More Gay-Friendly Businesses In Tucson

Antigone Books

Exterior of Antigone BooksAntigone Books was founded in 1973 as a predominantly lesbian-owned feminist bookstore. This was at a time when there were more than fifty independent bookstores in Tucson. In the decades since the number of indie bookstores in the city has dwindled. Still Antigone Books has remained a pillar of the local book-loving community, expanding our mission to be a community bookstore with feminist roots. Although ownership has changed hands a couple of times since we originally opened in the 70s, we’ve remained women-run from the start. The current owners and long-time Antigone Books employees Kate, Melissa, and Morgan took over in 2018. They have expanded the store’s selection of books, gifts, and cards while remaining true to the store’s original focus on the recently-published boundary-pushing literature.

The Store

We keep a circulating stock of Pride supplies on hand throughout the year. From flags representing all identities across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum to dog- and cat-themed rainbow stickers. We also maintain a thriving queer literature section (see photos!), where we keep classic gay, trans, lesbian, and ace titles in stock. Readers can find everything on our shelves from LGBTQIA+ children’s books and YA fiction to queer graphic novels and LGBTQIA+ non-fiction. We also get regular issues of Sinister Wisdom and RFD as well as the latest lesbian romances from Bella and Bold Stroke Books. Whatever we don’t have in stock we’re happy to order for our customers at no extra charge! You can place orders in our store, over the phone, or online and we can get most titles in within a week.

Though our events program is on hold indefinitely due to COVID-19, pre-pandemic we were home to seven local book clubs and we featured regular book signings, author readings, and we had just begun to host Drag Queen Story Hours. We look forward to supporting our community with these and more exciting options in the near future; keep an eye on our website for updates! We also run a local authors consignment program for Tucson writers whose books are self-published or not available through major book distributors. We’re always looking for new voices, so definitely reach out if you’re interested after checking out the “Consignment” page on our website. In addition, we proudly carry local free periodicals of the Tucson queer community such as the 55+ LGBT newsletter Senior Forum and the Tucson Pride guide. Whether you’re new to town or a regular search for that perfect book, we’re excited to welcome you!

REVIEW:

“LOVE Antigone Books! This is generally my first stop if I’m looking for gifts or a physical book. Love their selection of adult coloring books, blank journals, cookbooks, and local authors. Their feminist and LGBTQ+ selection is also pretty impressive. And, they host a few book discussion groups. The staff is always friendly, and I like the sense of community.”

-Ginger, ***** Google Review

STORE INFO:

Company Name: Antigone Books

Office Address: 411 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705

Phone (s): (520) 792-3715

Website: www.antigonebooks.com

Office hours: Tues-Sat 10-5; Sun 11-4; closed Mondays

Roma Imports

Roma Imports
Roma Imports

Roma Imports

Lets talk about lunch.

Go to Roma Imports and have some of the best Italian food in Tucson.

Roma Imports is an Italian food import store with a little restaurant in the back. Nothing fancy, but absolutely Italy-icious!

I like to eat lunch there and then take home some of the home made hot Italian sausage. They have one that is really hot.

They always have incredible antipasta’s, cheeses, desserts, pastas and just about anything Italian your heart may desire.

I don’t know the owner but I do like the people who work there. The reason I’m telling you about them is because I’m Italian and everyone should know good Italian food, gay or not.

Tell them Tony Ray sent you and have a great lunch.

Roma Imports
Roma Imports

Roma Imports

627 S. Vine
Tucson, AZ 85719
520-792-3173
www.RomaImports.com
Roma Imports

& Gallery

& Gallery is owned and overseen by East Sleep Work and is an art gallery unlike any other in Tucson. While many galleries here focus on Southwest fine art & Gallery takes an entirely different approach. Here you will find zines, sequential art, low brow art, anime, and so much more. They showcase local Arizona artists and give them a place to shine that’s off the beaten path.

A New Beginning

& Gallery Interior
& Gallery Interior
In 2019 the &G moved from its small space at Grand and Stone to 4th avenue, the hub of downtown Tucson. Since its grand reopening, the gallery has put on numerous exhibitions showcasing local talent and forward-thinking artists. Its mission is to not only lift up locals but offer them a safe space to showcase their art. Tucson itself is touted as a queer-inclusive city but it’s important to & Gallery to actually take action and do the work. While all are welcome only those with good intentions get to stay. Cynthia Naugle is the gallery manager, event coordinator, and social media maven. Through her connections in the community, she continues to put on exciting events and brings new opportunities to artists who formally only had an online audience.
“One of our big missions here is to amplify artists. We want to make sure we’re taking our artists to the next level. I love our group shows and we can do them all the time but if we’re not pushing you to be better, for each piece to be better… well we’ve just got to have that growth.” -Cynthia Naugle
Aside from regular group shows and exhibitions, this gallery offers tons of merchandise. From original artwork to prints and stickers there’s something for everyone at reasonable prices. Print and photography services are also available and if they can’t do it they will point you to the people who can.
& Gallery
& Gallery shot by Velvet & Shadow
Networking nights are something new &G is trying out. Each meetup will have a theme, such as musicians or digital artists but all are welcome to attend. Getting the right information and tools to artists is just as important as getting the art made. The gallery is building a beautiful artists community here in Tucson and everyone should drop in and check them out.

