The City of Knoxville is committed to the equal rights and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) residents, workers and visitors. We aim to create a safe, accountable, inclusive and welcoming community so all Knoxville residents feel represented, respected and appreciated.


MAYOR'S LGBTQ+ LIAISON 

The Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Liaison works closely with LGBTQ+ groups and individuals to hear concerns and to share information through outreach and public education. The Liaison advises the Mayor on LGBTQ+ policy and other issues on the local, state and national levels. If you have suggestions or concerns about LGBTQ+ issues in Knoxville, please contact the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Liaison.

Josie Russell
LGBTQ+ Liaison to the Mayor
PARC Community Manager
City County Building 
400 Main St. - Rm. 532
Knoxville, TN  37902
[email protected]
865-215-3966


KNOXVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT LGBT LIAISON 

The purpose of the Knoxville Police Department’s LGBTQ+ Liaison is to strengthen the relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and the Police Department. By establishing an ongoing dialogue, the Liaison hears directly from community members about concerns, works collaboratively with the community to identify solutions, and educates about recommended safety measures and available resources. The LGBTQ+ Liaison also serves as an internal resource for KPD on issues of inclusiveness.

Officer Phyllis Tonkin
Knoxville Police Department LGBTQ+ Liaison
Public Safety Complex
1650 Huron St.
Knoxville, TN 37917
[email protected]
865-215-7479

CITY & LOCAL COVERAGE

• Mayor Kincannon participated in the Knox Pride Parade - WBIR-TV October 2023
• Knox Pride Parade Returns to Downtown Knoxville - KnoxNews.com October 2023
• Mayor Kincannon attended the SoKno Pride Festival - June 2023
• Mayor Kincannon recognized June and Pride month with a proclamation and attended the SoKno Pride festival. - June 2022
• Amid protestors, Mayor Kincannon attended “A Drag Queen Christmas” at the Tennessee Theatre in downtown Knoxville in support of the LGBTQ+ community after a year when the Tennessee State Legislatures attempted to ban drag shows. - WATE-TV December 2022 
• Pride Fest and parade moved to October by event organizers and held with COVID restrictions. Mayor Kincannon attended the events and posted support on social media. - October 2022
• Knoxville's first annual South Side Pride event kicks off with support of Mayor Kincannon - WBIR-TV June 2021
• Community Agency Grants were awarded to the Knoxville Gay Men’s Chorus, Knox Pride, and Positively Living in support of LGBTQ+ Community outreach and support services. - FY 2020/2021 through 2023/2024
• Knox Pride Fest and Pride Parade was cancelled by event organizers. Mayor Kincannon recognized Pride month through social media posts and lighting the Henley Pedestrian Bridge in rainbow colors. - June 2020 and 2021
• COVID – Most public events were cancelled or limited due to restrictions. Government action was focused on COVID related activities. - 2020
• City's 2019 Knox Pride Parade & Festival Photo Gallery - June 2019
• 2019 Knox Pride Photo Galleries - June 2019
• Knoxville PrideFest through the years - Knoxnews.com June 2019
• Mayor Rogero releases response to statements made by Knox County Sheriff's Detective Grayson Fritts - June 2019
• Mayors Madeline Rogero, Glenn Jacobs denounce Detective Grayson Fritts' anti-LGBTQ comments - Knoxnews.com June 2019
• Knox County Sheriff denounces detective's 'vile and hate-filled' sermon at county commission meeting - WBIR.com June 2019
• Pride Month: Everything you need to know about LGBTQ events in Knoxville - Knoxnews.com June 2019
• Y'all Means All - The Gay Scene in Knoxville - VisitKnoxville.com May 2019
• 2018 Knox Pride Photo Galleries - June 2018
• 13th Knoxville PrideFest attracts large crowds - WBIR.com June 2018
• Rainbows, glitter decorate Knoxville for Pridefest, protesters respond - UTDailyBeacon.com June 2018
• Knoxville PrideFest predicted to be largest in event history - WATE.com June 2018
• Knoxville PrideFest 2018: 10 Things to Know - Knoxnews.com June 2018
• Knoxville Pride Parade Brings Rainbow of Color to Gay Street - Knoxnews.com June 2017
• Knoxville PrideFest shows its colors - UTDailyBeacon.com June 2017
• Hundreds Attend Vigil in Knoxville on Anniversary of Pulse Nightclub Shooting - Knoxnews.com June 2017
• Knoxville PrideFest Draws Record Numbers in Wake of Orlando Shooting - Knoxnews.com - June 2016
• One Year Later, Same-Sex Marriages an Everyday Occurrence in East Tennessee - Knoxnews.com - June 2016
• Positively Living Presents 'Julia Tucker Award' to Mayor Rogero - March 2016
• KPD Technical Services Unit Honored For Work on Anti-Bullying Campaign - July 2015
• Mayor Releases Statement on Supreme Court Marriage Ruling - June 2015
• Knoxvillians Celebrate Supreme Court's Same-Sex Marriage Ruling - KnoxMercury.com - June 2015
• Hundreds Attend Knoxville PrideFest Parade - June 2015
• City's 2015 Knox Pride Parade & Festival Photo Gallery - June 2015
• Video of Mayor Rogero on Same-Sex Marriage - KnoxNews.com - April 2015
• KPD Safety Education Unit Awarded Special Citation for Anti-Bullying Campaign - August 2014
• KPD Sponsors Take A Stand Against Bullying Event April 17 - March 2014
• City Expands Employee Benefits to Include Domestic Partners - October 2013
• Fair Housing Workshop Highlights LGBT Rights - September 2012
• Mayor Rogero Tells Knoxville Pride Revelers: 'It's OK to Say Gay' - Huffington Post - June 2012
• Mayor Rogero Becomes First Mayor to Participate in Knoxville PrideFest - June 2012
• City Proposes Expansion of Non-Discrimination Policies - April 2012


COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, LOCAL RESOURCES & NATIONAL RESOURCES

LOCAL

• ACLU Tennessee LGBT Equality
• ACLU Tennessee LGBT Youth Resource Center
• Contact Care Line
• GLSEN
• Knox Boyz of East Tennessee
• Knox Girlz of East Tennessee 
• Knoxville Gay Men's Discussion Group 
• Appalachian Equality Chorus (formerly Knoxville Gay Men's Chorus)
• Knox Pride
• Hope Center Covenant Health 
• Lesbian Social Group
• McNabb Crisis Unit
• Pellissippi Pride
• Positively Living
• SOFFAs of East Tennessee Transgenders
• Tennessee Equality Project
• Tennessee Open for Business Members
• UTK Pride Center  |  Resources

NATIONAL

• Bisexual Resource Center
• CDC LGBT Youth Resources
• Equality Federation
• GLAAD  |  Community Resources  |  Reference Guide
• Human Rights Campaign
• Lambda Legal
• Matthew Shepard Foundation
• National Center for Lesbian Rights
• National Center for Transgender Equality
• National LGBTQ Task Force
• PFLAG