Reno scored 100 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 Municipal Equality Index scorecard for Reno, and Sparks scored 72 on the 2025 Sparks scorecard. Nevada's constitution has required marriage equality since voters approved it in 2020. Our Center on South Wells Avenue is the region's LGBTQ+ community center. This page lists the laws, groups, clinics, crisis lines and annual events, each with its source.
Nevada law: marriage and nondiscrimination
Under Article 1, Section 21 of the Nevada Constitution, the State of Nevada and its political subdivisions "shall recognize marriages and issue marriage licenses to couples regardless of gender." Religious organizations and members of the clergy may refuse to solemnize a marriage, and no person may make a claim against them for that refusal. Section 21 concludes: "All legally valid marriages must be treated equally under the law."
Voters approved this constitutional amendment at the 2020 General Election on Ballot Question 2, after the Nevada Legislature passed the resolution in 2017 and 2019. The vote replaced a 2002 constitutional provision and placed marriage equality directly into Article 1, Section 21.
State statutes prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in employment, public accommodations and housing. In employment, NRS 613.330 makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate because of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. The statute covers hiring, firing, compensation, terms, conditions and privileges of employment.
In hotels, restaurants, stores and other businesses open to the public, NRS 651.070 guarantees full and equal enjoyment of any place of public accommodation. The statute covers "sexual orientation, sex, or gender identity or expression" alongside race, color, religion, national origin and disability.
In housing, NRS 118.100 prohibits refusing to sell or rent a dwelling, or discriminating in housing terms, services or notices. Protected classes are "race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, familial status or sex."
State civil rights policy and enforcement duties appear in NRS Chapter 233. Complaints go to the Nevada Equal Rights Commission (NERC) online at the NERC complaint portal; check the deadline for your complaint type on the NERC portal. NERC's Reno office sits at 1325 Corporate Blvd., Suite 115, Reno, NV 89502, phone (775) 823-6690.
On the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index for Nevada, Reno scored 100 on its 2025 Reno scorecard and Sparks scored 72 on its 2025 Sparks scorecard. This is general information, not legal advice.
Our Center and community groups in Reno
Our Center is Northern Nevada's LGBTQ+ community center at 1745 South Wells Ave., Reno, NV 89502. You can call 775.624.3720 or email [email protected]. Published hours on the Our Center contact page run Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Our Center programs page lists regular peer support and social groups at 1745 South Wells Ave.:
- Transgender Youth Support Group: The middle school group meets Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and the high school group meets Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. Middle School Trans Support serves youth ages 11 to 14.
- Transparenting: Peer support for parents, friends and caregivers of transgender and gender variant youth on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
- Trans Support Reno (TSR): Adult peer-to-peer support group meeting Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. (2nd Tuesdays end at 7 p.m.).
- Queer Student Union (QSU): Built by students from seven Washoe County School District high schools, meeting Tuesdays at 5 p.m.
- Senior, family and recovery groups: The programs page also lists Senior Coffee Time (Wednesdays at 2 p.m.), Queer Veteran's Brew Crew (3rd Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.), EmbrACE AROself (3rd Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.), Sip Sisters (Fridays from 3 to 4 p.m.), Rainbow Rangers (2nd and 4th Sundays), Board Games with Jules (Mondays from 4 to 7 p.m.), Mutual Aid Mondays, recovery groups, and Thursday HIV/STD testing by appointment at 775-328-2470.
At the University of Nevada, Reno, the Pride (LGBTQIA+) Program at the Multicultural Center operates inside the Joe Crowley Student Union at 1664 N. Virginia St., Reno, NV 89557. Call (775) 784-4936 or email [email protected] for student advising, referrals and campus events.
UNR's Queer and LGBT+ Advocacy Board (QLAB) supports LGBTQIA+ students, staff and faculty. QLAB lists student groups including the Queer Student Union, oSTEM, MedPride, Gamma Rho Lambda, Keshet Reno, and the Gender, Race, and Identity Club.
In the Carson City area, PFLAG Carson Region offers family and ally support. Its PFLAG chapter page lists Carson City, NV 89703-3742, phone 7754459446, and email [email protected]. Statewide advocacy group Silver State Equality also publishes a Nevada community resources list.
Northern Nevada Pride and annual events
Northern Nevada Pride is produced by Our Center and run 100 percent by volunteers. Unlike June Pride festivals, Reno's event runs after Labor Day in September.
As published on the Northern Nevada Pride attend page, the 2026 edition took place on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The CommUNITY Pride Parade ran from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on California Avenue, a quarter mile from Virginia Street to Arlington Avenue, as confirmed by UNR Events. The festival ran from noon to 8 p.m. at Wingfield Park, 2 S. Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501.
Parade participation in 2026 was free. On the attend page, a 2026 Premium Festival Pass cost $10.96 ($10.00 base plus $0.96 fees). VIP tickets cost $90.66 for Early Bird ($85.00 base plus $5.66 fees) and $106.60 for standard VIP ($100.00 base plus $6.60 fees).
The 2027 date has not been published yet; check the Northern Nevada Pride attend page for updates.
In the Sierra, Truckee Pride held its third annual Truckee Pride Week from May 30 to June 7, 2026; the 2027 dates are posted on truckeepride.org. In South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Pride runs events through the year on its events and activities calendar. See our Reno and Lake Tahoe events page for the monthly calendar.
