Knoxville gay
We had a blast at Club XYZ, whose 20th anniversary is a joyful standout | Opinion
A 20-year anniversary is an remarkable feat in business. For a gay bar favor Club XYZ in Knoxville, it's unusual.
This story, admittedly, landed in our lap. The owner reached out after reading an unrelated business anniversary piece, a type of story that works for any type of establishment or institution with a major milestone. You see them all the time.
But as Knox News reporter Keenan Thomas began meeting more people, reading more stories and digging into the history of gay bars in America, it was evident: Club XYZ isn't just any business. It's a happy, hollerin' Knoxville institution and a haven for LGBTQ+ communities that hold been pushed to the margins for decades.
Go behind the scenes with Keenan in this Q&A that explains how the story came together, what he learned along the way and why Club XYZ "is for everybody."
Club XYZ: Why it's 'a privilege' to keep Knoxville's Queer bar scene alive for 20 years
This Q&A, conducted by business growth and development editor Ryan Wilusz, has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Knox News reporter Keenan Thomas on Club XYZ
Can you s -BIG ANNOUNCEMENT -- NEWS FLASH -- THIS JUST IN --BIG ANNOUNCEMENT -- NEWS FLASH -- THIS JUST IN --BIG ANNOUNCEMENT -- NEWS FLASH -- THIS JUST IN - KGMC's mission and vision is one of equality and inclusion. As we continue into our second decade, KGMC has announced a name alter to grow our family and better represent everyone in our community. Why Change? Since our founding, KGMC has grown with members travelling from as far away as North Georgia, Southern Virginia, and Chattanooga. We now hold weekly rehearsals both in Knoxville and the Tri-Cities to provide a home for more of our Appalachian community. Beyond geographic diversity, KGMC's membership includes a wide diversity of singers. Bisexual, trans, and ally members own become a significant part of our representation on stage--adding their voices to ours. Finally, KGMC's board, our staff, and our artists have for years included women. Their voices include daily to our ballad enabling KGMC to arrive more people, represent more perspectives, and accomplish more good. The Knoxville Gay Men's Chorus has now, for more than a decade announced to the nature both in name, anthem, and a Knoxville is a beautiful Tennessee municipality situated near the Amazing Smoky Mountains and offering an abundance of instinctive beauty. It is also well known for entity home to the University of Tennessee. Beyond that, however, it is also a city that is home to many businesses, a thriving arts and culture scene, many diverse neighborhoods, and much to see and do. Even better, it is a city with a vibrant and welcoming LGBT society where all can touch welcome and at residence. If you’re thinking of finding your next house in Knoxville, chances are, you’ll find plenty about it to love! A Glance at Knoxville's History Knoxville has a long and rich history. In truth, it was established as the capital of the Southwest Territory as lengthy ago as the administration of George Washington. It was there when Tennessee was founded and was in fact the capital of the state for the first 20 years of its existence. As the state grew, Knoxville did too, particularly after the arrival of the railroad which brought a great deal of industry to the city. As it grew, it also became increasingly diverse and today it is a thriving, welcoming, vibrant municipality where all can uncover “Y’all means ALL” courtesy of Taryn Ferro In 2012 the international LGBTQ Magazine The Advocate listed Knoxville as the “8th Gayest Capital in America” during its countdown of places to live or visit in the USA. While the criteria used to cause this list was viewed as pretty shaky (number of nude yoga studios & WNBA teams per capita?) and the general public both in and out of East Tennessee laughed off the announcement that Knoxville was a Queer Friendly place to live and visit, I am here to inform you that this mid-sized city is actually a pretty great place for LGBTQ+ people to see and call home. Here is a list of the many reasons why you should make Knoxville your next travel destination. Geography: Knoxville is the largest city in East Tennessee and is nestled in a large valley at the foot of the Smoky Mountains. Often viewed as a regional capital of sorts, Knoxville has been a major population center for about as long as people have been living in the Southern Appalachian area of the US. What this means for tourists is .
KGMC is now AEC
Knoxville LGBTQ City Guide
Y’all Means All – The Gay Scene in Knoxville
Gay Street in Downtown Knoxville courtesy of Tod Sheley