Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) has released the first ever snapshot demonstrating the economic and social impact of America’s LGBT business owners and entrepreneurs.
The “America’s LGBT Economy” report explores the revenues, types, sizes, and geography of LGBT-owned businesses currently certified by the NGLCC, as well as the number of jobs they create and the personal narratives of successful LGBT business owners who reflect the very best about America’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.
Key findings in the report include:
• In 2015, NGLCC certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs) alone contributed over $1.15 billon to the US economy; if all estimated LGBT-owned businesses in America are projected, their contribution to the economy exceeds $1.7 trillion
•Over 900 Certified LGBTBEs have created over 33,000 jobs in the United States
•LGBTBEs have an average revenue of $2,475,642,
•Average LGBT enterprises have been in business at least 12 years— far above national average, as some reports state nearly half of small businesses fail in their first five years
•The number of non-white LGBT business owners continues to increase annually—now at over 17%, bolstered by NGLCC’s leadership in the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC) which brings together all minority business communities
“The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is elated to be able to evidence through this report what we’ve observed since our founding fifteen years ago: that America’s LGBT business owners are driving our economy upward and deserve every opportunity to keep creating jobs and innovating our industries,” said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson.
“The estimated 1.4 million LGBT business owners NGLCC advocates for have truly earned a place at the equality table.”
The “America’s LGBT Economy” report can be viewed and downloaded at www.nglcc.org/report