A model question for gay business

A conference in Dublin tomorrow on business strategies for gay and minority communities will hear many tales of international success stories, but will also question its own existence

IT HAS been in existence for three years, but now the Irish Gay Business Association (IGBA) is co-hosting a conference with a central theme that questions its very existence. “Segregation or Support – Is there a need for an Irish Gay Business Association?” is the question being asked at today’s conference, co-hosted by the Institute of Minority Entrepreneurship (IME), with speakers including Senator David Norris, Dominick Daly of IBM and Rory O’Neill (aka Panti).

Conference organiser Etain Kidney has been involved in research on gay and lesbian entrepreneurs for more than two years now, which put her in contact with international gay business associations. “I went to a few meetings, and looked at successful models that were happening abroad. People did find that this kind of support network was helping them and facilitating their businesses. They were using it to find new customers and new suppliers.” According to Kidney, research shows that “40 per cent of people who are gay and own businesses target their own community”, although rarely exclusively so. “Going back 20 years, there’d have been a higher percentage [exclusively targeting the gay community] because there was no one else serving them, and the focus was on being different, whereas now the focus is on equality rather than difference.”

Yet does the existence of a gay business association only further segregation or, for those with businesses catering to the gay and lesbian community, can it help? "I think it's an interesting question to ask, but I think it's very important for any minority group, whether it be an African business association or a Travellers' business association, or any minority group," says Rachel Armstrong, co-editor of lesbian e-zine Gaelick.com. "We all need to support one another."

For Armstrong, those within the community have a particular understanding of the kind of obstacles gay and lesbian business people come up against, and can help find solutions. “We all understand the prejudices and biases that we face so we can support one another.”

For the editors of Gaelick, the IGBA has been of practical assistance. "We found them very helpful," says Armstrong. "They give you great feedback, great ideas, and yes, I think it is important."

Yet is there a danger that to create such an entity serves to further segregate the community it is intended to support? “It’s not about segregation at all,” says Armstrong. “We’re such a small group we can’t afford to segregate ourselves. It’s much more about helping each other out so we can jump in with the big boys.”

For Dubliner Vickey Curtis, today’s conference is also an opportunity to hear active members of the gay community speak about their experiences and the lessons they have learned over years of campaigning and doing business. “I’m very interested in the speakers,” she says. “Especially Rory O’Neill, because of his dealings with Alternative Miss Ireland over the years.” For Curtis, it’s also an opportunity to listen to ideas and meet new people. “I’m taking a career break from work, so I’m trying to expand my horizons and do a bit of networking.”

The conference is as much targeted at gay and lesbian employees in the workforce as it is at entrepreneurs, with issues such as the importance of diversity and promoting the empowerment of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in the workplace also on the agenda.

“I’ve been involved in the development of the Gay Business Association for three years, but over the past couple of years we’ve had forums – and feedback has come from both sides,” says Kidney. “From people who feel they face workplace issues, wanting a go-to resource, but also from gay entrepreneurs who run businesses for the community.”

Tomorrow’s conference, Kidney says, is for all sectors of the community, in many of which see the Gay Business Association as an essential tool for employers and employees. “It is a support network too,” adds Curtis. So I think it’s good to have and good to know.”

The Gay Business Conference kicks off tomorrow at 1pm in the Dublin Institute of Technology in Aungier Street. More information at irishgaybusinessconference.wordpress.com.