Queer Cafe

LGBTQ Pride: Good for Business

De-Gaying My Voice for the Workplace
Wal-Mart Adds Benefits Platform for LGBTQ Employees

Trans Billionaire May Leave Tennessee Over Anti-LGBTQ Laws

Kellogg Releases New LGBTQ-Themed Cereal

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Great Gift Ideas From These LGBTQ-Owned Brands

Business Plans for Virtual Pride Celebrations

Navigating the Gender Landscape at Work

Info: Pinkwashing and Gay-Baiting

Despite Conservative Cry Babies, North Face Continues Pride Campaign
Dear Target: Please Ban Threatening Customers, Not Pride Products
Starbucks Ad: It Starts With Your Name
Bud Light Partnership with Dylan Mulvaney Sparks Protests
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HRC Corporate Equality Index 2022

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Vanessa Pappas: TikTok Executive Comes Out as Nonbinary
National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce

Dylan Mulvaney and Bud Light Controversy

It all started in April 2023 when transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney shared a video to social media promoting Bud Light beer through a partnership with the company, which sent her a personalized beer can to celebrate her anniversary of transitioning to a woman. The partnership quickly led to controversy as conservative activists launched a boycott against Bud Light.

Those boycotting the beer included musician Kid Rock, country music singer Travis Tritt, and supporters of 2022 Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, who refused to drink free Bud Light beer at a recent rally of hers. Some bar owners reported customers verbally accosting those drinking Bud Light.

The row over transgender brand ambassadors is symbolic of a wider debate about the inclusion of transgender women in female issues and spaces. Some say transgender women should be treated the same as other women, while others say they are different and that hard-won women's rights must be protected.

Move Over Bud Light: Most Major US Beer Brands Partner with LGBTQ Groups and Causes
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ABC News: Historic Ruling on LGBTQ Employment Discrimination

Infographic: Sexual Orientation in the Workplace
LGBTQ Workplace Statistics: Catalyst Research

CBS News: Supreme Court Ruling Protects LGBTQ Workers

Center for American Progress: Widespread LGBTQ Discrimination

USA Today: Review of LGBTQ Equality Over the Past Decade

Why Coming Out is Good Business

CBS News: Supreme Court Ruling Protects LGBTQ Workers

New Awesome Toy: LGBTQ Lego Set

Kind of awesome: A new rainbow Lego set arrives just in time for Pride Month.

You’ve heard of “Everything Is Awesome,” the catchy theme song of the “Lego Movie” franchise. Now get ready for “Everyone Is Awesome,” a new, rainbow-colored Lego set introduced by the toy company ahead of LGBTQ Pride Month, the first ever LGBTQ-themed set. The 346-piece collection, available for purchase starting June 1, includes a different figurine for each color of Lego’s rainbow: black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, dark blue, purple, light blue, white and pink. Lego said that the model was inspired by the classic rainbow flag, an enduring symbol of solidarity for the LGBTQ community.

Lego Unveils First LGBTQ Set Ahead of Pride Month
New Rainbow Lego Set Arrives Just in Time for Pride Month
Lego Announces 1st Rainbow Set for LGBTQ Pride Month

“Everyone is unique, and with a little more love, acceptance and understanding in the world, we can all feel more free to be our true AWESOME selves!” said Matthew Ashton, Lego’s vice president of design. “I am fortunate to be a part of a proud, supportive and passionate community of colleagues and fans. We share love for creativity and self-expression through LEGO bricks and this set is a way to show my gratitude for all the love and inspiration that is constantly shared.”

“I wanted to create a model that symbolizes inclusivity and celebrates everyone, no matter how they identify or who they love," Matthew Ashton said in a press release. “Everyone is unique, and with a little more love, acceptance and understanding in the world, we can all feel more free to be our true awesome selves! This model shows that we care, and that we truly believe ‘Everyone is awesome!'”

"Having LGBTQ-inclusive toys creates a space for families to let LGBTQ children know that they are loved and accepted," Joe Nellist, from the UK's LGBTQ Foundation.

Social media erupted with joy for the product, despite past criticism claiming LGBTQ Pride merchandise had become an overly commercialized space. "You know what. I like this one," wrote one person.

