Ginger Fatale (they/she) is the Founder of Soul On Fire Dance, a non-binary, POC, and queer-owned dance studio dedicated to inclusivity for all bodies. Founded in 2021, Soul On Fire Dance provides a welcoming space for dancers of all ages and skill levels, blending the joy of movement with a mission to foster equity, diversity, and trauma-informed care. Ginger brings a unique blend of expertise to the studio as a seasoned burlesque performer, choreographer, and licensed mental health professional, ensuring that Soul On Fire Dance is not just a place to learn but a safe haven for self-expression and empowerment.

Head South, founded by Cat Meyer, is a sexual wellness brand that encourages open and honest conversations about sexual health through its product line and podcast, Head South Radio. Drawing from her experience in haircare and a passion for sexual wellness, Cat created the brand to address the gaps in sex education and empower individuals with knowledge and resources. With a focus on accessibility and inclusivity, Head South aims to provide a platform for meaningful discussions around sexual wellness, helping people make informed decisions about their relationships and sexual experiences.

Eli Lawliet, Ph.D. (he/him), is the Founder of The Gender Doula, a transformative service providing personalized support for those transitioning, questioning, or exploring their gender, as well as their families.

Morgan Henry Kerr is the Founder of I AM MAMO, a queer parenthood consultancy dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and couples on their journey to parenthood. Launched in 2023, Morgan created the company after navigating her own challenging trying-to-conceive (TTC) journey, which involved 16 IUI cycles. Recognizing the profound lack of resources and support available for queer parents-to-be, Morgan was inspired to create a space where others could find the guidance, community, and compassion that was missing from her own experience.

David Suk (he/him) is the founder of Saint Luna Spirits, a brand redefining moonshine with a premium, modern twist. Drawing from his experience as the Chief Operating Officer at aden + anais, David embarked on an entrepreneurial journey to create a unique and meaningful product. Saint Luna Spirits, known for its exceptional quality and commitment to authenticity, is more than just a spirit—it's a tribute to American history and a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. With a distinct mashbill of 95% Grade A molasses and 5% rye, Saint Luna delivers a one-of-a-kind flavor profile that stands out in the crowded spirits market. David’s vision is to grow the brand organically while staying true to its roots and expanding distribution across the U.S.

Karis Rogerson (she/her), a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ voices, founded her editorial services business to help authors refine their stories and amplify their narratives. With a focus on copy editing, line editing, and providing detailed feedback, Karis specializes in genres such as YA—covering contemporary, fantasy, and romance—as well as all categories of children’s literature and adult romance.

Flee Kieselhorst is the Founder of FotosByFlee, a versatile photography business specializing in portraiture, events, and commercial shoots, including food, products, and real estate. Her mission is to capture the essence of her subjects, bringing out the vibrant energy of their personalities in each photo. Flee’s work is known for its colorful, clean, and playful style, with each image thoughtfully incorporating the environment to add depth and context.

The article highlights the critical importance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives in today's challenging political climate. It introduces six LGBTQ+ service providers dedicated to fostering inclusive and equitable environments in organizations.

Lael Atkinson is dedicated to helping individuals overcome challenges related to substance use and disordered eating through their recovery coaching practice and their Beyond Shrinking & Drinking program. As a certified professional recovery coach, Lael combines their personal journey in both areas with professional expertise to offer both one-on-one and group coaching. Their unique approach emphasizes early intervention and tackles the often-overlooked connection between drinking and issues with food and body.

Rex Wilde (they/them) is the Founder of Rex Wilde Consulting, a firm dedicated to integrating transgender and gender expansive (TGX+) inclusion into broader diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) frameworks within organizations. As a nonbinary LGBTQ+ educator and business consultant with over a decade of experience, Rex specializes in training workshops, policy consulting, and strategic advising. Their work empowers workplaces to foster environments where TGX+ inclusion promotes a sense of belonging for all employees. Rex has provided training for over 200 companies, including Spectrum/Charter, UPS, ADP, and the Sundance Institute.

Ali Kane (she/they) is the Founder of ALK Consulting, a consultancy dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across organizations. Launched in December 2022, ALK Consulting stems from Ali's dual passions: a career journey blending storytelling and nonprofit fundraising, alongside a deeply rooted commitment to DEI. Drawing from personal experiences of feeling different from others as a left-handed redhead kid, coupled with the influence of her mother's career as a special education teacher, Ali's upbringing instilled in her a profound respect for diversity and compassion.

17th & Granville is a clothing brand founded by Anissa “Donny” Truitt, dedicated to amplifying the voices of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. Inspired by Truit's personal experiences and the lack of representation in the fashion industry, the brand creates inclusive and diverse collections that resonate with underrepresented individuals. By recognizing the cultural influence of these communities, 17th & Granville aims to tell authentic stories through fashion, providing clothing that aligns with the unique identities of its customers. The founder's commitment to inclusivity drives the creative process, focusing on the specific needs and challenges faced by these communities, and fostering meaningful connections with customers through thoughtful design and quality products.

Ryan Criswell, the creative force behind Cute Story Events, invites us into their world of event planning. Starting their career at the front desk of a Hilton hotel, Ryan honed their organizational skills that would later help them navigate planning large events. Their career pivoted during South by Southwest, where Ryan's involvement in coordinating over 450 volunteers amplified their desire to plan large events. This experience was further enriched during the pandemic when Ryan collaborated with a production agency to pioneer virtual and hybrid events nationwide.

Van Ethan Levy (they/elle) is a dually Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as well as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor dedicated to creating accessible mental health resources. With a focus on trans and non binary identities, disability justice, and harm reduction, they’ve developed a range of community resource tools, including the interactive book Exploring My Identity(ies), a documentary called Do Something: Trans & Non Binary Identities, and the No More GateKeeping app. They also organize the annual Do Something: Identity(ies) conference.

This year we attended the Big Queer Cookout during Sacramento Pride, where we had the opportunity to connect directly with our community. This event was extra special because we partnered with Brit Spencer, the founder of Safe Space Photo, who also happens to be one of our wonderful service providers on Famm.

Lee Turner and Leslie Hensley are the Co-Founders of HENSLEE, a boutique HR group known for its unique people-first approach.

Andrew Dort is the Founder of Pride Lending LLC, the first mortgage company in the United States founded with a mission to serve the LGBTQ+ community.

Martin Gratton, the founder of Skin & Tones, shared his journey of developing high-quality tattoo aftercare products, emphasizing the importance of self-confidence, diversity, and self-care in both his business and the tattoo industry.