BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — In previous years Blount Pride organized festivals as summer turned into fall, celebrating and affirming the East Tennessee LGBTQ+ community. However, its 2023 festival attracted some attention from protestors and leaders.
The group filed a lawsuit after the Blount County Attorney General sent a letter saying an anti-drag law would be enforced at that festival. The Attorney General there said an injunction barring the law from being enforced is still in effect.
Following the events in 2023, the group struggled to find a venue for its 2024 festival. It could not come to an agreement with Maryville College or city leaders on a spot to use for the festival. Organizers and city leaders said the disagreements centered around security concerns.
So, Blount Pride is hosting a variety of events at different locations this year, scheduled throughout the end of August and into September. A list of those events, and descriptions of each, are available below.
Blount Pride is organizing an event at The Bird and The Book that gives local vendors and entertainers a chance to enjoy time together and get some shopping done. It starts at 3 p.m. and will continue until around 7 p.m.
Performers include Steph Cabell, Ash McDaniel, Cherry Blurr, JAQ and the Rock and Metal Academy. A variety of vendors also signed up to join in at the market, such as potter vendors, soapmakers, artists and plenty more. People will also be able to grab sweet treats from local bakers.
The Bird and The Book is located at 1509 East Broadway Avenue in Maryville.
To prepare for an upcoming visibility rally on Aug. 31, Blount Pride is giving people a chance to spend time together and make signs that celebrate and affirm LGBTQ+ identities. Blount Pride will provide some of the materials needs to make signs, and people are invited to bring their own as well.
It is set to go from 5 p.m. through 7 p.m. at the Creative Spark Studio, located at 2009 East Broadway Avenue in Maryville.
Blount Pride is planning to host a rally meant to affirm LGBTQ+ people across the region.
"August 31 was supposed to have been the date of the 2024 Blount Pride Festival. Instead, in response to the difficulties we have faced, we are hosting 'Can’t Hide Our Pride,' an LGBTQ+ visibility rally and demonstration," Blount Pride said on social media.
The event starts at 11 a.m. at the Sam Houston statue plaza in front of the Maryville Municipal Building, and organizers invited people to bring Pride flags and wear Pride gear. They also invited drag performers to attend, and organizers said some familiar faces may return to the event. Flamy Grant is expected to attend, a Christian artist and drag performer, according to organizers.
The rally will include speakers and music at the plaza. Afterward, Blount Pride said it would line the south sidewalk of Broadway through downtown Maryville as a demonstration of solidarity and visibility.
As part of Blount Pride's 2023 festival, the group organized a resource fair where attendees could connect with affirming organizations. Through it, people could find support for a variety of issues such as housing instability, childcare or faith-based issues. This year, the group is bringing back a resource fair and is hosting a variety of nonprofits.
This year it will include drag performances and live music. There will also be activities for youth, as well as a rainbow storytime.
It will be from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m. at the SkyView at Broadway Social, located at 101 East Broadway Avenue, Suite B.
Blount Pride is hosting representatives from different faiths for an event to discuss affirming spirituality on Sunday, Sept. 8. The group said Buddhists, pagans and affirming Christians from different congregations will participate in the event. It will include music, speakers, fellowship and snacks, according to organizers. They said the event is open to LGBTQ+ people and allies.
It will be from 2 p.m. through 3 p.m. at The Bird and the Book, located at 1509 East Broadway Avenue.