Contact Details

Company Name: & Gallery Office Address: 419 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705 Contact Name: Cynthia Naugle Phone: (520) 258-8451 Pricing: varies Website: https://www.andgallery.art/ Office hours: Open 12-6 pm Thursday-Monday Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
& Gallery Anime
& Gallery Anime

Candid Sol Wedding Photography

Candid Sol Wedding Photography
Owner: Angie Roberts
(520) 302-5338
www.candidsol.net
Google Reviews

Wedding photography that is true to the couple and unique to each story isn’t always easy to find. Candid Sol makes sure that the story of your love and the story of your wedding day is what’s most important and captures the moments as they unfold on your wedding day. Your crazy aunt, your wild best friend, your beautiful love – Candid Sol will work tirelessly to capture as many moments as possible so you can relive them over and over with your love and your future generations can experience them with you too.

Capturing the real you and the true story of the relationships of those you have invited to experience your wedding is a true honor. Emotion and stories at weddings are what keeps me inspired to continue wedding photography year after year. This is why candid moments are the main focus. I find details to be just a small part of the day. Of course these details will be captured, and beautifully, but I want you to feel the moment your love smashed a piece of cake in your face when you look back at the photos. I want you to look through your wedding album every year on your anniversary and laugh when you see your flower man crying all the way down the aisle. I want you to be nervous when you see the photos of your first look and remember how sweaty your hands were waiting to see your love before your wedding. All of your favorite moments, and even the ones you never saw happen, will be immortalized forever.

Serving the LGBTQ+ community is an act I take very seriously. Your comfort on your wedding day, and throughout your planning process, is of the utmost importance. Candid Sol proudly and respectfully serves all genders, races, disabilities, sexual orientations, nationalities, skin colors, and lovers.

Photographer – Chansley Photo

Photo of Michael Chansley
Meet Michael Chansley

Michael Chansley – Gay-Friendly Photographer
www.MichaelChansley.com
Phone: 520.241.5746

Michael Chansley has been serving the Tucson community as a professional photographer since 2007. Specialties include weddings, events, portraits and sports, but available for any photographic need. As a self-employed photographer, Michael is available 7 days a week and is very quick to respond to calls and emails. Most projects photographed are edited and delivered within just a few days. Pricing is very affordable and can be flexible based on your budget and needs. A perfect 5-star review on sites like Google and Yelp testify to Michael’s work and professionalism.

Michael will not only give you a high quality product at an affordable rate, he will make you comfortable and enjoy working with him. Family is a big part of his life with wife, 4-year-old daughter and two dogs. Family doesn’t just stop there as he makes his clients feel like family as well they way they are treated and taken care of. His fun, sarcastic personality will make you laugh and smile whenever he is around, which is perfect if you are the one getting photographed!

Combat Krav Maga Tucson

Combat Krav Maga Tucson
Combat Krav Maga Tucson

Website: https://www.combatkravmagatucson.com/
Address: 3273 N Freeway #545, Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone:  (520) 975-4722
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/KravMagaAZ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatkrav/

Combat Krav Maga Tucson has been teaching reality-based self-defense to the Tucson community since 2015. It is owned by Jenna Herder who has been practicing Krav for over 18 years. She has her 3rd degree Black Belt from the United States Krav Maga Association.

Jenna strives to create an inclusive safe space community where everyone is accepted and cherished. Combat Krav Maga is a PROUD member of the Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Jenna is proud to be a part of the Tucson LGBT+ community and is excited to be hosting low cost/no cost self-defense classes and seminars for the LGBT+ community.

Abbey Funeral Chapel

Abbey Funeral Chapel - Logo
Abbey Funeral Chapel – Logo
Abbey Funeral Chapel is a gay-friendly and supportive firm that services all families in their moments of need.  They provide an incredibly important service because not all funeral homes and chapels are welcoming to everyone in our community.  During some of the most trying times of your life, choose someone you trust to help you say goodbye to your loved ones.