[Source: Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times; Zamira Rahim, CNN; Alexander Kacala, NBC Today; May 2021]

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Workers and Consumers Say They Favor Pro-LGBTQ Businesses

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Corporations That Improved Their LGBTQ Policies in 2020

Time for America's Workplace to Look Like America

How IBM Transformed Itself into an LGBTQ-Friendly Company

Pink Money: LGBTQ Purchasing Power

Embracing Diversity: The Value and Impact of the LGBTQ Consumer

Queer Customers are a Valuable Demographic

In recent years, the LGBTQ community has increasingly become a powerful force in the consumer market, wielding significant economic influence. Beyond their purchasing power, their impact extends to shaping brand perception, driving innovation, and advocating for inclusivity. Understanding the value and impact of the LGBTQ consumer is not only essential for businesses but also for fostering a more inclusive society.

Firstly, let's address the economic aspect. The purchasing power of the LGBTQ community is substantial and continues to grow. According to a report by Witeck Communications, the purchasing power of LGBTQ adults in the United States alone exceeded $1 trillion in 2020. This demographic tends to have higher levels of disposable income and is often brand loyal, making them an attractive target for businesses across various industries.

However, their value goes beyond mere numbers. LGBTQ consumers are discerning and actively seek out brands that align with their values of inclusivity and diversity. Companies that demonstrate genuine support for LGBTQ rights and representation not only attract LGBTQ customers but also appeal to a broader audience that values inclusivity. Conversely, businesses that ignore or alienate this demographic risk facing backlash and damage to their reputation.

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Oreos Commercial: Proud Parent

Moreover, the LGBTQ community has a significant impact on driving innovation and cultural change within industries. Their unique perspectives and experiences often inspire products and services that cater specifically to their needs. From inclusive fashion lines to LGBTQ-focused travel services, businesses are recognizing the importance of catering to diverse demographics and are reaping the rewards of doing so.

Furthermore, the LGBTQ community is a vocal advocate for social change and equality. By supporting businesses that champion LGBTQ rights, consumers can leverage their economic influence to drive positive societal change. Companies that actively support LGBTQ causes not only gain the loyalty of LGBTQ consumers but also demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility, attracting a broader customer base that values ethical business practices.

In conclusion, the LGBTQ consumer is a valuable demographic with significant economic influence and cultural impact. Businesses that recognize and embrace the diversity of their consumer base stand to benefit both financially and reputationally. By fostering inclusivity, supporting LGBTQ rights, and listening to the needs of this community, businesses can not only thrive in the marketplace but also contribute to a more equitable and accepting society.

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LGBTQ Discrimination in Business and Government

According to the Harris Poll (October 2015), the majority of Americans agree that businesses and government officials should not discriminate against LGBTQ people.

As Kentucky’s Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis may now realize, most Americans believe that government officials should not allow their religious beliefs to stand in the way of issuing marriage licenses to all couples. A new national survey reveals that Americans shun this form of discrimination not only by public officials, but also by businesses that wish to deny goods or services to LGBTQ people.

A full two-thirds (67%) of Americans, including 78% of LGBTQ Americans, agreed that a government official should be obligated to serve all of the public and perform all duties, regardless of their religious beliefs. The Out & Equal Workplace survey also confirmed that 60% of Americans (and 80% of LGBTQ individuals) believe that business owners should not be permitted to turn away anyone based on their religious beliefs.

These and other findings were included in the 2015 Out & Equal Workplace Survey, in partnership with Witeck Communications.

“These findings makes it clear that a majority of Americans still believe that fairness and equal treatment are a birthright for all of us. And that discrimination against LGBTQ people has no justification,” said Selisse Berry, Founder, CEO, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. “This past year, we saw more and more business leaders and corporations boldly oppose discriminatory religious freedom legislation, while standing up for their workforce and their customers.”

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Strong Support for Federal Non-Discrimination Protections: The survey also informed respondents that there is no federal law today that protects someone who is LGBTQ from discrimination in public accommodations such as restaurants, hotels and other businesses open to all the public. When asked if they would support such a law, 6 out of 10 (62%) Americans agreed, with 44% saying they “strongly support” a federal law, and, by contrast, only 14% saying they “strongly oppose” such a law.

In a related question, the survey found that 21% of Americans believe that LGBTQ people are protected from being fired because of their sexual orientation or gender identity in all 50 states, including 12% of LGBTQ people who share this misconception. However, there is no such federal law, and today there are only 22 states with workplace protections based on sexual orientation, and 19 states that include protections for gender identity.

