LGBT-owned business

Last updated

LGBT-, or queer-owned businesses are businesses owned and often operated by members of the LGBTQIA+ community. They may also be described as being owned by specific subgroups, such as gay-, lesbian-, or trans-owned businesses.

Contents

Visibility of queer-owned businesses is an important part for the community and many businesses cater specifically to marginalized people by offering products that are not otherwise widely available. [1] They are commonly more likely to have difficulty acquiring financial backing. [2]

Some government institutions and municipalities have special programs to support minority-owned businesses and have started to include LGBT-owned businesses in such programs. [3]

In 2022, Charlie Sprinkman created the website Everywhere Is Queer to help promote queer-owned businesses around the world. [4] [5]

Canada

Cape & Cowl is among notable LGBT-owned businesses in Canada.

Mexico

Paco Ruiz opened Club Paco Paco (later known as Paco's Ranch) in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, in December 1989. According to Ed Walsh of SFGate , "At the time, Jalisco didn't have formal laws against homosexuality. But police and regulators often targeted gay-owned businesses for shakedowns because, without political connections or meaningful support in the broader local community, they were vulnerable." [6]

United States

Sante Bar, Portland, Oregon Sante Bar, PDX.jpg
Santé Bar, Portland, Oregon

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are approximately 1.4 million LGBT-owned businesses as of 2024. [7] The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), a nonprofit organization that serves as a certifying body for Certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs), [8] says LGBTQ+ owned businesses are at least 51 percent "owned, operated, managed and controlled by a person or persons who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community (including non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals)". [9] New Jersey is the first state to have an official certification process. [10] [11] In addition to the certification, the US government Small Business Administration has a program to promote LGBT-owned businesses. [12] [13]

The Greater Seattle Business Association, described as "a business chamber for LGBTQ and allied businesses", was established by nine gay business owners in 1981. [14] In 2021, New York City recognized LGBT-owned businesses as part of their program to support and promote minority-owned businesses to provide mentorship, consulting and access to government contracts that promote minority owned businesses. [3]

In an interview with Axios, the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce executive director, Grace Moreno highlighted that there is a high demand for inclusion in the community and that "young people in particular are more willing to go out of their way to support LGBTQ-owned stores, bars, restaurants and other businesses." [15]

In 2023, a community group celebrated the first annual LGBTQ+ business week to "support queer-owned businesses while simultaneously raising awareness around economic issues for the community." [16] In 2024, it will be celebrated the week of December 2. [17]

List of notable LGBT-owned businesses in the United States

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT community</span> Community and culture of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people

The LGBT community is a loosely defined grouping of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals united by a common culture and social movements. These communities generally celebrate pride, diversity, individuality, and sexuality. LGBT activists and sociologists see LGBT community-building as a counterweight to heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, sexualism, and conformist pressures that exist in the larger society. The term pride or sometimes gay pride expresses the LGBT community's identity and collective strength; pride parades provide both a prime example of the use and a demonstration of the general meaning of the term. The LGBT community is diverse in political affiliation. Not all people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender consider themselves part of the LGBT community.

LGBT slang, LGBT speak, queer slang, or gay slang is a set of English slang lexicon used predominantly among LGBTQ+ people. It has been used in various languages since the early 20th century as a means by which members of the LGBTQ+ community identify themselves and speak in code with brevity and speed to others. The acronym LGBT was popularized in the 1990s and stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender. It may refer to anyone who is non-heterosexual or non-cisgender, instead of exclusively to people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. To recognize this inclusion, a popular variant, LGBTQ, adds the letter Q for those who identify as queer or are questioning their sexual or gender identity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gay bar</span> Drinking establishment catered to LGBT clientele

A gay bar is a drinking establishment that caters to an exclusively or predominantly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ+) clientele; the term gay is used as a broadly inclusive concept for LGBTQ+ communities.

