LGBTQ Agenda: Out entrepreneurs work to break glass ceiling often seen in startups
In the United States, 16 states and three territories offer no protections to LGBTQ workers meaning, in other words, one can be fired simply because one identifies under one of the letters of the acronym, according to the Movement Advancement Project.
On the other hand, 33 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia do offer such protections, sometimes explicitly, as is here in California, or through a broader interpretation of anti-discrimination laws based on sex.
Of course, it isn't just employment on which figures like that have an impact. LGBTQs trying to build the companies that employ others are affected by this as well.
In fact, 37% of LGBTQ startup founders choose not to come out according to StartOut, a startup accelerator offering mentoring, education, and networking opportunities for young companies that happen to be founded or cofounded by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs."Many LGBT founders choose to remain closeted while raising capital," according to a study by the organization, "when fundraising, 63% of LGBT founders came out to investors during the process — most in the early stages of discussions — but a meaningful 37% chose not to self-identify as members of the LGBT community, 12% citing concerns that it might hurt their chances to get capital, while 47% said that 'being out' wasn't relevant."That may be changing following the 2020 U.S.
