The Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce says Calgary has rapidly become a top destination for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, and that a recent speech by Mayor Jeromy Farkas has "supercharged" the growth.
The national group hosted a gala in Calgary on Thursday to recognize local business leaders. The organization described what it sees as a surge in momentum in the city's queer business community.
Jarom Moriyama-Bondar, an Alberta board member for the chamber, said there was little LGBTQ+ representation in Calgary's business community when he started his career 15 years ago. He is also a co-founder of Pride In Business, a local organization that aims to connect the city's 2SLGBTQ+ professionals and entrepreneurs.
"(Pride In Business) really started from a couple friends and I who thought that we needed to have some more visibility and representation," he said.
Moriyama-Bondar said support for the queer community has changed a great deal over 15 years, and that business and political leaders who back the community make a big difference.
In October, Farkas spoke at the Forever Canadian rally and included a message to Calgary's queer community. He said he was one of the queer kids growing up in Alberta, and told young people they belong in the city, are welcome and loved, and have a future in the country.
Moriyama-Bondar said having an openly LGBTQ+ mayor is "a really big deal." He said the community does not often see that kind of public support.
Spencer Schmick, who opened the Beltline menswear store Stuff in 2016, said he does not market the business specifically to the LGBTQ+ community but has never shied away from it. He said support has changed since he opened and he has not faced much pushback. He estimated that his gay clientele accounts for 15 to 20 per cent of sales.
Jonathan Kane, owner of the Naked Leaf tea shop in Kensington, said there have been a few instances of pushback over the shop's support for the queer community. One customer who sampled the tea told an employee outside the store that they did not support shops with an "Everyone's welcome" sticker. Kane said a social media ad described by him as "racy" cost the shop about 80 followers in one day.
Kane said such cases are rare and called Calgary "a pretty safe space to be a queer business owner." He added that visibility matters, particularly given the current provincial government.
Comments (0)
Please log in to comment.
No comments yet.