inclusion tennessee is an organization with a mission to connect people, opportunities, and resources to enrich and enhance the lives of the multifaceted LGBTQIA+ community. Our organization was officially formed in August 2021, following a year-long community needs assessment conducted in 2019 to better understand the needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community throughout Middle Tennessee.
The organization was founded by our current Executive Director, phil cobucci, and thirteen community members. In the face of uncertainty brought about by the pandemic, and increasing assaults on black, brown, queer + transgender individuals, the diminishing of Latinè LGBTQ+ people, the criminalization of our friends experiencing homelessness, failed support mechanisms for mental health needs, the rabid increase in gun violence, and the overall lack of belonging for the most marginalized, these community leaders felt the need to act. They envisioned an organization that would focus on justice and liberation for all people, especially those who are part of our LGBTQIA+ community. Following months of research, conversation, and community engagement, inclusion tennessee was born.
inclusion tennessee engages in a variety of efforts from youth programming to older adult peer support groups and resources, health and wellness initiatives, networking groups, health awareness initiatives, testing programs, sexual education, and a comprehensive suite of services for transgender and gender-expansive individuals. The organization is constantly assessing how to best serve the queer community throughout the region through various modalities of research and community engagement to ensure that community input is at the core of the program The aim is to promote justice and equity for our trans, queer, black, brown, and gold communities throughout the state by collaborating with those who share a bold vision of a future where liberation is championed.
In terms of recent accomplishments, six months after our public launch in January of 2023 during the height of significant legislative attacks on the queer and trans communities across Tennessee, the South, and the country, Inclusion Tennessee answered a call to serve. We activated support programming for transgender and gender-expansive families to access out-of-state care in partnership with the Campaign for Southern Equality. We also developed a drag support fund for entertainers whose livelihoods were threatened by legislation. Further, In partnership with multiple agencies, we organized rallies, protests, phone banks, vigils, and community events to support our most marginalized members during a great time of need.
As the organization continued to grow over the last year, our programs expanded to embrace the lives of all different identities and lived experiences within our rainbow community. We desire to see everyone have the opportunity to flourish, so we can gather safely — and thrive in communities that are built around acceptance, love, and support.
Our vision is clear: To live in a place where everyone belongs and thrives. Everyday our work continues to be driven by this vision.
