Marketing to & for LGBTQ+ People Requires More Than a Rainbow Logo
We'll dig into:
Why rainbow logos aren't enough - and what true inclusion looks like
LGBTQ+ online safety in an increasingly hostile landscape
Corporate retreat: Why brands are backing away from Pride (and how we push back)
Get to know more about this year’s panelists ⬇️
Your host, Travers.
Founder & CEO of Queerency, creator of LGBTQ+ Business Week, Forbes contributor, and one of the leading voices at the intersection of queer identity, media, and the creator economy.
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Travers Johnson (he/him) is the Founder & CEO of Queerency, the leading source for LGBTQ+ business news. He is also the Creator of LGBTQ+ Business Week, an annual 7-day celebration of queer-owned small businesses. Travers is an award-winning content strategist and editor with 15 years of experience in digital media, digital marketing, and book publishing. A Forbes contributor who covers topics at the intersection of the queer economy and the creator economy, Travers has worked for and with industry-leading companies including Mailchimp, Penguin Random House, Edelman, and Scholastic. He was trained at Morehouse College and Georgetown University and is a winner of the Google News Initiative Pitchfest and the Maynard Institute Media Entrepreneurship Award. You can follow his work at queerency.com and on TikTok and Instagram.
Adrianna, panelist.
Co-Founder & CCO of VZNAYRES, building conversion-focused websites for mission-driven orgs
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Adriana Leos is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of vznayres (pronounced "visionaries"), a women and minority-owned web design studio, specializing in building impactful, user-friendly websites for mission-driven organizations. With a strategic approach to design and digital marketing, she helps nonprofits, educators, and service-based businesses create beautiful, conversion-focused websites that align with their goals. Passionate about creativity and accessibility, Adriana ensures every project reflects her clients’ mission and values.
Anna, panelist.
Founder of No Revisions, known for social strategy and CPG growth magic
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Founder of No Revisions, an a-la-carte marketing agency for startups, and social media strategist with over 13 years of experience in organic CPG marketing.
Cat, panelist.
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Cat Perez (She/They) is the CEO and Co-founder of Famm Connect, the first social network for LGBTQ+ professionals, businesses, and entrepreneurs. Drawing from 15+ years of product and design experience in tech, Cat and their cofounder/wife built a supportive community of 2,200+ members and 850+ queer-owned businesses after launching 3 months ago as a bootstrapped startup. Featured in TechCrunch, HuffPost, AP and more, Cat is passionate about creating the economic infrastructure the LGBTQ+ community needs - where queer professionals can network, collaborate, support and grow their businesses while being authentically themselves.
Co-Founder & CEO of Famm Connect, the brand-new LGBTQ+ biz networking app already 2,200+ members strong
Chris, panelist.
Stand-up comic and owner of Kismet MKTG, fusing humor and heart into branding.
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Based in Denver, Chris Ryan (He/Him) is a digital marketer by day, and a standup comedian by nights and weekends. Chris is the Owner & Chief Strategist of Kismet MKTG, a full-service marketing agency with an emphasis on all things digital, content, & digital content.
Charlie, panelist.
Founder of Everywhere Is Queer, the global map of queer-friendly spaces
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Hi! I am so grateful you have made it here. I’d love to share a little bit about myself and how this idea started and became a reality:
My name is Charlie (he/they) - founder and creator of Everywhere Is Queer and our worldwide map. I grew up on stolen Ho-Chunk land (Milwaukee, WI) and currently call the stolen land from the Multnomah (Portland, OR) home.
A few years ago, I had the privilege of traveling (i.e. sleeping at least one night) in 41 of the 50 United States and my biggest take away from that experience is the very website you’re on right now: Everywhere Is Queer! Throughout all my travels, pit stops, and visits to new places, I kept finding myself searching “queer spots in _____.” Maybe you can relate to that?
Then in July, 2021, I volunteered at Brave Trails, a queer youth camp, and driving back to Colorado where I lived at the time, I was ruminating on my road trip experience. I said, “I just wish there was a map of safe spaces for queer people!” And the lightbulb lit up. Everywhere Is Queer became an idea that I couldn’t stop thinking about, sharing with people, and eventually spending all my extra time on. I soon found myself starting to network with queer-owned businesses across the world, and I knew this was something people wanted and needed. So, we did it. And now you’re lookin’ at it!
I’m so glad you’ve found us and can not only use our map whenever you need it, but you help others find those safe spaces, too! Consider yourself a part of our EIQ community.
Our team LOVES to meet new people and are open to any ideas on how we can collaborate, and would love the opportunity to hear your story. We are here to listen, always.
If you’d like to work with me directly, I am available for in-person educational workshops and speaking engagements. Let’s talk about it!
Femily, panelist.
Workplace culture and inclusion advisor, strategist, and coach for tech startups, Femily Howe.
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Femily is a trusted advisor helping tech companies improve work climates for women, nonbinary, and LBGTQAI+ and other underrepresented and underserved individuals.
Femily also coaches queer/trans/feminist entrepreneurs and business owners to make more money while making an impact. Her flagship program “Future Thought Leader” has prepared 350+ to lead businesses and social change authentically as marginalized people.
A sought-after speaker at conferences like SXSW, she’s also an expert featured by NPR, Fast Company, and The Washington Post.
Femily is a white, Jewish anti-racist queer femme.