2026: What We Accomplished Together

A Letter from the Board of Directors of Nashville Pride

One year ago, we found ourselves at a crossroads.

After losing more than $250,000 in funding, many questioned what the future of Nashville Pride would look like. As an organization, we were forced to ask difficult questions about sustainability, growth and what Pride should look like in a changing world.

When we launched the Save Nashville Pride campaign in August 2025, you answered that call. In just three months, nearly 1,000 individual donors came together to raise more than $145,000, while supporters pledged an additional $150,000 in organizational support for the 2026 festival and parade. Those contributions reaffirmed something we've always believed: Pride belongs to the community and it’s worth saving.

At the 2026 Nashville Pride Parade and Festival, more than 65,000 people gathered to celebrate, connect and build community. We launched a new festival layout and expanded parade route, creating a one-day festival experience while expanding weeklong programming and partnerships with community organizations to bring Pride to more neighborhoods and spaces across Nashville.

With a new layout to maximize impact, our festival included more than 225 vendors and 120+ volunteers, featured three entertainment stages, and celebrated local artists, performers and community organizations that reflect the incredible diversity of Middle Tennessee. Our parade returned with an expanded parade route, featuring 114 entries representing businesses, nonprofits, faith communities, schools, advocacy organizations and chosen families marching side by side down Broadway alongside thousands of spectators. 

Pride is more than a festival. It is an ongoing act of building community.

This year also marked a renewed commitment to collaboration. We hosted new events, strengthened longtime relationships and created space for more voices, more stories and more ways to celebrate our community. From the Community Altar hosted by Mash!Up to featuring local, queer house DJ sets at HOTHAUS at the Stonewall stage, a reimagined Kids & Family area, new Pool Party, plus so much more — this year illustrated the power of community. 

We also know that building community requires intentional dialogue and listening.

Earlier this year, we launched our Community Survey to better understand the experiences, needs and hopes of the community. We share the initial findings and next steps for collaboration here. From expanding Pride Week programming and elevating local artists to strengthening our digital presence and deepening community partnerships, your feedback is directly shaping the future of Nashville Pride.

If you haven't yet shared your voice, we invite you to continue the conversation. Our survey remains open, and we encourage you to read our initial findings, explore our next steps and help us build what comes next.

The work of Nashville Pride does not begin or end with one weekend each June.

Throughout the year, we organize events, cultivate partnerships, advocate for our community and create spaces where LGBTQ+ people can experience joy, connection and belonging. In a time when our community continues to face unprecedented challenges, creating those spaces is not only an act of celebration—it is an act of resilience.

As we look toward 2027, our focus is clear. We will continue building a more sustainable organization. We will deepen partnerships throughout Nashville. And we will continue inviting our community into every step of the journey.

None of this happens without you.

Whether you attended an event, marched in the parade, volunteered your time, partnered with us, donated, sponsored our work or simply believed that Nashville Pride deserves to thrive, thank you. If you’re interested in volunteering, click here. If you’d like to donate directly to Nashville Pride, click here.

The story of Nashville Pride has never been about one organization or one year. It has always been about a community that continues to choose one another time and time again.

Thank you for helping build what we accomplished together.

With gratitude and in pride,

The Nashville Pride Board of Directors