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State Exemptions for Individual Religious Beliefs: The survey also touched on the rise of state legislation that would expand ways to exempt individuals from laws or regulations that conflict with their religious beliefs. Forty-five percent of Americans say they oppose expanding these religious exemptions at the state level, with just 30% in support. Roughly one out of five, however, said they still were not sure.

“Americans are debating and learning much about the kind of society they desire,” said Bob Witeck, President of Witeck Communications. “The good news is that their distaste for discrimination seems to be growing, and this signal is keenly understood in the marketplace and throughout American life.”

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Atlantic: Economic Case for Supporting LGBTQ Rights

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GLAAD: Importance of LGBTQ Equality in the Workplace

LGBTQ-Owned Brands and Businesses

Over the years, you’ve probably seen companies embrace Pride Month through advertising campaigns — including rainbow flag logos and even limited-edition items like Skittles’ colorless candy. But it wasn’t always like this — LGBTQ-inclusive ads only really started to appear in the ‘70s. It was vodka brand Absolut’s introduction of its rainbow bottle in 2009 that was a “tipping point” for Pride Month marketing with other brands’ campaigns starting to “slowly trickle out” soon after, explained Kristin Comeforo, an associate professor of communication specializing in LGBTQ representation in mainstream marketing. Since then, “what has changed is that being supportive and inclusive of LGBTQ community is more the rule rather than the exception,” Comeforo said.

Support for LGBTQ Business Students

Diversity in the Workplace: Global Intercultural Fluency

Nielson: State of the LGBTQ Consumer

Report: Diversity in the Tech Field

HuffPost: Problematic Politics of Style and Gender Identity in the Workplace

Atlantic: Economic Case for Supporting LGBTQ Rights

Experian: Marketing to LGBTQ Consumers

GLAAD: Importance of LGBTQ Equality in the Workplace

But for some LGBTQ-owned businesses, the attention during June doesn’t necessarily mean big business. “Pride Month has been commandeered by big mainstream retailers producing Pride collections,” said Laura Moffat, one of the founders of menswear-inspired clothing label Kirrin Finch. And while this can “bring visibility to the queer community,” it doesn’t “translate to small queer businesses getting more sales.” But as a brand, “we don't do anything different in the month of Pride versus any other month as we are LGBTQ all year long and serve that community all year long,” Moffat added. On the other hand, the spotlight offers the potential to “reach so many new people,” explained Helen Russell, a co-founder of Equator Coffees. “The focus on LBGTQ owned businesses and our impact is great exposure. It exposes our community to not just new customers, but new allies.”

June commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising — 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of when police raided West Village gay bar, the Stonewall Inn, that helped ignite the modern-day LGBTQ rights movement. “Every June we celebrate our survival, how far we have come, while also continuing to call out inequities, discrimination, and violence targeting the LGBTQ community,” explained Comeforo.

There are an estimated 1.4 million LGBTQ-run companies in the US, accounting for $1.7 trillion a year in revenue, according to the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).

Support for LGBTQ Business Students

Diversity in the Workplace: Global Intercultural Fluency

Vanessa Pappas: TikTok Executive Comes Out as Nonbinary

QueerCos: Search for LGBTQ-Owned Businesses

Why LGBTQ Inclusive Advertising is Important

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates

Brands Supporting the LGBTQ Community with Pride Collections

While there are some programs aimed to help minority- and women-owned enterprises and entrepreneurs, LGBTQ-owned businesses aren’t offered the same resources. Bob Witeck, president of Witeck Communications, the first certified LGBTQ business in the US by the NGLCC, said federal data collection, inclusion and protection of rights for LGBTQ business owners and employees is an important issue since opportunities and inclusion may vary by state. “LGBTQ people are defined in their families and their lives by arcane rules state by state,” he said, adding that LGBTQ businesses may be facing “anxiety and difficulty with things like credit and credit lines, lending, borrowing” due to unequal access. Justin Nelson, NGLCC’s president and co-founder, previously told NBC OUT that for LGBTQ-owned businesses to succeed, they must have fair access to capital and credit, which federal data collection would support.

Locally, some municipalities and private companies have been enacting their own appeals to LGBTQ-owned business owners. Earlier this year, New York City partnered with the chamber to become the largest city to officially designate LGBTQ-owned companies as minority-owned businesses, meaning they’ll be eligible for billions in city contracts and other resources like educational programs.

