A recent survey carried out by the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and Deloitte, found that LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs still faced discrimination and systemic barriers to their success. According to the study:
- 21% of respondents faced challenges and discrimination due to their sexual orientation
- 25% of respondents had lost business opportunities for being part of the LGBTQ+ community
- 41% identified challenges acquiring funding and financing, and
- 33% were unable to access mentorship opportunities
Despite facing these impediments to their success, LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs are an economic force to be reckoned with. Canada is home to over 100,000 LGBTQ+ owned businesses, employing half a million Canadians, while generating over $22 billion in annual revenues. In other words, LGBTQ+ business is big business, and their continuing success plays an important role in the Canadian economy.
If you’re an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur looking to start or grow your own business, we’ve gathered a list of dedicated resources to help you on the road to success.
Dedicated Business Resources for LGBTQ2S Entrepreneurs
Canada LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce
The Canada LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce exists to elevate LGBT businesses and foster greater diversity and inclusion across Canada’s economy. They offer inclusivity training and market-preparedness training for serving LGBT+ clientele.
LOUD Business
Formed over 35 years ago, LOUD Business (formerly known as the Gay Lesbian Business Association of BC) creates opportunities for professionals and entrepreneurs within the LGBTQ+ community to network, learn and grow – both professionally and personally.
Pride at Work Canada
Through dialogue, education and thought leadership, Pride at Work Canada empowers employers to build workplaces that celebrate all employees regardless of gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. We help create safer, more inclusive workspaces that realize the full potential of all employees and bring down barriers to employment.
TransFocus Consulting
Inclusive workplaces are high performing workplaces, but education often isn’t enough. Real inclusion is strategic and transformative. TransFocus Consulting helps organizations transform from the inside out, bringing systems-thinking to gender inclusion.
Dignity Network
Dignity Network Canada is a group of civil society organizations across Canada involved in supporting the human rights of people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) globally. The Network is governed by a Board of Directors and has a number of working groups to advance their collective work.
Other Resources
Futurpreneur Canada
Futurpreneur works with entrepreneurs aged 18-39 to provide financing, mentoring and resources to start and grow a business.
Small Business BC is Here to Help
SBBC is a non-profit resource centre for BC-based small businesses. Whatever your idea of success is, we’re here to provide holistic support and resources at every step of the journey. Check out our range of business webinars, on-demand E-Learning Education, our Talk to an Expert Advisories, or browse our business articles.
