Editor’s note: Check out the LGBTQ-Owned Business Resource Hub for the latest updates, stories, and tools.
There’s a lot to celebrate this Pride Month, as chosen families and queer communities can soon reunite in the many bookstores, bars, and other small businesses that have become safe havens for LGBTQ+ people across the country.
And yet, this Pride is also a reminder of the LGBTQ+ community’s continued fight for racial justice and equality. As so many queer Black activists reiterated last June: “Pride is a protest.” The pandemic forced closures of many beloved queer spaces and disproportionately affected LGBTQ+ people of color, who are more likely to lack access to medical care or sick leave. And hardly a year after a landmark ruling outlawed workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, anti-transgender bills have stoked hatred in state legislatures.
In times of change, LGBTQ+ business owners have rallied for their employees and customers, including updating their policies and benefits to protect this community. In fact, this year the Human Rights Campaign saw a record-breaking 767 businesses earn a 100 on their Corporate Equality Index, the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies, practices, and benefits pertinent to LGBTQ employees.
To help customers support these businesses and this community, Yelp is making it easier than ever for businesses to identify as LGBTQ-owned or Open to All. And for the month of June, when consumers search on Yelp for a bar or restaurant where they can celebrate and organize, they will be welcomed by rainbow map pins lighting their way.
LGBTQ-owned attribute
Business owners can add the new “LGBTQ-owned” attribute to display on their Yelp Page. This free, searchable attribute helps consumers find and support LGBTQ-owned businesses in their communities.
This attribute is now available and is an opt-in only feature, as the decision to identify as LGBTQ-owned should rest solely with the business.
If you are an LGBTQ-owned business and want to add the attribute to your Yelp Page and to appear in “LGBTQ-owned” search results, you can opt-in via your Yelp for Business account by following these simple steps:
- Log in to Yelp for Business (Business Information tab)
- In the Amenities section, click Add or Edit
- Select Yes next to “LGBTQ-owned”
- Click Save Changes
Did you know?
- All businesses that select the LGBTQ-owned attribute will be sent a free window decal in the mail (eligible for businesses with a physical location listed on Yelp).
- To protect businesses who choose to self-identify as LGBTQ-owned, Yelp is proactively monitoring pages for hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community and will remove any hateful, racist, or harmful content that violates our content guidelines.
- You can add unlimited attributes to your page to help you identify your business, including Open to All, Asian-owned, Latinx-owned, Black-owned, Women-owned, and more. Add your choice of attributes by following the same instructions as above.
- We spoke with experts to dive deeper into the top four ways that businesses can create inclusive, welcoming spaces for LGBTQ customers and employees.
- To celebrate Pride Month, the Yelp Community team is hosting dozens of virtual events with local LGBTQ-owned businesses (and allies). All events are free to join—check back often as the list is being updated regularly (see more info on hosting a Yelp event at your business). We also announced the top 100 LGBTQ+ bars across the country, from Sidetrack in Chicago to Bacchus Waikiki in Hawaii.
Rainbow map pins for Pride Month
In partnership with Open to All, inclusive restaurant, food, and nightlife businesses that have enabled the new LGBTQ-owned attribute or the Open to All attribute will have a rainbow-colored map pin for the month of June. Starting June 1, consumers can find these businesses highlighted with rainbow map pins by searching for Open to All or LGBTQ-owned restaurants or businesses, as well as through the homepage on the Yelp app and the search banner promoting inclusive businesses on web.
Note: Only LGBTQ-owned and Open To All searches for businesses in the restaurants, food, and nightlife categories will feature rainbow map pins. Standard (restaurant) searches will not show the Pride Month rainbow map pins.
Business resources
Open to All
Resources for Businesses
GLAAD
Media Reference Guide – 10th Edition
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation
Resources for Employers
Queer to Stay: An LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative
The Story Exchange
Speaking to Transgender Customers
Out & Equal
Toolkits and Guides from Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
University of Maryland
Good Practices: Inclusive Restrooms and Signage
Center for American Progress
What You Need To Know About The Equality Act
MAP Movement Advancement Project
Why We All Need the Equality Act Now
The Lesbian Bar Project
The Lesbian Bar Project
Out in Tech & National Black Justice Coalition
App to Map Safe Spaces for Black LGBTQ+ Folks
Ben & Jerry’s
LGBTQ+ Rights
Yelp’s Women in Business Summit
The Conscious Consumer: Engaging with Values-Driven Customers
Inspirational stories
The information above is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and may not be suitable for your circumstances. Unless stated otherwise, references to third-party links, services, or products do not constitute endorsement by Yelp.