Is ChatLGBTQ on the way?
In this week’s newsletter we dive into Grindr’s just-announced partnership with an artificial intelligence company that specializes in making virtual girlfriends and boyfriends.
Another app, gaming and streaming platform Discord, has made a step in a positive direction to protect LGBTQ+ users.
We also take a look at two pieces of legislation: one federal bill that will protect LGBTQ-owned businesses from lending discrimination, and a state bill in Missouri that will prevent private companies from exerting their right to boycott bigoted businesses.
And there’s even more to dig into!
As always, if you find value in our work, we would really appreciate your financial support to sustain and grow Queerency.
Enjoy this week’s roundup of LGBTQ+ business news!
Until next week,
Trav đź’ś
Top Line
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Grindr is adding an AI “wingman” into its app
Grindr, the largest LGBTQ+ dating app in the world, announced today that it is collaborating with Ex-Human, a generative artificial intelligence startup, to integrate AI into its app.
Executives say the chatbot will help “transform the dating experience for the global LGBTQ+ community.”
But, there are privacy concerns.
Read the full story at Queerency
Missouri Bill Would Ban Many Companies From “Refusing To Deal With” Anti-Trans Businesses
A new bill in Missouri could significantly curtail the ability of companies in the state to pull business with other companies over anti-trans, anti-abortion, or other policies. The bill, Senate Bill 1061, would ban companies doing business with the state from engaging in “economic boycotts” over a large list of issues, including transgender care and abortion.
Continue reading at Erin in the Morning.
Discord bans misgendering and deadnaming
The policy update is a welcomed step to protect LGBTQ+ users as hate speech increases on large social media platforms.
Read the full story at Queerency.
A new bill aims to safeguard LGBTQ-owned businesses against lending discrimination
The bicameral bill would amend the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to require the collection of small business loan data related to LGBTQ-owned businesses.
Read the full story at Queerency.
Realistic New Year’s resolutions for 2024
2023 has been an eye-opening year.
We wore silver to the Renaissance Tour. We paid an AI yearbook app $9.99 to generate the high school versions of our current selves. We financially struggled with inflation and tried to go back to “normal” after a pandemic that changed everything. And, most importantly, we continue to witness a genocide in Gaza, which is radicalizing the ways we think about the world, the ways we relate to one another, and the ways we spend money.
Read the full story at Queerency.
Equity
Queer-Owned and -Allied Businesses In the News
Sponsored
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Good News in Queer Business, Politics, and More
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Future Outlook
Opportunities & Events to Know About
Creating Change 2024
Join the nation’s foremost political, leadership, and skills-building conference for the LGBTQ+ movement at the Hilton Riverside in New Orleans from Wednesday, January 17 to Sunday, January 21, 2024! Enjoy a mix of Institutes, keynote presentations, annual awards, and more than 100 workshops and caucuses.
Black Identity Development Conference
Join LGBTQ+ author and activists George M. Johnson, Hope Giselle, Dr. Torie Weiston-Serdan, and BrandElsa Pereira on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the inaugural Black Identity Development Conference.
