There is perhaps no greater equalizer across all racial, cultural, gender or societal differences than money. It can bring enemies together and break up families and friendships. The old adage “Would you … for a million dollars?” goes to show that even the most deeply held core beliefs can be overlooked if just enough money is involved.
In the United States especially, even the idea of great wealth can have surprising ramifications. In no other country will the poorest citizens forsake their own well-being and vote for a tax break for the rich simply because they believe they will reach that financial pinnacle themselves someday. However, as perhaps the GLBT community knows more than any other, money can change how you behave, but it cannot change who you are.
I certainly wish there was some inspiring story in my life about how my sexuality kept me above the fray while seeking the pot of gold at the end of my own personal rainbow. But as the owner of a technology company, my business grew in the late 1990s, struggled to survive the dot-com crash, and now seeks to find new business opportunities in a crowded technology market, just like hundreds of my straight brethren. However, while many businesses did not survive the down market, mine persevered. Nearly 25 percent of my business during that time came from within the GLBT community and the friendships I built through the AGLCC. Being gay wasn’t a magic pill for success, but it certainly was the path to survival I needed to keep my business growing.
The intersection of wealth and sexuality comes to a fine point in this month’s issue of Forward Austin. But there is an untold story of how money affects the GLBT community. There are countless people who remain in the closet either partially or in whole over fears related to finances. “Will I lose my job if I come out?” or even “Will I get passed up for promotion?” factor into a complex coming-out decision. There are many people who, while out to their friends or family, remain in the closet at work because of potential monetary repercussions.
The transgender community especially fights this battle as co-workers and customers often have a difficult time understanding someone who expresses their true gender identity beyond conservative social norms. And while as adults we are responsible for our own successes and failures, GLBT youth must deal with not just the emotional repercussions of coming out but also the financial hardships should their family reject them.
It is not my assertion that simply choosing a GLBT-friendly business will solve these societal problems overnight. However, it is an easy first step. Choosing to support businesses that support the AGLCC starts a chain reaction of financial influence that is pervasive throughout the community. The power of “gay money” is not the creation of a measurable demographic or a lucrative target market, but the harnessing of our collective economic impact to speak the universal language of equality.