In April, more than 400 businesses — including Apple and Facebook — signed their support for the Equality Act, which would change existing civil rights law to include protection for sexual orientation and gender identification — the bill is awaiting a Senate vote and it’s unclear when it will be voted on. The pandemic has also disproportionately affected the LGBTQ community, which already faces higher rates of discrimination in housing and employment. Some LGBTQ-owned businesses, among them lesbian bars, were already struggling pre-pandemic — the pandemic has only made the situation worse.

[Source: Mili Godio, Kala Herh, Zoe Malin, Ambar Pardilla; NBC News, June 2021]

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Navigating the Gender Landscape at Work

Video List: Openly Gay Billionaires Worldwide

CBS News: Supreme Court Ruling Protects LGBTQ Workers

Info: The Practice of Pinkwashing

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Companies That Do Not Support LGBTQ Rights

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HuffPost: Problematic Politics of Style and Gender Identity in the Workplace

Cracker Barrel Adopts New Attitude

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has a history of discriminating against LGBTQ people. For years, LGBTQ activists and allies protested against the restaurant and launched boycotts. But, apparently, they have examined their anti-LGBTQ policies and have determined to go in a new direction. They have adopted new diversity and inclusion initiatives and have pledged to cease their discrimination of LGBTQ people.

According to a statement from their corporate office, "Cracker Barrel has been on a journey of improvement and understanding, as individuals and as a company. We believe that when we harness the uniqueness of our differences, we become better. A Cracker Barrel dining room is a place where people of all ages, races, genders, ethnicities, walks of life, political preferences, and sexual orientations can come together and feel at home.

Cracker Barrel: Diversity and Inclusion
Cracker Barrel CEO Leads Charge for LGBTQ Inclusivity

LGBTQ Representation in Advertising

eHarmony Ad: Who Gets You
She: Spanish J&B Scotch Whiskey Ad with Trans Storyline

Emotional Gay Commercials
Bubly: Drag For All Flavors

McDonald's Ad: Philippines and Sapphic
Gucci Guilty: Elliot Page, Julia Garner, A$AP Rocky
Oreos: Proud Parent

Zillow: The Feeling of Finding Your Place

Doritos and Dia de Muertos: Nunca Es Tarde Para Ser Quien Eres

Car Gurus: Need More Space

Douwee Egberts Coffee

Starbucks: Every Name's a Story

E-Harmony Ad
Pantene: Lesbian Moms and Their Trans Daughter

Wells Fargo Bank: Learning Sign Language

Ralph Lauren: What is Family

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Nordstrom: Homecoming

Sealy Posturepedic: Afterglow

Ikea: Dining Room Table

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Heinz: Gay Kiss

Video Compilation 3: Funny LGBTQ TV Ads

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Kindle: At The Beach

Video Compilation: Funny TV Ads with LGBTQ Couples

XXL All Sports United: Airport Love

Hyundai: Lipstick Note

Openly LGBTQ Business Leaders

Tim Cook - CEO of Apple Computers

Liat Ben-Zur - Corporate VP of Microsoft

Vanessa Pappas - CEO of TikTok

John Browne - CEO of BP Oil

Sam Altman - CEO of OpenAI (ChatGPT)

Chuck Williams -Vice President of Sperry Corporation

Beth Ford - CEO of Land O' Lakes

David Bronner - CEO of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap Company
Alan Joyce - CEO of Qantas Airlines

Robert Hanson - CEO of American Eagle Outfitters

Inga Beale - CEO of Lloyd's of London

Joseph Evangelisti - CEO of JP Morgan Chase

Antonio Simoes - CEO of HSBC Bank

Chris Hughes - Co-Founder of Facebook

Peter Thiel - Co-Founder of PayPal

Louis Vega - Senior Executive at Dow Chemical

Alex Schultz - VP of Facebook

Claudia Brind-Woody - VP at IBM

Beth Brook-Marciniak - VP at Ernst & Young

Jakapong Jakrajutatip - CEO of JKN Global Group

Kendall Tichner - Founder/CEO of Wild Captives Archery

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Business week: Tim Cook Speaks Up

Apple Computers CEO Tim Cook is Gay

"I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me."

