THE PROJECT

Inclusion Tennessee is spearheading an initiative to create a community center that creates a welcoming and safe environment for LGBTQIA+ community members to belong and thrive. This includes connecting community members, aligning and creating relevant programming, addressing the existing gaps, and building resiliency among current LGBTQIA+ serving organizations. In addition to the goal of creating a physical and central community space,  Inclusion Tennessee also has the goal to develop mobile pop-up services that provide similar LGBTQIA+ safe and affirming services across Middle Tennessee. 

The Civic Design Center was hired by Inclusion Tennessee to conduct further community engagement and data collection to inform the future community center design features. Our first engagement events were at Nashville PRIDE where we hosted a booth to gather community feedback and share information about the project.

Where Are We Now?

Updated as of 8/19/22: Currently, the Civic Design Center was hired by Inclusion Tennessee to conduct further community engagement and data collection to inform the future community center design features. Recently, we have just conducted a Community Engagement meeting at Thistle Farms, with around 30+ people, both virtual and in person, participating in a feedback survey. Within the next few weeks, the Civic Design Center will be holding more meetings with professionals, advocates, and local activists. From now till the beginning of September, there’ll be multiple opportunities for community engagement and envisioning - resulting in a design package from the Design Center.

WHY DOES MIDDLE TN NEED A LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY CENTER?

As cities grow, the need for resources grows not only in the city but also in the region. When creating a healthy community, access to a variety of services, including health, wellness, education, and professional services can help communities thrive. Community Centers of all types help sustain the diversity and excitement of Nashville and provide access for residents that come from a variety of backgrounds. As Nashville continues to flourish, the diversity of the city demands proper resources for daily life, such as gathering safe spaces & health clinics for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Get Involved in Visioning

Every successful plan requires careful listening, robust community engagement, and coordination with stakeholders. Learn more about the engagement that has taken place to this point.