The internet has changed the way the world exchanges information. And for the LGBTQ population, the internet can be a lifeline and an important resource for identity and community formation, connections to local LGBTQ organizations, and vital online support spaces. Digital access can be limited, however, especially in rural America.

Christopher Wood, Executive Director of the LBGT Technology Partnership and Institute, discusses how this technology gap impacts LGBTQ Americans in rural areas, along with efforts to boost digital inclusion.

Recent years have afforded many advancements in the movement for LGBTQ equality. And while public opinion polls show that visibility and acceptance continue to rise, not all subgroups reap the same benefits. For African-Americans who identify as LGBTQ, equality gaps do exist across earning ability, health issues and inclusion.

David J. Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, discusses the black equality gap, along with his organization’s efforts to foster higher rates of acceptance and visibility for the black LGBTQ population.

In 1974, Kathy Kozachenko was elected to the Ann Arbor City Council in Michigan, becoming the first openly gay or lesbian candidate elected to public office in the United States. Forty-four years later, representation stands at 539 elected officials who openly identify as LGBTQ, holding public office from municipal to federal levels. While this number is at an all-time high, this population remains underrepresented at just 0.1 percent of all elected official nationwide.

Ruben Gonzales, Vice President of Leadership Initiatives at the LGBTQ Victory Institute, joins Paul Lisnek to discuss efforts to increase the ranks of LGBTQ elected officials and create a national network to help further LGBTQ equality through the organization’s “Out for America Census Project.

There are an estimated 1.4 million LGBTQ-owned businesses in America today contributing $1.7 trillion to the national economy. More than 1,000 of these businesses are officially certified as LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBE) by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

A discussion with Jacob Palalay, Senior Director of Corporate Relations for the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, about the economic contributions of LGBTQ businesses and the benefits of being certified as an LGBTBE.

In 2017, the American Psychological Association reported that social isolation and loneliness are major health threats that will continue to grow. This impacts the LGBTQ community, especially for those who are closeted or restrain their authentic identity in the workplace. As more Americans continue to identify as LGBTQ, how can the business world adapt?

Erin Uritus, CEO of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, discusses the need for businesses to foster a culture of authenticity and belonging for all employees.

While America’s LGBTQ population is highly visible in select metropolitan areas, LGBTQ people and their families live in every single geographic region of the United States, including rural communities. While challenges that contribute to a sense of LGBTQ isolation exist in rural America, many choose to remain, making homes and raising families with pride.

Julianna Gonen, Policy Director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, discusses the organization’s “Rural Pride Campaign” and advocacy efforts to increase access to services for LGBTQ populations outside of urban areas.