#PeopleforPride: My Uniqueness is my Pride - It Can be Yours too
Hello and welcome back my chai buddies.
Since my return to India, a sight that has pretty much troubled me was the plight of transgenders on the streets. As a matter of fact, it seems like all transgender people are assumed and expected to be beggars by general perception. Since 2014, India has been making several significant reforms and provisions for providing jobs to transgenders and ensuring their access to higher education as well. Perhaps that’s the reason why we have noteworthy personalities in various fields like :
- Joyita Mondal and Sathyasri Sharmila in the legal field
- Prithika Yashini in the defense area
- Manabi Bandopadhyay in education
However, after going through the case of Sabi - an ex-naval employee who decided to open up and accept her sexual orientation as a transgender the scenario doesn't look very encouraging at all in India despite a report stating the Indian Army's inclusive nature towards transgenders or LGBTQIA+ community. And, with my personal experiences of witnessing bias, issues with social inclusion, and discrimination in accessing basic banking and health care facilities [1, 2], grass-root level progress must be achieved through integrated campaigns and workshops to ensure actual implementation of the policies at the centre in everyday life.
However, while some make changes within the system, others make a system for themselves and others. Entrepreneurs make their own path and there are many among the LGBTQIA+ community who have carved out a name for themselves and their brand. The challenges of being 'queer' didn't stop them from embarking upon an entrepreneurial journey and making a lasting positive mark in the world.
Today's blog will be a tribute to those #PeopleforPride who have let their differences shine and lead the way. In today's blog, let's talk about 7 successful LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs who are making it big and setting an example for others. Indeed one's sexual orientation shouldn't be a judgmental factor for success. One's talents and abilities stand tall irrespective of that. And these 7 entrepreneurs prove it perfectly. So let's begin.
1. David Geffen (Founder DreamWorks) (USA)
Born to Jewish immigrant parents and openly gay since 1992, David Geffen grew up to become an entertainment magnate producing records and films. He founded Asylum Records, Geffen Records, and Dreamworks - a film studio. Along the way, he has discovered & helped several talents in the entertainment industry rise and shine.
While sources say that at the beginning of his career he faked a UCLA degree to work in the William Morris Agency’s mailroom; due to his philanthropic contributions amounting to millions to the University of California and others like the Lincoln Center, Columbia Business School, Yale University, and the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is named after him.
2. Matthieu Jost (Misterb&b) (France)
When Matthieu traveled to Barcelona with his partner, he was treated badly by the owner who was not expecting a gay couple. This gave him a cue into the huge market potential against a need to have LGBTQIA+ homestays. Everyone travels and explores. So, this entrepreneur from France created travel solutions like Misterb&b customized to the LGBTQIA+ community. He wanted to create a more welcoming environment for people whom society sees in a different light.
3. Ashish Chopra (BeUnic) (India)
Coming from a country of unity in diversity, Ashish decided to celebrate his uniqueness and create a platform to unite others in a supporting ecosystem for the LGBTQ+ community.
Beunic is an eCommerce platform dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ artists and designers to offer their services. Additionally, they extend an excellent support system: from entrepreneurial to mental health support, community events to legal advice, queer literature to mentorship to some of India's best NGOs dedicated to supporting queer community and queer folks to offer any kind of help to the community might need in India. BeUnic has something for everyone.
4. Kento Hoshi (JobRainbow) (Japan)
The man who has a dream to support the dreams of other LGTBQ members and help them live a life of dignity, Kento Hoshi founded JobRainbow. In Japan, it is estimated that each year around 675,000 job-seeking individuals belong to the LGBT community. Yet, the recruitment process didn't take the uniqueness of the LGBTQ population into consideration. Identifying that many give up on their dreams of jobs merely citing sexual orientation, Kento decided to found JobRainbow - a recruitment platform dedicated to the LGBT+ community in Japan. His work reflects a motto - live your dreams and not compromise.
5.Domenico Dolce (Dolce & Gabbana) (Italy)
People with Pride are often regarded as people loving colors and fashion. Its also true that many great fashionistas do belong to the community. Domenico Dolce a fashion designer from Italy is a co-founder of the globally reputed D&G luxury fashion brand along with Stefano Gabbana. Until 2003, these business partners were partners in real life as well. D&G started with a motto to create fashion statements for women who are bold, elegant, and confident but will never diminish their roots, just like women from Sicily.
6. Peter Arvai (Prezi) (Sweden)
Do you need to create stunning marketing communications through presentations and videos having engaging visuals? I am sure you have heard of Prezi. Co-founded by Hungarian / Swedish entrepreneur Prezi is dedicated to bringing one's ideas and designs to life and aiding in making one an excellent presenter. Peter is regarded globally as an iconic LGBTQ+ leader to follow in techpreneurship. He has been a champion leader in addressing issues of the Pride community especially the issue of sexual harassment of LGBTQ+ members in the workplace. Thanks to his efforts, Prezi's recruitment and HR policies ensure celebrating diverse role models at the workplace - creating an encouraging environment for women, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ community members.
7. Jaymin (Jalisa) Luces-Mendes (toni marlow) (Canada)
Thought of undergarments that would be suitable and comfortable and accustomed to your unique body type! Identifying a need by the members of Queer community Jaymin (a Queer Non-binary Entrepreneur) founded Toni Marlow in Toronto, Canada. Produced locally and with high-quality fabrics, providing comfort no matter how unique you are or your body type is - this is at the heart of the business. This brand encourages people to express themselves as their truest self, instead of having to alter themselves or fit in. And, they are on a mission to raise $1,000,000 for suicide prevention, especially for those in the queer community who feel left alone in this world.
So these are our 7 LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.
Please let us know in the comment section - who is your favorite. Also, if you would love us to discuss any other members or you know of someone who is a local entrepreneur or leader in the field of LGTBQIA+ issues and providing support - either drop their names in the comment section or you can send an email here: aamiprabhasini@gmail.com.
That's all for now. See you again.
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