-Tim Cook / CEO of Apple Computers

In October 2014 Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple Computers, announced to the world that he was gay, making him the highest-profile chief executive to publicly come out. He was born in Mobile, Alabama and grew up and attended school in south Alabama. He is a 1982 graduate of Auburn University. He And now he is the CEO of Apple Computers, succeeding Apple founder Steve Jobs back in 2011.

Cook becomes the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company, according to gay rights group Human Rights Campaign, who applauded Cook's Bloomberg essay in which he announced his sexual orientation. "Tim Cook's announcement will save countless lives," says HRC President Chad Griffin. "He has always been a role model, but today millions across the globe will draw inspiration from a different aspect of his life."

Mr. Cook’s decision is unlikely to have any major impact on Apple’s global business, said business analysts and professors. No business executive of Mr. Cook’s stature has ever done something like this before. And while laws legalizing same-sex marriage are sweeping places like the United States, Latin America and Europe, gay rights advocates are still struggling to secure basic protections in Asia, where Apple generated 27 percent of its revenue in the fourth quarter.

NY Times: Tim Cook is Proud to be Gay

CNN Money: Apple CEO Tim Cook Comes Out

USA Today: Apple CEO Tim Cook Proud to be Gay

"Throughout my professional life, I’ve tried to maintain a basic level of privacy," he says. "I come from humble roots, and I don’t seek to draw attention to myself. Apple is already one of the most closely watched companies in the world, and I like keeping the focus on our products and the incredible things our customers achieve with them." He continues, "At the same time, I believe deeply in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, who said: Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others? I often challenge myself with that question, and I’ve come to realize that my desire for personal privacy has been holding me back from doing something more important. That’s what has led me to today."

"For years, I’ve been open with many people about my sexual orientation, " he explains. "Plenty of colleagues at Apple know I’m gay, and it doesn’t seem to make a difference in the way they treat me. Of course, I’ve had the good fortune to work at a company that loves creativity and innovation and knows it can only flourish when you embrace people’s differences. Not everyone is so lucky." "While I have never denied my sexuality, I haven’t publicly acknowledged it either, until now. So let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me."

Tim Cook's revelation comes just days after he advocated on behalf of LGBTQ rights in his home state of Alabama. "Alabama is still too slow on equality for the LGBTQ community," he said, per the Associated Press, while calling for laws protecting people based on sexual orientation and gender identity. "Under the law, citizens of Alabama can still be fired based on their sexual orientation. We can't change the past, but we can learn from it and we can create a different future." "As a state, we took too long to steps toward equality," he said. "We were too slow on equality for African-Americans. We were too slow on interracial marriage, and we are still too slow for the equality for the LGBTQ community." Cook's sexuality has been a point of speculation for quite some time. Gawker reported that Cook was gay back in 2011 before he succeeded Steve Jobs. Since then, Cook himself has seemingly dropped hints about his sexuality. In 2013, during a speech about human rights at Auburn University Cook discussed the discrimination he faced as a young person.

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BP Former CEO Comes Out

In June 2014, the former CEO of BP Oil Company (British Petroleum), Lord John Browne, came out as gay. In his recently published book, "The Glass Closet," Browne reflects on being a closeted gay business executive. During his 12 years as CEO, he never discussed his sexuality in the workplace. That changed in 2007, when his relationship with a male escort was exposed and Browne resigned amid an ensuing scandal. At the time, he said in a statement, "I have always regarded my sexuality as a personal matter, to be kept private."

The presumption in the business world "is that everyone is straight," Browne tells NPR. "The presumption is that a man will have photographs on his desk of his wife and children." But looking back today, he says "it would have been better to come out, rather than not." So Browne has written a manifesto, The Glass Closet: Why Coming Out Is Good For Business. In it, he shares his regrets and urges business to create a more supportive environment for gay and lesbian employees.

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NPR News: John Browne's New Book The Glass Closet
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100 Best Companies for Gay Men and Lesbians by Ed Mickens
Lesbian Lifestyles: Women's Work and the Politics of Sexuality by Gillian Dunne

Acts of Disclosure: Coming out Process of Contemporary Gay Men by Marc Vargo

Straight Talk About Gays in the Workplace by Liz Winfeld

Pleasures and Perils of Coming Out on the Job by Richard Rasi

The G Quotient by Kirk Snyder

Your Career Career: Ultimate Career Guide for LGBTQ Job Seekers by Riley B. Folds III

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