What’s the White House Doing for LGBTQ+ Businesses in Kentucky?
Just days before Joe Biden’s history-making decision to remove himself from the 2024 presidential race, Chief Economist of Biden’s Invest in America Cabinet Heather Boushey visited with LGBTQ+ business leaders in Louisville. She shared successes from the past four years, heard common issues and solutions from local businesses and emphasized how queer Kentuckians play a role in supporting the future of inclusive economic policy.
Boushey is familiar with both Kentucky and economic issues impacting marginalized groups. Before going to the White House, she founded the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, making academic research on equity in the economy accessible to policymakers. She also has family in Kentucky who were the impetus for her visit.
CIVITAS, the Ohio Valley LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, organized the July meeting in Louisville’s Paristown Arts District. Erica Fields, a top grain producer for Kentucky’s distilleries, joined leaders from Chronicle Cinema Production Company, the Kentucky Hug, Caperton Realty, Drag Daddy Productions, and a Queer Kentucky reporter to discuss relevant issues for their communities.
They echoed a common thread: Homophobia and transphobia can make it difficult for LGBTQ+ businesses in Kentucky to grow or begin, but we find opportunities to thrive in the margins. Struggles to network in conservative communities, threatening bills in Frankfort, and even flat-out rejection from business partners who say our identities make them uncomfortable have damaging and lasting effects on the strength and survival of a business.
However, CIVITAS members emphasized the value of strength in community. The local chapter of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) brings together more than 80 members and sponsors including international giants like Beam Suntory and US Bank, and local members like Drag Daddy and Chronicle Cinema. This network gives new and growing queer businesses a base of supportive partners to build relationships with, in Kentucky and beyond.
“It starts with respect and dignity, making sure that we are letting people be who they are, and letting them be able to both bring their selves into the workplace and not be discriminated against because of who they are,” Boushey said in an interview with Queer Kentucky reflecting on the meeting. “And that is certainly a value that has been core to the President’s agenda from day one.”
Boushey pointed to the White House’s commitment to supporting new and small businesses to grow the economy, “from the middle out, working to bring along historically marginalized communities.” Since Biden took office, the number of new business applications skyrocketed to all-time highs where they’ve remained over the past four years.
“The President has taken a lot of steps to make sure that small businesses can thrive,” Boushey said, in turn supporting minority-owned businesses. She explained that LGBTQ people can find business opportunities in the unmet needs of their neighbors.
“When we are inclusive, when we allow people to find their best fit, when we don’t discriminate against them, the economy overall is more productive, and it grows,” she added. “So from where I sit working for the President of the United States, we know that if we can make sure that everybody has that opportunity, and that we are not unduly hindering people’s access to education or jobs or entrepreneurship, we’re all going to benefit.”
Back at the lunch table in Louisville, one of the guests asked Boushey how queer Kentuckians can ensure they remain supported on an economic level. Though the Hatch Act prevents her from political activities like endorsements or campaigning, Boushey advised those at the table to support a presidential candidate who aligns with their values.
If you’re looking for resources to start or expand a business in Kentucky, you can visit kyinnovation.com.
