Tina Tousignant at the Lipstick Lounge
Tina Tousignant has a day job, but serving in the volunteer position of president of Nashville Pride is what she calls her “gay job.”
Tousignant got involved with Nashville Pride four years ago, when she became an empty-nester. As the president this year — Pride presidents serve one-year terms — she hopes to bring mom energy to those who need it.
“The benefits are seeing someone smile, seeing someone run up to you and talk to you and ask you questions,” Tousignant tells the Scene. “Or they need help, and you know how to help them or where to direct them — and that just makes you feel really good. I love that part the most.”
Tousignant says the organization is especially in need of donations this year, because a handful of sponsors have backed out. (Nashville CARES has stayed on as presenting sponsor.) Some former sponsors have told her it’s because of funding cuts, while others say they’re cutting back due to fear of blowback related to the federal government’s anti-DEI initiatives. (President Donald Trump demanded that entities receiving federal funding end such programs earlier this year.)
This year will be the first that Nashville Pride offers a Friday night concert. Kim Petras will headline the Friday stage, with 4 Non Blondes and Big Freedia headlining Saturday and Sunday, respectively. In all, 140 acts are set to play three stages, including a drag stage that is “busting at the seams,” Tousignant tells the Scene. More than 225 vendors will line the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park for the event. Grand marshals for this year’s parade are married couple Abby Wambach (a National Soccer Hall of Famer) and author Glennon Doyle, in addition to Americana artist and recent Scene cover star Joy Oladokun.
The Nashville Pride Festival takes place for just one weekend per year, but Nashville Pride seeks to plan at least one event per month. The organization also offers guidance and support for Pride celebrations across Tennessee.
“I always ask other people, ‘What more can we do? What do you need? What can we help with?’” says Tousignant. “Because that’s what Nashville Pride is here for. We’re not here just for the festival. We’re here for our community all year long. And if any other nonprofit or smaller Pride needs help, we’re there to help them.”
Bicentennial is in view of the Tennessee State Capitol. Inside that historic building, state legislators have a history of introducing legislation targeting the LGBTQ community, including an attempt during this year’s now-concluded legislative session recognizing marriage as being only between one man and one woman. (That legislation ultimately stalled.) In 2023, the state banned gender-affirming care for minors — legislation that was upheld by a U.S. Supreme Court decision this month. The Supreme Court declined this year to take up the appeal of a Tennessee law banning “adult” drag performances from public property or in locations where they could be viewed by a minor. (Drag performances will be family-friendly with clean music, Tousignant confirms.)
Having lived in Tennessee since she was a teen, Tousignant says the trend of anti-LGBTQ legislation just makes her want to stay and fight.
“The path was wide open, and now it’s gotten narrow and closed with negativity, bigotry and racism,” she says. “I want to help all the other people in our community and the advocates to walk straight ahead and widen that path back open so the young people have a clear path to the future, and they can live happily and secure.”
The festival has a clear-bag policy and plenty of security that will keep any protesters at bay.
“We always make sure that we can keep the haters out of the fenced area, which is our safe space,” Tousignant says.
Talking to the Nashville Pride president, highlighting the best of the Nashville Pride Festival and more
