Memphis is low key location with gay and lesbian population less visible than cities. However, visitors can find this spot situated on the banks of Mississippi River remarkable. The attractions are outstanding that they will need minimum 3 days to cover only the best ones. The LGBT visitors must not expect high octane night-life scene like in New Orleans or Atlanta but there are some fun bars.
Every October, Memphis hosts gay pride event called Mid-South Pride [October] and Memphis Black Pride [June]. You also cannot miss the Outflix Film festival that is organized by the gays and lesbians to empower, connect, educate and advocate Mid-south LGBT community.
The LGBT community in Memphis have significant roles on revitalizing eclectic neighborhoods like the funky cooper-young and Midtown. Subscribe with We Are Memphis events newsletter to discover pride happenings, so as to donate, perform, volunteer, etc.
Major Memphis Events
First week of Jan – Graceland hosts Elvis Presley’s birthday week
May – The Beale Street Music Festival, the Memphis Film Festival and plethora of music, fun and BBQ events
September – The Outflix LGBT Film Festival, Cooper Young Festival, Mid-South Gay Pride
November – The Indie Memphis Film Festival
To get around
You will need a car to explore few key museums and beyond downtown Memphis. Retail scene and gay nightlife is in Midtown, which is twenty minutes’ drive towards east from downtown. Airport is also a twenty minutes’ drive from South east of downtown. The airport is served by every major airline as the city is FedEx headquarters.
Visitor’s resources
LGBT online and print resources are produced thoughtfully, focused on mid-south news, community, culture, events, and many other problems crucial to the surrounding region and city’s community.
The OUT & ABOUT is a gay newspaper that offers some statewide coverage. Local website of the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center and Memphis flyer are alternative news resources.
Memphis music heritage
- Downtown tour to Memphis Rock and Soul Museum reveals rich music history.
- Gibson Guitar Factory is also a must explore spot.
- Beale Street is lined with restaurants and live music clubs that specialize in Blues, R&B and Jazz.
- The Center for Southern Folklore Hall & Galleries near the gorgeous Peabody Hotel exhibit the Mississippi Delta regions music, food, craft and culture.
- The National Civil Rights Museum is a motel, where Dr. King got killed and underwent major renovation. Here tourists can explore every aspect related to Civil Rights Movement along with memorable displays.
- Other fascinating but less popular museum is Metal Museum.
- Visit the Mud Island River Park and on the last downtown section is popular gay lounge called Mollie Fontaine. Along Union Ave, you will pass Sun Studio.
- In Mid-town, Cooper Young is home to the city’s LGBT Community Center.
- The Overton Park is popular amongst the gay sun bunnies.
Gay friendly hotels
- Peabody Hotel is classy and member of International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association.
- The River Inn of Harbor Town is on the calm Mud Island overlooking Mississippi River. It is on gay friendly property.
- Talbot Heirs is also a tiny gay friendly lodging offering personal and offbeat experience.
- For budget options there is Rodeway Inn, Holiday Inn, Westin Memphis, and Madison Hotel.