National LGBT Chamber of Commerce

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is a U.S. not-for-profit advocacy group that aims to expand the economic opportunities and advancement of the LGBT business community. Its headquarters are in NW in Washington, D.C. NGLCC is the exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned businesses known as LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs), and advocates for LGBT business inclusion in corporate and government supplier diversity programs. In October 2017, the organization changed its name from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to National LGBT Chamber of Commerce to better reflect the entire LGBT business community it serves.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer+(LGBTQ+)music is music that focuses on the experiences of gender and sexual minorities as a product of the broad gay liberation movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CC Slaughters</span> Pair of gay bars and nightclubs in Portland, Oregon and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

CC Slaughters is a gay bar and nightclub located in Portland, Oregon, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The Portland bar is located in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood, and the Puerto Vallarta bar is located in Zona Romántica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT culture in Portland, Oregon</span>

LGBT culture in Portland, Oregon is an important part of Pacific Northwest culture.

Seattle has a notably large LGBT community, and the city of Seattle has protected gay and lesbian workers since the passage of the Fair Employment Practice Ordinance in 1973. Seattle's LGBT culture has been celebrated at Seattle Pride which began in 1977 as Gay Pride Week. Gay cabaret traveled in a circuit including Seattle and San Francisco since the 1930s. Seattle had gay-friendly clubs and bars since the 1930s including The Casino in Underground Seattle at Pioneer Square which allowed same-sex dancing since 1930, and upstairs from it, The Double Header, in continuous operation since 1933 or 1934 until 2015, was thought to be the oldest gay bar in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blow Pony</span> Queer event

"Blow Pony" is a popular queer event based in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wildrose (bar)</span> Lesbian bar in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

The Wildrose is a lesbian bar in Seattle, Washington. It is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, and opened in 1985. It is the city's only lesbian bar. Business partners Shelley Brothers and Martha Manning, the current owners of The Wildrose, took over from the original founders in the early 2000s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queer Bar (Seattle)</span> Queer bar in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Queer Bar is a bar catering to the queer community in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, in the United States. Queer Bar hosts drag shows regularly.

LGBT culture in St. Louis is characterized by a long history of progressive activism as well as racial divisions and the city/county divide. St. Louis city is relatively liberal with multiple gayborhoods and several LGBT organizations. In 2019, Realtor.com dubbed St. Louis the 8th most LGBT-friendly city. Due to hostile legislation at the state level, however, it has become common for LGBT residents to relocate to Illinois for better protections and healthcare access.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the LGBT community</span> Impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ+ community

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted inequities experienced by marginalized populations, and has had a significant impact on the LGBT community. Gay pride events were cancelled or postponed worldwide. More than 220 gay pride celebrations around the world were canceled or postponed in 2020, and in response a Global Pride event was hosted online. LGBTQ+ people also tend to be more likely to have pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or obesity, that would worsen their chances of survival if they became infected with COVID-19. They are also more likely to smoke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesbian Bar Project</span> Campaign to "celebrate, support, and preserve the remaining lesbian bars"

The Lesbian Bar Project is a campaign created by Erica Rose and Elina Street to "celebrate, support, and preserve the remaining lesbian bars in the US." The project launched on October 28, 2020 with a PSA video narrated by Lea DeLaria that announced a 30-day fundraising campaign to support what were thought to be the last 15 lesbian bars left in the country, many of which were financially threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic. A second phase followed in June 2021 in connection with Pride Month, including the release of a short documentary, and a three-part docuseries was released on National Coming Out Day 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santé Bar</span> Bar in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Santé Bar is an LGBT-friendly bar in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flawless Shade</span> American drag queen and make-up artist

Flawless Shade is the stage name of Tajh Jordan, an American drag queen and make-up artist based in Portland, Oregon. A former Miss Gay Oregon, Flawless Shade has been featured in campaigns by Adidas, GLAAD, and Top Level Design. Jordan competed under their real name on the subscription-based streaming service WOW Presents Plus's competition series Painted with Raven.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taqueria Los Puñales</span> Mexican restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Taqueria Los Puñales is a queer-owned and operated Mexican restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Opened by Brian Aster and David Madrigal in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant has garnered a generally positive reception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doc Marie's</span> LGBT bar in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Doc Marie's is an LGBT-friendly bar in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Queen's Head (Portland, Oregon)</span> Defunct LGBT pub and lounge in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

The Queen's Head was an LGBT-friendly pub and lounge in Portland, Oregon, United States. Daniel Bund opened the restaurant in late 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Described as an inclusive drag bar and gay club, The Queen's Head hosted burlesque and talent shows, karaoke, poetry slams, trivia competitions, and other events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lumber Yard Bar</span> Gay bar in White Center, Washington, U.S.

