Author

Lonnie Lee Hood
Lonnie Lee Hood is a queer Nashville-based writer covering justice, LGBTQ issues and more. They are an amateur roller-skater and live with their hedgehog, Noodle, and three-legged cat, Tom. They are writing a debut novel and have published poetry and sci-fi/fantasy short stories.
In-person voting rule challenges Rutherford County voter ill with COVID-19
By: Lonnie Lee Hood - August 14, 2020
On July 29, Brittney Whidden received a phone call from the Rutherford County Election Commission. While her husband’s absentee ballot had been approved, hers would not be. Whidden pushed back, and the election commission made an exception. Whidden, who tested positive for COVID-19 and is recovering, received her ballot via mail July 31, but reached […]
Students work to better Black history and slavery education in TN
By: Lonnie Lee Hood - August 6, 2020
When Mariah Toennies was temporarily on crutches and sitting out of gym class, she said she was able to speak with her teacher at Nolensville High School a little more than usual. During one conversation her teacher learned Toennies was adopted by a white family, and that her birth father was black. Toennies said her […]
Living conditions at Tennessee drive-through safari raise red flags
By: Lonnie Lee Hood and Matt Bastin - August 3, 2020
On any given day at the Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo, visitors in vehicles line the gravel driveway for several hundred yards, snaking past the entrance, down the road, and doubling back again to finally enter the park. Once inside the park visitors can drive through 5.5 miles of safari trail and feed a variety […]
Foster care organization for LGBTQ youth launches
By: Lonnie Lee Hood - July 13, 2020
Just months after Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a new bill prohibiting gay couples from adopting, the state is getting a new foster care organization exclusively serving LGBTQ+ homeless youth. True You TN is in the beginning stages of opening, having just acquired their 501(c)3 and preparing to fundraise. The group, founded by Executive Director […]