Steve’s motivation ran deep and was driven by a kind of contemplative spirituality that understood that his liberation was intertwined with the liberation of everyone who was struggling. Instead of numbing out, disconnecting, or becoming cynical or apathetic, he acted. Even though he had the privilege to sit back, he leaned in.

As we honor Pride, the unfortunate truth is that it’s becoming even more dangerous to be out in Tennessee — especially for our friends on the streets. National data show us that LGBTQIA+ youth and adults are much more likely to experience homelessness and discrimination. Recent state legislation and the federal proposal to eliminate housing discrimination protections are making normal living as a queer or trans person in Tennessee more difficult and dangerous. National Allian

The 2026 Tennessee legislative session brought a collection of bills with potential to impact housing access, tenants’ rights, and homelessness locally and state-wide. As we've learned, legislative moves can have deep and long-lasting impacts on people experiencing homelessness.