ChattaDykes Founder | Jaclyn Dennis

Jaclyn Dennis is a Tennessee native who has brought Dyke Night to the Tennessee Valley Area. Jaclyn, upon returning from living out of state, had a desire to build an amazing space for safety and inclusivity for the WLW community. After some careful planning, ChattaDykes was launched! The first night, a crowd flooded Granny’s, and the second month’s event had Mean Jeen’s packed. We caught up to get to know Jaclyn better for Women’s History Month.

Jaclyn, tell us a little bit about yourself.

I currently call myself an artisan/creator, because I make a lot of different things with my hands - right now I am a chocolatier for a local business, and I also make some freelance art and graphics. I have an educational background in history and architectural design, which guide my passion for creative and community-centered work. I am also learning more about conservation and would love to apply my creativity towards preserving and protecting nature! 

What do you like to do for fun?

I love being outside, and especially being in the water. I swim indoors in the winter months, but as soon as summer heat comes I like to snorkel and hunt for rocks in creeks, lakes, and waterfalls. I also love art of all kinds! I play guitar and piano, and I recently have gotten back into my childhood hobby of dancing more. Moving my body in the form of pole dancing, ballet, or even just cartwheeling around outside has been super therapeutic for me. 

A favorite relaxing hobby?

One of my favorite relaxing hobbies is baking/cooking. I love making all kinds of desserts, sourdough, and pastries, and one of my key self-care tasks is making a really good weekend brunch & coffee. 

What is one thing you enjoy about living in the Tennessee Valley Area?

I love the creeks and the sound of the bugs outside at night. It’s something I didn’t realize I would miss so much after moving away for seven years, but those sounds feel like home to me. 

What is one thing you don’t enjoy about living in the Tennessee Valley Area? 

Like a lot of other queer people in the area, I get sad by the shame, guilt, and hypocrisy that I see so many family members and friends fall into under the guise of conservative religion. So many relationships in my life and amongst my friends have been strained and torn apart by this, and as someone who was deeply immersed in religion for most of my life, it’s hard to see the pervasiveness of life driven by fear instead of love.

What is one hope you have for 2025? 

For 2025 I hope to continue to build community and surround myself with more people that I can laugh, cry, dance, and adventure with! 

When you think of existing as a woman in the LGBTQ+ community, what are some of your superpowers? What are some of the obstacles you’ve encountered? 

For me, being a woman in the LGBTQ+ community gives me the superpower of defying the expectations and limits placed by those around me. In the process of coming out as queer, I have found so much power and confidence from the pure strength it takes to be who you truly are in the face of those who may not accept that. This authenticity and strong sense of self has been a constant reminder to stand up for myself in all areas of life, and to always shamelessly show up as me, not as what is expected of me.

As far as obstacles go, I have struggled with the lasting impacts of being socialized as a woman in a traditional/conservative religious space. As is the case for many AFAB folks, I was taught to present a certain way, told what to do, how to act, and how to consider others before myself. This has been hard to unlearn, and has been especially tricky to navigate as I’ve explored my gender. I eventually landed in a pretty fluid place simplified to “she/they,” but which took a lot of relearning how to tune back into the intuition that I had mistrusted for so much of my life. So I think the biggest struggle for me boils down to listening to that intuition. Trusting your gut when you've been taught that those gut feelings are wrong, sinful, and something that should be shut out is a lifelong struggle, but I have gained so much happiness and freedom from finally listening to those feelings.

If you could say one thing to other women in our community, what would it be? 

You are so amazing and strong and powerful and beautiful and I am amazed by you every day! Thank you for being here - seriously. The queer community has always embraced me with open arms when others haven't, and I hope you know that you are also embraced with open arms. I owe so much to queer women, I love y'all sm <3.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I organize Chattanooga Dyke Night (@chattadykes on the gram) on the first Thursday of every month, and would love to see all you fellow sapphics there! The next one will be at Broads Lounge on Thursday, April 3rd from 7-10PM.