Health care, testing and gender-affirming care
Three Reno clinics provide LGBTQ+ health care, STI/HIV testing and affirming counseling:
- Northern Nevada HOPES: Offers LGBTQ+ primary care, walk-in STI testing, HIV prevention, behavioral health counseling, support groups and the Barry Frank Family Gender and Sexual Healthcare Clinic for gender-affirming care (580 W. 5th St., Reno, NV, open Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Call 775-786-4673 or visit the HOPES LGBTQ+ health page and HOPES sexual health page.
- Northern Nevada Public Health Family Planning and Sexual Health Clinic: Formerly the Washoe County Health District, located at 1001 E. 9th St., Building B, Reno, NV (entrance on Wells Avenue), phone 775-328-2470. The NNPH clinic page lists walk-in and same-day visits Monday to Friday, PrEP navigation (including injectable PrEP), rapid HIV testing (20-minute results) and STI treatment.
- UNR Psychological Services Center Pride Center clinic: Located at 1664 N. Virginia St., Effie Mona Mack Room 124, Reno, NV 89557, phone (775) 784-6668. The UNR specialty services page lists low-cost outpatient therapy for adults 18 and over.
Call ahead to confirm hours and insurance; HOPES accepts most insurance including Medicaid and Medicare and cares for uninsured patients, while NNPH discounts fees by household income and size.
Crisis and support lines
These free, confidential crisis lines operate 24 hours a day:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (988lifeline.org).
- Crisis Support Services of Nevada: The Reno-based center that "serves as Northern and Rural Nevada's 988 crisis contact center," answering regional 988 calls, texts and chats (cssnv.org).
- The Trevor Project: 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people under 25; call 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or use TTY at 1-866-803-3699 (thetrevorproject.org/get-help).
- Trans Lifeline: Peer support run by and for trans people; call the US number at (877) 565-8860 (translifeline.org).
- Emergency: In an emergency, call 911.
Lake Tahoe and Truckee
South Lake Tahoe and Truckee are in California, so California law applies there; Stateline and Incline Village are in Nevada, where Nevada law applies.
Lake Tahoe Pride is a volunteer group in South Lake Tahoe founded in 2010. It hosts Tuesday social mixers from 5:30 p.m. at rotating South Lake Tahoe venues such as Sidellis, South Lake Brewing Company at the Y and Tahoe Brew House. Check the current location on its events and activities page or email [email protected].
Truckee Pride (Truckee Tahoe Pride Foundation) is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit; contact [email protected]. For basin travel logistics, see our Lake Tahoe guide and our Truckee day trip from Reno guide.
Welcoming venues listed by local organizations
These are venues named by Visit Reno Tahoe and Lake Tahoe Pride; check each listing page before you go, since businesses change.
In Reno, the Visit Reno Tahoe LGBTQ+ Travel Guide and Visit Reno Tahoe LGBTQ-owned businesses list list:
- 5 Star Saloon: Downtown, described there as Reno's longest-running gay bar.
- Carl's - The Saloon: On South Virginia Street near the Peppermill Resort.
- The Emerson: An LGBTQ-owned lounge in MidTown hosting Drag Bingo on the second Thursday of each month and Drag Brunch on select Sundays.
- Cafe Whitney at the Whitney Peak Hotel: Downtown, hosting Drag Brunch on the third Saturday of the month.
- TAG-approved hotels: Peppermill Resort Spa Casino and Whitney Peak Hotel.
In South Lake Tahoe, the Lake Tahoe Pride resources page lists Sidellis (queer-owned), South Lake Tahoe Brewing Company, Cuppa Tahoe, North of South Brewing, Coachman Hotel and Station House Inn. The same page also lists Lake Tahoe Community College, Pride Climb Tahoe and the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA).
IDs and records
The Nevada DMV Frequently Asked Questions page states: "Gender Change: No medical certification is required. Simply select the gender M, F or X on your application at the office. Standard replacement fees apply."
Getting around
Our Center (1745 South Wells Ave.), Wingfield Park (2 S. Arlington Ave.) and MidTown sit within a short ride on RTC Washoe buses. See our Reno and Tahoe transit guide for routes and fares, and our Reno airport guide for arriving by air at RNO.
For Pride day, see our downtown Reno parking guide for city parking rules. Official event parking and hotel guidance is posted on the Northern Nevada Pride attend page.
Las Vegas resources
In Southern Nevada, The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada at 401 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89101, phone (702) 733-9800, runs community programs and health clinics. Las Vegas PRIDE organizes the annual Las Vegas parade, festival and community events. For Southern Nevada travel information, see our Las Vegas guide.
Related Reno guides
- Moving to Reno guide: utilities, Nevada DMV rules, taxes and schools for people relocating.
- Reno, Sparks, and Tahoe parks guide: Wingfield Park and other city and regional parks.
- Reno, Sparks, and Lake Tahoe transit guide: RTC RIDE routes, fares and Tahoe shuttles.
- Reno adaptive recreation and inclusion programs: City of Reno and Sparks ADA accommodations and adaptive sports.
- The Reno Arch and the Biggest Little City: history of the downtown Virginia Street arch.