Being an openly LGBPQ business owner puts you at risk for losing potential bigoted customers, losing business and sales or being a direct target for discrimination, defamation, harassment and even violence against you or your property. As a person who lives authentically out and loud about it most of the time, safety permitting, my identity is a huge motivator for success in a business sense. I want to rise above the oppression that I’ve been subjected to and live a fulfilling life by being financially self sustainable; a goal and dream that is statistically and realistically unattainable for most folks in my community. Being an example of success and hard work to other people may have the same struggles is important, not just for my community but for representation in a greater sense.
Our identities are often ignored and erased and stories told about us in media are almost always stories or struggle, I want to tip scales and show that TGNC people CAN succeed and can find fulfillment in a career where you are your own boss. I lived for a long time silenced, and small and afraid to seek the things that would make me happy because we, as a community are told we are undeserving of any of the things that everyone in the white, cishet world automatically expect without question.
I want to be seen as a Trans GNC business owner and speak up about it for all those who haven’t found their voice yet and give them the hope that they can have a future. Being out as a queer and trans person is a part of who I am, of course, it will always inform the way I operate my business, how I interact with the world, how i use my position to advocate and support others in my community. I wear it proudly and hope I can inspire others the way my trancestors helped guide me and find my way.”
– Usnea M
*Bear and Usnea are in the midst of taking ownership of Some Like it Hott.
