LGBT culture in Nashville consists of the LGBT friendliness, resources, communities, activities for the LGBT community in Nashville and the surrounding areas.
Some longstanding resources include the Nashville Association of Professional People (NAPP) in 1998 and Diversity Builder, Inc. a local resource organization for referrals and LGBTQIA+ training company. NAPP later evolved into the TN Pride Chamber and a member of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce in 2007. See Certified LGBT Business Enterprise below.
Each year, since 2012, The Human Rights Campaign rates cities based on five attributes that a city may or may not have, non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and the city leadership's public position on LGBTQ equality. In 2019, they rated 506 cities, Nashville being one of them. Nashville scored higher than average (60 points out of 100), with 70 points out of 100. The city ranked the highest out of the eight cities that were ranked in Tennessee, which included Chattanooga, Clarksville, Franklin, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis, Murfreesboro, and Nashville.
As a result of the partnership between OkCupid and Trulia in 2017 cities across the United States were given a "Pride Score" that determined the most LGBT friendly communities on a point-based scale. The highest Pride Score in Nashville was given to zip code 37206, an area that largely consists of East Nashville.
Along with East Nashville, Church Street is commonly known as "the center of gay life in Nashville." 2nd/4th Avenues are also considered LGBT friendly parts of Nashville.
Cafe Coco is 24-hour LGBT friendly cafe that serves a varied menu, including coffee, beer, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and desserts.
Canvas is a small gay-friendly bar on Church Street that holds up to 85 people. The bar features a small menu and quirky decor accented by warm lighting.
D'Andrews is an LGBT-owned bakery and cafe certified by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The bakery/cafe is known for their build-your-own salad bar and their house-made dressings.
Lipstick Lounge is a lesbian-owned, predominantly, lesbian/girl bar in East Nashville.
The Turnip Truck is an LGBT-owned natural grocer certified by the LGBT Business Enterprise.
Nashville businesses whose owners are members the LGBT community have the opportunity to become certified with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce through the local Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce. , Nashville's LGBTBEs are as follows:
inclusion Tennessee is a community services organization founded in 2021 with the goal of developing a new LGBTQIA+ Community Center for Nashville. They offer a variety of community programs for all ages.
Nashville in Harmony is a diverse and inclusive choir.
Oasis Center is a youth center. Their Just Us program focusses on supporting and advocating for LGBT youth in Nashville.
Nashville LGBT Gaymers is a Facebook community of LGBT gamers within the Nashville area.
Nashville Pride is an annual pride festival held in Nashville that includes a parade, vendors, and performances from music artists and other performers.
Nashville Black Pride hosts several annual pride events specifically for black members of the LGBT community, although all races and sexualities/orientations are welcome.
HotMess Sports is an LGBT sports league that plays a variety of sports such as dodgeball, kickball, and volleyball.
MNSA is the local softball league and member of the national iPride organization. MNSA has teams spanning multiple divisions based on skill level, competing each Spring and Fall. Additionally, they play host to the Music City Classic Tournament each July where teams from across the US are invited to compete.