The Balance Sheet: December 21, 2023

The Balance Sheet 2 1

Happy Holidays, Queerency fam!

As we ease into a much-needed vacation, this week’s newsletter includes:

  • a wild story about St. Louis police crashing into a gay bar and then arresting the bar owner
  • a profile of Amanda Ralston, a queer neurodivergent entrepreneur taking a nonbinary approach to helping the autistic community
  • a useful list of 7 nonfiction books by members of the Queerency community that will make great last-minute gift ideas

And more!

Finally, if you find value in our work, we would really appreciate your financial support to sustain and grow Queerency. Please champion this labor of love by becoming a supporter or making a one-time donation.

Enjoy this week’s roundup of LGBTQ+ business news!

Happy Holidays,

Trav 💜

Top Line

Stories With Main Character Energy

After Crashing Into Gay Bar, St. Louis Police Arrest Bar Owner

According to co-owner James Pence, police told him that the crash was caused after an officer swerved to avoid hitting a dog in the street. But when Pence arrived on the scene, things took a turn for the worse.

Read the full story at Queerency

Queer, neurodivergent entrepreneur takes a nonbinary approach in helping autistic community

Amanda Ralston is the founder of NonBinary Solutions (NBS), an innovative, decision-support software company aimed at aiding clinicians through the steps of providing care for people on the spectrum. 

Read the full story at Queerency.

7 Nonfiction Books by LGBTQ+ Authors that Make Great Last-Minute Holiday Gifts

Despite an influx of book bans this year, LGBTQ+ book sales are up. If you’re looking for last-minute gifts for loved ones or yourself this year, here are 7 nonfiction books from members of the Queerency community.

Read the full story at Queerency.

Equity

Queer-Owned and -Allied Businesses In the News

In partnership with Sonara.ai

Sonara is a new tool that uses AI to automate your job search and take the work out of finding a position. Job hunting is a numbers game, so the more applications you submit, the more interviews you’ll get.

All you have to do is upload your resume and it applies to hundreds of relevant job openings for you. This gives you your time back and allows you to be more selective about which interviews you take.

There’s a free trial to start using Sonara, and then it switches to a monthly subscription. But as a member of the Queerency community, you can save 20% off your first month using this link: bit.ly/46vDsNm

Assets

Good News in Queer Business, Politics, and More

Facts & Figures

Data to Digest

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.

Learn more and register here

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.

Learn more and register here