Deadline: 31 August 2023
The Human Rights Campaign and SHOWTIME are excited to launch the fourth year of “Queer to Stay: An LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative”, an effort that supports, uplifts and preserves small businesses that serve the LGBTQ+ community, particularly multiply-marginalized queer people.
This year, the Human Rights Campaign and SHOWTIME have increased their commitment to this program and will support at least an additional 25 small queer businesses.
While the COVID-19 National Emergency has ended, LGBTQ+-serving businesses are still facing financial challenges and are at risk of closures. LGBTQ+ bars, centers and businesses often serve as safe and affirming places for large portion of the community, especially for young queer and trans people and communities of color.
As the nation continues to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still challenges facing LGBTQ+ serving small businesses. That’s where Queer to Stay comes in.
At a time when LGBTQ+ businesses are working hard to stay open, they’re also faced with fighting against a wave of hate. Opponents of progress seek to challenge the very existence of LGBTQ+ people and the spaces that they occupy. That is why LGBTQ+-serving businesses are so important; they provide a space for queer folks to be their authentic selves and live their best lives— and they’re not going anywhere.The Queer to Stay program aims to uplift these small businesses and provide them with the resources they need to continue making an impact in their communities.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for this donation, your business must meet the following criteria:
- The Queer to Stay initiative is specifically focused on supporting US-based, for-profit businesses. Nonprofit organizations and international businesses are not eligible for funding through the Queer to Stay initiative.
- Your business should primarily serve/cater to the LGBTQ+ community, including LGBTQ+ Communities of Color, the LGBTQ+ Women’s Community, and/or the Transgender and Non-Binary Community.
- Your business must explain how they have been negatively impacted financially due to COVID-19.
- Special consideration will be given to businesses that are owned by members of the communities they are trying to serve through this initiative- queer people of color, queer women and transgender and non-binary individuals.
- They will also prioritize funding for businesses that did not receive a donation from the Queer to Stay initiative previously.
For more information, visit Human Rights Campaign.
