In 1989, a group of committed community members came together to create something that didn't yet exist—a safe, trusted space for LGBTQ+ people in Memphis. With your support, that vision became OUTMemphis-the oldest and largest LGBTQ+ center in the Mid-South, and one of the few brick-and-mortar centers of its kind in the South.

From those early days, OUTMemphis has been a catalyst for progress. We secured nonprofit status, launched enduring initiatives like Mid-South Pride and the Tennessee Equality Project, and opened our first permanent home on South Cooper in 2005. Over time, we added HIV prevention programs, emergency youth services, and grew our staff to meet rising need.

Still, the need outpaces the space.

Today, OUTMemphis operates four dorms in our Youth Empowerment Center, provides long-term housing to up to 30 people a year, and supports over 120 youth annually. Our Virginia Run Donation Center helps young adults with essentials, while our Community Center hosts programming for youth, parents, transgender adults, and seniors-plus a food pantry, healthcare access, and more.

Through it all, we've remained on the front lines of advocacy-locally and nationally-organizing, partnering, and showing up wherever we're needed.

And we're still growing. Still evolving. Still here, because of you.