LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Quick Research Resources

• Take advantage of Crunchbase's (in-library only) "Diversity Spotlight" feature, where you can filter for U.S. start-ups founded and led by LGBTQ+ individuals.

• Review Capital IQ Pro's LGBTQ market map, which consists of companies that provide products or services to LGBTQ communities or have a significant number of employees or customers who identify as LGBTQ.

  • Go Markets > Market Maps

• Use GuideStar Pro to locate nonprofit organizations who list LGBTQ people and intersex people as populations they serve.

• View Mintel's report on "Marketing to LGBTQ+ Communities – US – 2025"

• Read through OutLeadership's 2025 State LGBTQ+Business Climate Index Report to understand how hospitable U.S. States are to LGBTQ+ people, especially in the context of business, talent retention, and workplace inclusion.

• Explore HBS Cases with LGBTQ+ protagonists:

  • Dylan Pierce at Peninsula Industries

  • Individual and the Corporation: Kathy Levinson and ETRADE (A)

  • Lisa Sherman (A)

Contemporary Collections

Contemporary Collections aim to support the research and curriculum of the Harvard Business School today and into the future. Collection activities focus on the career and professional development needs of our MBA students and alumni, as well as on access to business content to the Harvard University community at large.

Alphabet Soup: The Essential Guide to LGBTQ2+ Inclusion at Work

Alphabet Soup: The Essential Guide to LGBTQ2+ Inclusion at Work provides an overview of workplace practices related to LGBTQ2+ inclusion. It outlines terminology, common workplace challenges, and strategies for supporting LGBTQ2+ employees. The book also discusses the broader economic and organizational implications of inclusive policies.

The diagram, titled "Will and Ned's Excellent Adventure!", uses a flowchart to illustrate the emotional and mental labor that closeted LGBTQ+ employees face when navigating seemingly simple workplace conversations. It follows Will as he decides whether to disclose what he did over the weekend with his partner, Ned.

As the chart unfolds, it reveals the complex and exhausting internal calculations LGBTQ+ individuals often face: assessing coworkers’ levels of awareness or acceptance, weighing potential risks, and determining whether to be honest, evasive, or closeted. The diagram ends by contrasting the energized start of an open employee’s day with the emotional exhaustion and isolation a closeted person might feel—underscoring the "Cost of the Closet" in terms of productivity, morale, and teamwork.

You can download a PDF of the featured content.

Handbook of LGBT Tourism and Hospitality: A Guide for Business Practice

Handbook of LGBT Tourism and Hospitality: A Guide for Business Practice explores how businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors can better serve LGBTQ customers and employees. The book combines research, case studies, and practical guidance on topics such as marketing, customer service, workplace inclusion, and legal considerations. It also addresses the economic impact of LGBTQ travel and consumer behavior.

These excised advertisements offer an array of diverse visuals aimed at LGBTQ+ inclusion, both in terms of diverse demographic representation and marketing strategy. Many explicitly position themselves as destinations or services that are safe, affirming, and enjoyable to queer travelers. They reflect a shift toward representing LGBTQ+ individuals as valued consumers in commercial spaces.

You can download a PDF of the featured content.

Working Knowledge

HBS Working Knowledge distills the latest faculty research into practical insights for leaders, entrepreneurs, and change agents. Stay up-to-date by signing up for the Working Knowledge Newsletter.