Lumber Yard Bar is a gay bar in White Center, in the U.S. state of Washington. Nathan Adams and Michale Farrar opened the bar in 2018. The business relocated in 2021, the result of arson.

References

  1. ↑ "Queer-owned Small Businesses: How To Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month And People All Year Round". 16 February 2022. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  2. ↑ Fox, Michelle (2023-06-30). "LGBTQ small business owners struggle to find financing". CNBC. Archived from the original on 2024-01-19. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  3. 1 2 "New York just became the biggest city to make LGBT-owned businesses eligible for billions in government contracts for minority entrepreneurs". Business Insiders . 19 January 2021. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  4. ↑ "'Everywhere Is Queer': New worldwide map highlights LGBTQ-owned businesses". NBC . 17 April 2022. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  5. ↑ "Everywhere is Queer app cements a digital hub for LGBTQ businesses". Mashable . 20 February 2024. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  6. ↑ Walsh, Ed. "How Puerto Vallarta became the Bay Area's favorite LGBTQ getaway". SFGate . Archived from the original on 2021-06-25. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  7. ↑ Blossom, Priscilla (2022-06-02). "29 LGBTQ-Owned Businesses to Support During Pride Month and All Year Long". Reader's Digest. Archived from the original on 2024-03-29. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  8. ↑ Roth, Madison (2023-11-02). "What You Need To Know About How To Get Your Business LGBT Business Enterprise Certified | Lavender Magazine". Archived from the original on 2023-12-06. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  9. ↑ "LGBTQ+ business owners share successes and challenges they face". NBC News. 2023-06-30. Archived from the original on 2024-04-12. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  10. ↑ Munoz, Daniel. "NJ law provides certification to LGBTQ+ businesses, unlocking contracting opportunities". North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  11. ↑ Reitmeyer, John (May 13, 2024). "NJ state certification for LGBTQ+ businesses a first". NJ Spotlight News.
  12. ↑ "LGBTQ-owned businesses". Small Business Administration . Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  13. ↑ "The Definitive Guide for LGBTQ-Owned Business Enterprises". 4 June 2019. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  14. ↑ "This non-profit supports LGBTQ businesses throughout Washington". king5.com. 2020-10-21. Archived from the original on 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  15. ↑ "Massachusetts' love for LGBTQ-owned businesses". Axios . 9 June 2023. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  16. ↑ "A First-Of-Its Kind Business Week Just Launched To Support And Uplift The LGBTQ+ Community". MSN . 11 November 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  17. ↑ "LGBTQ+ Business Week". Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  18. ↑ Thomas, June (2013-10-21). "When Amazon Went to War With Lesbians". Slate. ISSN   1091-2339. Archived from the original on 2024-03-24. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  19. ↑ "Community rallies for Babes of Carytown owner after brain aneurysm". CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR. 2018-06-18. Archived from the original on 2022-12-08. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "LGBTQ-Owned Businesses in Seattle | 2023". Seattle Metropolitan . Archived from the original on 2024-01-15. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  21. ↑ "Denver VOICE Covers Denver Pride 2021". The Denver VOICE. 2021-06-28. Archived from the original on 2021-06-28. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  22. ↑ Post, Kathryn (2023-01-23). "God's bar: Nashville's lesbian-owned Lipstick Lounge storied for its radical hospitality". Religion News Service. Archived from the original on 2023-06-04. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  23. ↑ bars, “I do still think that there’s a necessity for our; Mabry, because that’s our safe haven ”-Julie (2023-03-02). "Mother of Pearl". OutSmart Magazine. Archived from the original on 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  24. ↑ "LGBTQ-Owned Minneapolis Businesses to Support During Pride—and the Rest of the Year". Meet Minneapolis. Archived from the original on 2023-12-03. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  25. ↑ Kirouac, Matt (2023-05-26). "30 Great LGBTQ+-Owned Restaurants To Visit In The US". Tasting Table. Archived from the original on 2023-08-04. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  26. ↑ Tirone, Stella (June 6, 2022). "From Boutiques To Tasty Eats, These Are The Top LGBTQ-Owned Businesses In San Francisco". San Francisco Magazine. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.