Support From our Readers Motivates us Into New Year

In the December 2021 – January 2022 issue of Connect, your comprehensive source of LGBTQ+ information, we chat with The Aces. They are making a stop in Nashville at the Cannery Ballroom December 15.

Here we are — getting ready to end another year and begin anew. Reflecting on our first year with Connect, I’m overwhelmed by all the love and support we’ve received from the community. We are truly grateful for you all.

This year we published three digital issues packed full of stories from people in our community. We’re still in the middle of hosting our first ever Virtual HoliGAY Market. Next year, you can look for that to be an in-person event.

We attended all local Pride celebrations and endured the heat, the wind, the mud and the rain. If we could do it all over again, we’d probably stay home! 😂 In all seriousness, Lauren and I both love what we do and can’t wait to bring you even more in 2022.

Speaking of 2022, we are hosting our first annual Health Expo specifically designed to meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. This event will be held in March, which is also LGBT Health Awareness month. We have other events in the works as well, but I like to leave a little mystery so you’ll have to wait and see. More details to come so be sure to follow us on our social media channels and visit our website for current information on all of Connect’s events, virtual issues and news.

In this issue, we talk with The Aces who will be coming to the Cannery Ballroom on December 15. Be sure to get your tickets. We also highlight local artist, Anthony Lofties, who is a powerhouse of ideas. We take a trip to Kalamazoo, Michigan with Joey Amato who always finds the best places to go in every city he visits.

But the premise behind this issue is speaking to EQUALITY. Dez Stephens spoke with us about her journey into Accidental Activism and her fight for equality, not only in the US, but Honduras. And, Chris Sanders, Executive Director of the Tennessee Equality Project, implores a Call To Action for Tennesseans as the next legislative session begins in January. Last year, the Tennessee legislature passed several discriminatory bills. We can’t allow this to continue.

This is where YOU come in. Get involved in whatever way you can. There are so many different ways to volunteer with TEP and other organizations. As my good friend Terry Demars used to say: “Advocate Your Passion.”

Let’s do this and Let’s Connect!