March 31st is International Transgender Day of Visibility. On this day, we recognize all of the amazing contributions that trans and non-binary people have made in our society while acknowledging that there’s still lots of work to be done ahead.
In honor of this occasion, we’re highlighting some of the incredible trans-owned businesses across North America while sharing resources to become better allies so that we’re curating more inclusive environments where everyone can thrive while being their true selves.
While not all businesses may be on Yelp, we encourage you to support these amazing makers and entrepreneurs today and all year-round through your purchases, following and re-sharing them on social media, and offering them a voice whenever possible.
Repair Revolution (Seattle, WA)
“Thank you to Repair Revolution for creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all people! I stress/procrastinate car care. I’ve had awful interactions with mechanics in the past and often leave feeling frustrated and confused as to what actually is happening to my vehicle. Repair Revolution explained everything step by step and answered all my questions thoroughly and patiently.” – Yelper, Hannah D
Folklore Salon & Barber (Los Angeles, CA)
“Pony has been cutting my hair for 20 years. He’s the only one I trust with not only the exact precise cut I want, but also with the unique amazing color. You can show him photos and get it to the exact replication or he’ll tell you when your type of hair can’t replicate and modify to what your hair can do.” – Yelper, Aubrie D
Cake Life Bake Shop (Philadelphia, PA)
“So worth the drive into the city. Don’t let the quiet facade fool you. Inside it is bustling and has so many lovely looking treats. My faves are the honey lavender cake and the giant cinnamon bun. Both are moist and full of flavor. Not sugared down but just right. Honey shortbread cookies and unicorn meringues are the best!” – Yelper, Audrey M
Big Bro’s Barber Shop (Vancouver, BC)
“I’ve been getting my hair cut by Jessie for a few months now, and it’s done so much for my confidence levels as I go out into the world. As a queer African-American, it’s really important that I’m in a comfortable environment where people listen to what I want, and are welcoming.” – Yelper, Bran S
Galeria Mitotera (Tucson, AZ)
Galeria Mitotera is a place to celebrate Latinx culture, uplift artists of color, and create a safe space for community members and artists to inspire one another through art and togetherness. Mel “Melo” Dominguez is an artist, muralist from Los Angeles who has lived in Tucson since 2007. His artwork is a direct expression of his Chicano/a culture, political issues, social issues, and environmental issues. He enjoys using creativity and activism to create a difference throughout the Tucson community.
Jennivee’s Bakery (Chicago, IL)
“I would literally walk to the moon and back for anything ube or taro flavored. SO happy I finally found a bakery that has ube desserts. I tried the cheesecake and cupcake and both were absolutely to die for. The place itself is super cute and everyone working was very friendly. I believe they have some outdoor seating so it will be a super cute spot in the summer!” – Elite, Ali M
Sundaze (Austin, TX)
“Crispy fried buffalo bites and tender NFC (No Frickin Chicken) sandwiches are the standouts… This stuff is like childhood nostalgia on a soft white bun. It’s got that old-school fast food flavor, without the meat, in the best way possible.” – Elite, Hannah K
Americano (Los Angeles, CA)
“Charlie at Americano has perfectly captured what I needed to succeed as a small business owner. He asked me the hard hitting questions and always kept the bigger picture in mind. From the very first consultation, Charlie has understood what I needed and the brand conditioning really pointed the arrow to guide me. I enjoyed every step of the process and can trust Charlie to have answers to all of my marketing and branding questions.” – Yelper, Kindra W
International Transgender Day of Visibility might be officially celebrated on March 31, but the trans community and its members deserve support and recognition every single day. At Yelp, we work every day (and aim to improve every day) to ensure our trans community and allies walk into a supportive workplace.
- We’re a proud member of HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act
- We design our workplace policies to match our values, and we’re proud to have received a perfect HRC CEI workplace score of 100 for the eight year in a row
- We ally ourselves with causes we believe in: we filed an amicus brief with the HRC supporting the rights of transgender students in Adams v. School Board of St. John’s County Florida
- In our app, Yelp’s “Gender Neutral Bathrooms” and “Open to All” business attributes help people find and support trans and non-binary friendly businesses
We’re committed to continually educating ourselves and others on the progress so far, the work ahead, and ensuring space for all voices to be heard.
