The Bluff City is a point of pride for many people, with its history and inclusivity. And that pride extends to the LGBTQ+ community, which has many Memphians to thank for festivals, organizations, and trailblazing moments that have made this city what it is today. Here are some local LGBTQ+ figures who have shaped the 901 and made history for our community.
Vincent Astor
Chances are, if you’ve read any LGBTQ+ history about Memphis, Vincent Astor is the reason why. His efforts to preserve this city’s pride and history surrounding the gay community have shed light on various figures and organizations that have made this city more inclusive. You can read some of his work here.
Rev. Steve Montgomery, Jody Powers, William Carey, and Dr. Cathy Chapman
On October 1, 1989, Memphis reached a significant milestone with the launch of its first LGBTQ+ community hub, the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center (MGLCC). The organization was established by a group of key individuals, including Rev. Steve Montgomery, Jody Powers, William Carey, and Dr. Cathy Chapman, who envisioned a welcoming and supportive space for LGBTQ+ individuals. From its earliest days, MGLCC offered vital resources, social services, and support groups tailored to the community’s needs. Over time, it became a leading voice for advocacy in Memphis and reintroduced itself as OUTMemphis in 2012. This moment signaled a shift in both visibility and grassroots organizing, helping ensure that LGBTQ+ Memphians would continue to have a dedicated space within their community. You can read about the organization’s work here.
Terrell Buckner
As the organizer of the first Memphis Black Gay Pride, Terrell Buckner created an event in the mid-90s meant to bring people together and give them somewhere they feel at home. This festival has grown exponentially through the years and is now known as Tri-State Black Pride.
Kayla Rena Gore and Illyahna C. Wattshall
These founders of My Sistah’s House aim to “bridge a gap in services for trans and queer people of color (TQPOC) in Memphis, TN” by providing safe, emergency housing, advocacy, and resource assistance through the building of tiny homes around the 901. You can visit their website to donate if you’d like to support their efforts.
Gwendolyn Clemons
Gwendolyn is a proud queer woman dedicated to empowering others in the LGBTQ+ community through the nonprofit efforts at Relationships Unleashed. This organization aims to focus on issues related to HIV/AIDS and transgender people, and she co-founded this nonprofit with her son, Davin Clemons, in 2014. You can visit their website and support them here.
