Why supporting LGBTQ+ businesses supports Greenville’s economy

Why supporting LGBTQ+ businesses supports Greenville’s economy

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Whether you’re eating a taco at Comal864 or dim sum at Sum Bar, two popular Greenville restaurants, you’re not only supporting queer-owned and queer-friendly businesses, you’re also boosting the Upstate economy.

According to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, LGBTQ-owned businesses contribute $1.7 trillion annually to the U.S. economy. Tyler Prescott, CEO and President of the Upstate LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, wants to have part of that pie stay in the Upstate.

“LGBT consumers [also] spend almost a trillion dollars in the economy every year. I, for one, would like some of that money to be kept and spent here,” Prescott said.

Comal864 and Sum Bar are both Upstate LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce members. Dayna Lee is the owner and founder of Comal 864, a James Beard Award semifinalist. Lee is also openly queer, which is an important ingredient you can’t taste in her food.

“There’s plenty of places in Greenville that have great food. Greenville is a foodie city at this point. I am one of many,” Lee said. “But when you walk in with me, you’re safe,” she continued. “You’re good. You can be yourself. You don’t have to put up a front.”

Sum Bar, Greenville’s dim sum restaurant and cocktail bar, is a James Beard Award-winning restaurant. It’s also an ally among the LGBTQ+ community.

“One of our mottos at Sum Bar is to be seen, heard and celebrated. And the idea is the sense of belonging,” owner Khailing Nheo said. “The joy in seeing people identify this space, this physical brick and mortar space, as a safe space is really lovely because it’s almost like shoulders are relaxed and faces are lifted,” Nheo continued.

That sense of inclusion matches the economic impact LGBTQ+ businesses have in Greenville, which the Chamber aims to make a more inclusive, enterprising city. Cities track that progress using the Municipal Equality Index (MEI), measured annually by the Human Rights Campaign.

“The MEI evaluates more than 500 cities nationally on 49 different criteria on how inclusive their municipal laws, policies, and services are for their LGBTQ+ residents and visitors. Those criteria cover non-discrimination laws and municipal employment policies, inclusiveness of city services, law enforcement, and municipal leadership on matters of equality,” Jarrod Wiggins, from the Upstate LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.

From 2020-21, Greenville scored 33 out of 100, and in 2022, it scored 52.

“[In 2023] they scored a 64, which is really exciting. There’s still work to be done there. I would love for the city to score 100. But you can see really rapid progress here in the city’s policies on how they economically include their employees and how they economically include their residents,” Prescott said.

Greenville’s growing score is a reflection of both the city’s growing economy and growing acceptance.

“Respect looks different in different ways. But if you can master patience and kindness and listening before speaking, respect is almost easy,” Nheo said.

And if customers have different beliefs, Lee said that’s okay.

“I am very, very big on making sure that we can all sit at a table together. We might not have anything in common, but let me put a plate of food down, and let’s figure out how much we have in common,” Lee said. “I promise you we will.”

The Upstate LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce is hosting a networking event on Friday, June 21, from 6 pm to 9 pm at New Realm Brewery on Main Street.

“Pride in Unity: A Night of Inclusive Pride Networking” is open to all LGBTQ+ individuals as well as allies and supporters. For tickets, click HERE.