WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, and SHOWTIME announced the third consecutive year of "QUEER TO STAY: An LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative" (QTS) that aims to uplift and preserve small businesses that serve the LGBTQ+ community; particularly businesses that are owned by or empower LGBTQ+ people of color, women and the transgender community. This year, the initiative is expanding its pool of funding to $250,000 to be distributed among at least 25 small businesses.
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the inaugural "QUEER TO STAY" initiative awarded funds to ten LGBTQ+ businesses across the country; last year, with continued challenges faced by small businesses, the program doubled its capacity to support 20 LGBTQ+ businesses. Due to the ongoing success of Queer to Stay, the program is again adding to the number of awardees.
"It is absolutely remarkable that we are about to kick-off our third year of the 'QUEER TO STAY' initiative—what an incredible opportunity to support LGBTQ+ businesses and recognize their impact in communities across the country," said Joni Madison, Human Rights Campaign Interim President. "Creating and cultivating spaces for the LGBTQ+ community requires all of us and this continued partnership with SHOWTIME is a three-time example of a company putting the rubber to the road to uplift the LGBTQ+ community during these challenging times."
"We're thrilled to launch our largest Pride campaign ever, nearly tripling the number of businesses to receive grants since the beginning of QUEER TO STAY" said Michael Engleman, Chief Marketing Officer, Showtime Networks Inc. "We started the program to address a need created by the pandemic, but the need for safe spaces persists and so will we. This year, as in-person gatherings return to normal, we'll go to communities directly to increase visibility for the QTS grants."
The businesses will be selected based on the communities they serve and how COVID-19 has affected them: "Queer to Stay" is accepting applications now until August 31, 2022. Eligible businesses can apply at queertostay.org . Recipients will be notified and announced later this year. Additionally, three Queer to Stay awardees were featured in a video, released today, that highlights how the funding helped their business stay afloat—watch here.
In the years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, LGBTQ+ businesses have faced severe financial challenges, and many are at risk of permanently closing. In 2021, the HRC Foundation issued a report,COVID-19 and the LGBTQ Community: Vaccinations and the Economic Toll of the Pandemic, which highlights data showing that LGBTQ+ adults and LGBTQ+ adults of color were facing the highest rates of unemployment since HRC and PSB began tracking community unemployment at the start of the pandemic. Additionally, LGBTQ+ adults, bisexual adults, LGBTQ+ adults of color and transgender adults were more likely than the general population to have recently had their work hours reduced due to the pandemic.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
