LGBTQ Community Events in Tennessee

McKenna L. Cox graduated Magna cum Laude from Wofford College with a Bachelor’s degree in English, Spanish, and Latin American Studies. She holds a Master’s Degree in Romance Languages and Literature from UNC-Chapel Hill and is fluent in Spanish. McKenna received her J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2005 with a concentration in Advocacy. McKenna has over a decade of experience in family law, domestic violence, mediation, powers of attorney, immigration, conservatorships, and litigation practice. She is a Rule 31 listed family mediator in the State of Tennessee. McKenna is also a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and the Catholic Charities CLINIC program for representation of victims of crime in immigration cases. She is member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Federal Bar Association and its Immigration Law Section, the Tennessee Bar Association, the LGBT Bar Association, is the past Vice President and Pro Bono Coordinator of the Washington County Bar Association, sat on the Board of Legal Aid of East Tennessee, and is currently a member of the Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Johnson City, TN. McKenna has lived in Santiago, Chile and has travelled throughout Central and South America as well as Spain, the rest of Europe, parts of Asia, and most of North America.

We are just heading off our support group. We are online until we find a building. I hope you can join us for our first meeting!

The Office of LGBTQIA+ Concerns at Vanderbilt Divinity School represents a vital student organization within Vanderbilt University's Nashville, TN campus, dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals navigating theological education. This student-centered office embodies a commitment to visibility, inclusion, and community building among those whose identities have historically been marginalized within religious institutions. By providing a dedicated space and organized voice, the office affirms that LGBTQIA+ individuals belong within divinity school communities and deserve recognition, support, and full participation in all aspects of institutional life. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this organization serves as both a support network and an advocacy platform for LGBTQIA+ students at Vanderbilt Divinity School. The office recognizes that students bring their whole selves to their theological studies and ministerial preparation, and that affirming their identities strengthens the entire community. Through peer connection, resource sharing, and collaborative engagement, the organization builds solidarity among LGBTQIA+ students while also working to educate the broader divinity school population about inclusion and acceptance. The Office of LGBTQIA+ Concerns embodies Vanderbilt University's values of diversity and inclusion, demonstrating that theological education can be both rigorous and affirming. The organization's existence and work signal to LGBTQIA+ students that they are welcome, valued, and supported in their spiritual journeys. By fostering community among students with shared experiences and identities, the office contributes meaningfully to a more just and inclusive future for religious leadership and theological scholarship.

VUSNPride represents the vibrant student community at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville, Tennessee, reflecting the institution's deep commitment to fostering belonging, collaboration, and authentic engagement among its nursing students. As a student organization embedded within one of the nation's most respected nursing schools, VUSNPride embodies the values that define Vanderbilt's educational mission: excellence, kindness and civility, connectedness, and integrity with trust. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing has served as a daring and innovative leader in nursing education for 115 years, building a legacy grounded in scientific discovery, evidence-based care, and lifelong learning. The school's mission centers on advancing health equity and well-being while preparing nurses to become transformational leaders in healthcare. This commitment to excellence extends to creating an inclusive environment where students of diverse backgrounds and perspectives thrive together. Located in Nashville, a city consistently recognized as one of the world's most vibrant health care hubs, Vanderbilt's nursing students benefit from exposure to dynamic clinical settings and collaborative relationships with healthcare experts. The school's values-driven approach emphasizes removing barriers to community, celebrating interconnectedness, and encouraging authenticity among all members of the nursing community. Through organizations like VUSNPride, students find connection and support while developing the compassion, clinical reasoning, and leadership skills essential to transforming healthcare. The collaborative culture at Vanderbilt School of Nursing ensures that every student experiences belonging from day one through graduation and beyond. Faculty, staff, and fellow students actively invest in each other's success, sharing expertise, resources, and support. This interconnected community extends far beyond the classroom, creating lifelong professional networks and a shared commitment to advancing the nursing profession globally. VUSNPride exemplifies this spirit of community, connection, and pride in being part of the Vanderbilt nursing legacy.