According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Federal organization after over a year of review, supports LGBT businesses. During the first few days of the Trump Administration, the SBA “took down resources targeted at LGBT business owners from its website, stating that those pages – along with many others – were “under review.”” While it is still unclear why this issue was taken down and why it took so long to review, it appears that (for now) small business resources will be provided for the community.
Last month the lack of representation for LGBT businesses gained traction culminating in a letter from New York Democrats Reps. Nydia M. Velazquez and Yvette D. Clarke. In it they questioned the lack of information as well as pointed to an NBC News report showing that 1.4 million LGBT owned businesses account for “nearly $2 trillion in economic contributions” for the US.
Since its re-establishment, the website has “been updated with an official statement expressing regret for the delay and confusion, saying that the agency is “proud to support the LGBT business community,” and “conducts outreach to be more inclusive of LGBT business owners, and our staff welcomes and recognizes the importance of greater inclusion at all levels and to all communities.””
