LGBT-owned business explained

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.

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.

In 2022, Charlie Sprinkman created the website Everywhere Is Queer to help promote queer-owned businesses around the world.[3] [4]

Canada

Cape & Cowl is among 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."[5]

United States

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are approximately 1.4 million LGBT-owned businesses as of 2024.[6] The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), a nonprofit organization that serves as a certifying body for Certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs),[7] 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)".[8] New Jersey is the first state to have an official certification process.[9] [10] In addition to the certification, the US government Small Business Administration has a program to promote LGBT-owned businesses.[11] [12]

The Greater Seattle Business Association, described as "a business chamber for LGBTQ and allied businesses", was established by nine gay business owners in 1981.[13] 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.[14]

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 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

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Queer-owned Small Businesses: How To Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month And People All Year Round. 16 February 2022. 16 May 2024. 1 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231201234555/https://realbusiness.co.uk/queer-owned-small-businesses-celebrate-lgbtq-history-month-people-year-round. live.
  2. Web site: Fox . Michelle . 2023-06-30 . LGBTQ small business owners struggle to find financing . 2024-05-16 . CNBC . en . 2024-01-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119101902/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/30/lgbtq-small-business-owners-struggle-to-find-financing.html . live .
  3. Web site: 'Everywhere Is Queer': New worldwide map highlights LGBTQ-owned businesses. 17 April 2022. 16 May 2024. NBC. 11 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230811062751/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-community-voices/everywhere-queer-new-worldwide-map-highlights-lgbtq-owned-businesses-rcna23598. live.
  4. Web site: Everywhere is Queer app cements a digital hub for LGBTQ businesses. 20 February 2024. 16 May 2024. Mashable. 11 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240511195535/https://mashable.com/article/everywhere-is-queer-lgbtq-business-app. live.
  5. News: Walsh . Ed . How Puerto Vallarta became the Bay Area's favorite LGBTQ getaway . . 2024-05-16 . 2021-06-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210625150620/https://www.sfgate.com/mexico/article/Puerto-Vallarta-Paco-Ruiz-SF-travel-flights-16236298.php . live .
  6. Web site: Blossom . Priscilla . 2022-06-02 . 29 LGBTQ-Owned Businesses to Support During Pride Month and All Year Long . 2024-05-16 . Reader's Digest . en-US . 2024-03-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240329175824/https://www.rd.com/article/lgbtq-owned-businesses/ . live .
  7. Web site: Roth . Madison . 2023-11-02 . What You Need To Know About How To Get Your Business LGBT Business Enterprise Certified Lavender Magazine . 2024-05-16 . en-US . 2023-12-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231206083026/https://lavendermagazine.com/featured-home-page/what-you-need-to-know-about-how-to-get-your-business-lgbt-business-enterprise-certified/ . live .
  8. Web site: 2023-06-30 . LGBTQ+ business owners share successes and challenges they face . 2024-05-16 . NBC News . en . 2024-04-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240412135031/https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/lgbtq-owned-business-ncna1272731 . live .
  9. Web site: Munoz . Daniel . NJ law provides certification to LGBTQ+ businesses, unlocking contracting opportunities . 2024-05-17 . North Jersey Media Group . en-US . 2024-05-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240517041408/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/business/2024/05/02/nj-lgbtq-business-certificate/73541966007/ . live .
  10. News: Reitmeyer . John . May 13, 2024 . NJ state certification for LGBTQ+ businesses a first . NJ Spotlight News.
  11. Web site: LGBTQ-owned businesses. 16 May 2024. Small Business Administration. 15 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240515021545/https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/lgbtq-owned-businesses. live.
  12. Web site: The Definitive Guide for LGBTQ-Owned Business Enterprises. 4 June 2019. 16 May 2024. 31 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231031034127/https://supplier.io/resources/blog/the-definitive-guide-for-lgbtq-owned-business-enterprises. live.
  13. Web site: 2020-10-21 . This non-profit supports LGBTQ businesses throughout Washington . 2024-05-28 . king5.com . en-US . 2021-01-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210127125256/https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/outreach/konnected/gsba-non-profit/281-e82e94f4-80f3-44ee-8a70-035f5680aa1e . live .
  14. Web site: New York just became the biggest city to make LGBT-owned businesses eligible for billions in government contracts for minority entrepreneurs. 19 January 2021. 16 May 2024. Business Insiders. 11 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230811211152/https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-biggest-city-recognize-lgbt-owned-businesses-minority-contracts-2021-1. live.
  15. Web site: Massachusetts' love for LGBTQ-owned businesses. 9 June 2023. 16 May 2024. Axios. 28 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230928091708/https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/06/09/massachussetts-lgbtq-owned-businesses. live.
  16. Web site: A First-Of-Its Kind Business Week Just Launched To Support And Uplift The LGBTQ+ Community. 11 November 2023. 16 May 2024. MSN.
  17. Web site: LGBTQ+ Business Week. 16 May 2024. 11 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231211172708/https://www.lgbtqbusinessweek.com/. live.
  18. News: Thomas . June . 2013-10-21 . When Amazon Went to War With Lesbians . 2024-06-08 . Slate . en-US . 1091-2339 . 2024-03-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240324090439/https://slate.com/human-interest/2013/10/amazon-com-versus-amazon-bookstore-the-1999-legal-tussle-was-rancorous.html . live .
  19. Web site: 2018-06-18 . Community rallies for Babes of Carytown owner after brain aneurysm . 2024-06-08 . CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR . en . 2022-12-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221208103628/https://www.wtvr.com/2018/06/18/community-rallies-for-babes-of-carytown-owner-after-brain-aneurysm . live .
  20. Web site: LGBTQ-Owned Businesses in Seattle 2023 . 2024-05-16 . . en-US . 2024-01-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115025219/https://www.seattlemet.com/style-and-shopping/lgbtq-owned-businesses . live .
  21. Web site: 2021-06-28 . Denver VOICE Covers Denver Pride 2021 . 2024-06-08 . The Denver VOICE . en-US . 2021-06-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210628232622/https://www.denvervoice.org/archive/2021/6/28/denver-voice-covers-denver-pride-2021 . live .
  22. Web site: Post . Kathryn . 2023-01-23 . God’s bar: Nashville’s lesbian-owned Lipstick Lounge storied for its radical hospitality . 2024-06-08 . Religion News Service . en-US . 2023-06-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230604094715/https://religionnews.com/2023/01/23/gods-bar-nashvilles-lesbian-owned-lipstick-lounge-storied-for-its-radical-hospitality/ . live .
  23. Web site: 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 . 2024-06-08 . OutSmart Magazine . en-US . 2023-03-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230310230831/https://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2023/03/mother-of-pearl/ . live .
  24. Web site: LGBTQ-Owned Minneapolis Businesses to Support During Pride—and the Rest of the Year . 2024-06-08 . Meet Minneapolis . en-US . 2023-12-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231203172311/https://www.minneapolis.org/lgbtq-community/businesses/ . live .
  25. Web site: Kirouac . Matt . 2023-05-26 . 30 Great LGBTQ+-Owned Restaurants To Visit In The US . 2024-05-16 . Tasting Table . en-US . 2023-08-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230804154917/https://www.tastingtable.com/1298097/great-lgbtq-owned-restaurants-visit-us/ . live .
  26. News: Tirone . Stella . From Boutiques To Tasty Eats, These Are The Top LGBTQ-Owned Businesses In San Francisco . San Francisco Magazine . June 6, 2022 . May 26, 2024 . May 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240526013014/https://sanfran.com/san-francisco-lgbtq-hot-spots . live .