Meet Gary Carolan, Abbey Funeral Chapel Director

Abbey Funeral Chapel Location
Abbey Funeral Chapel Location
Gary has been fighting for equality for a long time.  In fact, he became interested in funeral homes to provide for families who had lost someone to AIDS.  It was a growing custom during the 80’s to not service HIV+ individuals or people with AIDS.  This perverse policy negatively affected the families who had already lost someone they loved deeply, only to be insulted when trying to find a place for their loved one to rest.

Why This is Important to Me

I was crushed to hear recently the story of a close friend who had difficulty finding a funeral home because the deceased was transgender.  The lack of caring and decency was appalling, but for this to occur in 2018, after all the progress we have made as a community, put me over-the-top. What will it take for people to realize we are all the same?  We are all sisters.  Brothers.  Lovers.  Humans, who dream, and yearn, and cry all the same.  The ties that unite us outnumber the differences that so bitterly divide us. It is important to support amazing businesses like Abbey Funeral Chapel who treat everyone with the same level of empathy and comfort.  It is important to support good people doing good things to help others.  And, above all else, it is important to love each other fully and completely. 3435 N 1st Ave Tucson, AZ 85719 (520) 888-1111 Abbey Funeral Chapel Have a great day! TonyRay 🙂

WRMX Radio Network

WRMX Radio Network
WRMX Radio Network

WRMX Radio Network

Listen to WRMX Radio Network Here on GayTucson.com Click the Play Button Below Now

WRMX Radio Network DJ's
WRMX Radio Network DJ’s

WRMX is Tucson-based LGBT internet radio station that streams 24-hours-a-day and 7-days-a-week. You can listen on your computer live from our web player right here! Or you can download their smartphone app so you can tune in anytime, anywhere.

** Pro Tip: Go Click our player above right now and check them out while you read the rest of our post.

Why internet based?

WRMX creators chose the station to be internet-based so it could be an international platform. Currently, listeners tune in from all around the globe from London, Japan, Tokyo, Nigeria, Mexico, Dubai and of course right here in the United States.

Since WRMX was founded with a mission to promote and elevate underground artists in the local community, then what better way, to promote that by making the station have an international reach?

You could say having it be internet-based is a nice loop hole to avoid sticky federal regulations limiting language and content, and the WRMX crew won’t deny it. The appeal of non-regulated airplay goes deeper than wanting to drop the occasional F-bomb. It’s about being able to freely share authenticity.

What Will You Hear?

On WRMXRadio.net you can hear the tracks you love, the hits you forgot that you love, and the new hits to get your day moving. You can expect entertainment, live mix shows, podcasts, and other special events from local Tucsonans and beyond.

If you are a singer, rapper, band or a DJ, submit your best work to WRMX.

Call (304)GO2-WRMX to request a song, or give a shout out during live shows, for booking information, or event details.

WRMX Radio Network

Facebook & Website

Phaedra Wilson – Altitude Home Loans

Phaedra Wilson with Altitude Home Loans
Phaedra Wilson with Altitude Home Loans

Phaedra Wilson – Altitude Home Loans

Phaedra Wilson
Senior Loan Officer
Altitude Home Loans
1885 N Kolb Rd
Tucson, AZ 85715
BK# 0907366

Direct: (520) 617-2925

Email phaedra@altitudehomeloans.com
Toll Free: 888-634-6399

After graduating from the University of Arizona in 1992, Phaedra Wilson dove full-time into the mortgage industry and never looked back.  Since then, she’s consistently ranked as a top producer in Tucson – earning the respect of customers and peers alike.  To this day, she is passionate about going the extra mile to help families achieve their homeownership dreams.

A born and raised Tucsonan, Phaedra has spent almost 30 years working with more than 2,000 people to achieve their home loan goals.  Customers choose to work with Phaedra for her excellent communication, ethics, experience, and expertise.

Phaedra and her team have created a stress-free experience by designing efficient systems that provide weeks updates and produce quick response times.  Their ultimate goal is to have everything in place to fund loans on time, or even early when needed.  Phaedra’s strong base of loyal repeat customers and lasting relationships with excellent local real estate agents is the cornerstone of her success in Tucson’s incredibly competitive mortgage environment.

Phaedra is an enthusiastic member of the community, volunteering on the board of Kids of Steele and serving with the hostesses of Silver and Sequitur, supporting the restoration efforts at Mission San Xavier del Bac.  She enjoys traveling, hiking, yoga, and staying active with her husband, Gred, their two wonderful daughters, Addy and Avery, and their sweet Golden Retriever, Sunny.