LGBTQ Driving

From community centers, support groups, and feminist bookstores to drag bars, gay discos, and one of the last lesbian bars in the country, Nashville has a diverse LGBTQ history—reaching all the way back to the Civil War! Today we’ll explore all of these things, and meet some of the trailblazers who opened Nashville’s first gay bars, organized the first Pride gatherings, and even affected national policy. Welcome to the Nashville Sites LGBTQ History Tour!

This tour is a collaboration between Nashville Sites and Nashville Queer History, and was funded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Telling the Full History Preservation Fund. The narrative was co-written by Sarah Calise, founder of Nashville Queer History, Jessica Reeves, a public historian with the Nashville Historical Foundation, and Kayleigh Whitman, Nashville Sites Assistant Director of Tours. A number of volunteers with Nashville Queer History assisted with the photos and research. And I am Marisa Richmond—your narrator and guide. I’m a member of the Nashville Historical Foundation and an out and proud member of Nashville’s transgender community. I currently teach History and Women's and Gender Studies at Middle Tennessee State University, and I’d like to welcome you to this LGBTQ History tour of Nashville.

As a reminder, this is a driving tour so don’t navigate with or use your phone while driving. You will make fourteen stops total, and we will tell you where to park for each. At each stop, you can listen and learn from your car or get out, walk around, and enter local establishments. Also be sure to tag us on social media @NashvilleSites and @NashvilleQueerHistory and consider supporting Nashville Sites by clicking on the donate button at the end of the tour.

So without further ado, buckle up, crank up the car, and let the adventure begin! And just so you know, the first stop involves some walking if you are mobile. We suggest parking at the Nashville Public Library Garage located at 151 6th Avenue North. The first hour and a half is free if you validate your parking receipt inside. To reach the first part of the stop, make your way to the corner of 7th Avenue North and Commerce Street. Look for “The Jungle and Juanita’s” historical marker.

Begin the tour at 715 Commerce Street, and the historical marker at the former site of The Jungle and Juanita’s.