Ilona Lawrie and Beto Yarce
Updated: 50 minutes ago Published: 50 minutes ago
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As leaders in the LGBTQ+ community, we celebrate the tremendous progress that has been made in advancing equality, justice, and inclusion in the 55 years since the Stonewall riots in New York City in 1969. We also recognize that this important work continues and remain committed to equality, justice, and inclusion for our community and all marginalized people.
During Pride Month, we reflect on how far we have come. Just a few decades ago, it was common for most of us who identify as LGBTQ+ to live in fear of losing relationships with family and friends if our sexual identity were revealed. The fear of losing our livelihood was very real unless we could pretend to be someone we were not. The self-employed held back from being their true selves, fearing that potential customers might refuse to do business with us and that it might become more difficult to find employees.
Small businesses are often on the front lines of recognizing and accepting people who identify as LGBTQ+. Many entrepreneurs have welcomed people who feel excluded from other businesses by providing a safe space to meet up, network, and just be themselves. This includes coffee shops, bookstores, and other community centers.
Attitudes towards acceptance have changed in the years since, but unfortunately, there are still many people in our community who feel excluded and unsupported. While we continue to work to address and break down these barriers, we want to recognize that thanks to the hard work of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, there have been many recent successes that have helped to alleviate some of these challenges. For example:
• The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) was founded in Washington state in 1981 and is now the largest LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce in North America.
• In 2004, forward-thinking companies across the state and region came together to implement programs for LGBTQ+ businesses.
• Progressive businesses across the state and region are coming together to encourage customers and businesses to be welcoming to people who identify as LGBTQ+.
• LGBTQ+ businesses contribute an estimated $1.7 trillion worth of economic growth annually while creating thousands of new jobs in their communities each year.
“Pride Month is an ideal time for people to take intentional action and speak out for a more inclusive world. We are united in our belief that promoting entrepreneurship is key to economic independence, prosperity and upliftment for families, communities and nations. We also believe entrepreneurship contributes to individual feelings of happiness, accomplishment and connection.”
During Pride Month, we invite you to join us in realizing the American dream of being a business owner, which includes advocating for small businesses, removing barriers experienced by those who face discrimination, and connecting them to resources. Surveys conducted by Pew Research, Gallup and others show that regardless of what Americans believe in other areas, such as politics, an overwhelming majority of Americans trust small businesses and believe strongly in their importance, including how they shape and support thriving communities.
For those who currently run a business or are thinking about starting one, there are resources available through advocates such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, GSBA, and other local organizations. There is also training and resources designed specifically for those who face challenges as LGBTQ+.
Our community leaders and allies work hard, behind the scenes and in front of the scenes, to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live their full life and that their inherent value as a human being is recognized.
We are committed to advancing entrepreneurship as a means to economic independence. We believe this can be achieved through fair and equitable access to business opportunities, capital, training and entrepreneurial resources. We believe in the American ideal that progress and prosperity can only be achieved by treating all others with dignity and respect. During Pride Month, we ask you to stand with us in supporting the American dream of being a small business owner.
Would you like to join us on this journey?
Ilona Lowry is president and CEO of GSBA, Washington’s LGBTQ and allied chamber of commerce, founded in 1981 and representing more than 1,400 businesses.
Beto Yarce was appointed by President Joe Biden to oversee SBA programs and services as regional administrator for the Pacific Northwest, covering Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. To learn more about how the SBA can help you start, grow and expand your small business, visit www.sba.gov. For Spanish, visit www.sba.gov/es.
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