LGBTQ+ Marketing
5 Best Practices for your LGBTQ+ Marketing Campaign
An overview of the dos and don'ts for LGBTQ+ marketing.
Business Case Guide for LBGTQ+ Marketing
Includes information on: LGBTQ buying power, demographics and trends, case studies, changing demand in representation, and the Corporate Equality Index. Free to download.
Examples of LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Brand Marketing
A few examples of companies who have appealed to the LGBTQ+ market through inclusive marketing.
Creating an Inclusive Workplace
Out & Equal: Workplace Advocates
A toolkit for helping to assess the level of LGBTQ+ inclusion in your workplace.
A New LGBTQ+ Workforce Has Arrived
Boston Consulting Group article outlining the push towards inclusive work environments.
Creating a Trans-Inclusive Workplace
Harvard Business Review article outlining how to grow policies and cultures that support trans employees.
LGBTQ+ Business Support
StartOut
A non-profit organization that empowers LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs through mentorship, networking events, funding opportunities, and more.
Out Leadership
An organization that helps businesses align their brand with the LGBTQ+ market through leadership events.
INvolve
A consultancy network that assists companies in measuring and implementing diversity in the workplace.
Backstage Capital
A venture capital fund that supports underrepresented founders in local programs around the world including those who identify as LGBTQ+.
LGBTQ+ Data Sources
Research
CMI (Community Marketing & Insights)
Marketing data including the Annual LGBTQ+ Community Survey.
MAP (Movement Advancement Project): LGBT Populations
Maps of LGBTQ+ Populations by state, plus additional sociodemographic information.
U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Measures, characteristics, and experiences of the LGBTQ+ population, with an emphasis on how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted households across the country.
Lists of People
LGBTQ+ Businesspersons
An interactive list of select LGBTQ+ businesspersons sortable by industry.
The OUTstanding Role Model Lists
A showcase of LGBTQ+ executives, future leaders, and allies.
Library Databases
Mintel Reports
U.S. consumer market studies and primary and secondary data analysis for topics including food, beverage, apparel, beauty, retail, and travel. Demographic specific reports are also available.
-Search for "LGBT and marketing" to find reports about campaigns for the LGBTQ+ community.
-Search for "LGBT and pride" to find reports about campaigns for pride month.
Statista
Statista is a searchable database of statistics, studies, dossiers, infographics and more. HBS alumni version available via eBaker.
-You can search for information related to LGBTQ+ ads, purchases, employee benefits, travel, and more.
S&P Capital IQ Pro
News, data, transactions, filings and analysis covering financial, real estate, insurance, energy, media, consumer and industrial industries. An industry focused platform, does NOT replace functionality and information found in Capital IQ. Formerly known as S&P Global Market Intelligence. Individual account required.
-You can use the "LGBTQ" tag to explore deals and a market map of public/private companies that provide services related to gay communities, gay lives, LGBTQ communities, bisexual, lesbian, queer, and transgender individuals.
GuideStar Pro
Information about the missions, programs, and finances of IRS-recognized organizations.
-You can search by organizations that serve LGBTQ and intersex populations
Additional Resources
Baker Library Pride Bookshelf
An interactive bookshelf of LGBTQ+ business texts as well as books suggested by the HBS community.
Baker Library Pride Month Resources
A variety of tips and resources for learning more about HBS, business, and the LGBTQ+ community.
The Book of Lists (American City Business Journals): The Largest LGBTQ Businesses
- The Boston Business Journal HOLLIS Record
- Lists for the Largest LGBTQ Businesses exist for many cities, ranked over several years