Posted on Jul 18, 2022
For LGBTQ business owners in Missouri, creating an inclusive space often comes at a cost
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Missouri ranks among the worst states in the U.S. for LGBTQ inclusions and protections.
When Mike Hastings and Armando Vasquez were in the beginning phases of creating their tropical-themed café Anchor Island Coffee in Kansas City two years ago, they hid that they were a couple.
Before starting their business, the two lived in Overland Park, Kansas, where they felt less accepted than they do in their current community. They decided to come out as gay when they had to sign the lease for their business space.
“We wanted to be upfront and honest with them about who we are and what we’re going to do before we enter into that lease,” Hastings said.
The decision to publicly disclose their relationship did not come without challenges — some people in their lives no longer talk to them, Hastings said. Vasquez in particular was not accepted by some members of his family.
When Mike Hastings and Armando Vasquez were in the beginning phases of creating their tropical-themed café Anchor Island Coffee in Kansas City two years ago, they hid that they were a couple.
Before starting their business, the two lived in Overland Park, Kansas, where they felt less accepted than they do in their current community. They decided to come out as gay when they had to sign the lease for their business space.
“We wanted to be upfront and honest with them about who we are and what we’re going to do before we enter into that lease,” Hastings said.
The decision to publicly disclose their relationship did not come without challenges — some people in their lives no longer talk to them, Hastings said. Vasquez in particular was not accepted by some members of his family.
For LGBTQ business owners in Missouri, creating an inclusive space often comes at a cost
Posted from kcur.org
Business
LGBTQ+
Kansas City
Overland Park
Posted 2 y ago
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As long as you do not try to push your agenda on me I wish you the best. I am happy to leave you alone, but also leaving me alone.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
MSgt Dale Johnson Best I can tell My LGBT Friends don't have an Agenda. Haven't tried to Convert Me! LOL! Haven't Seen a lot of "Proselytizing" from the Gay Community, Not Near as Much as the Evangelical Christian Community!
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MSgt Dale Johnson
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel - Normally at the individual level LGBTQ folks aren't, we have several neighbors, Gay Couples, that both my wife and I speak to when they walk their dogs past our house or whatever.
There was one guy at work that I almost came to blows with on more than one occasion because of his attitude, he took offense at everything someone did all because he was Gay. He got mad when I told him he was just not that important that I did my job as the work presented itself and he did not go to the front or back of the line because he was Gay. He tried to report me, and several others I might add, as discriminating against him because I did not drop what I was doing to attend to whatever emergency he had or thought he had.
There was one guy at work that I almost came to blows with on more than one occasion because of his attitude, he took offense at everything someone did all because he was Gay. He got mad when I told him he was just not that important that I did my job as the work presented itself and he did not go to the front or back of the line because he was Gay. He tried to report me, and several others I might add, as discriminating against him because I did not drop what I was doing to attend to whatever emergency he had or thought he had.
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SGT (Join to see)
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Thats true. You don't see LGBT medical professionals denying care to patients like you do from these do called christians. Maybe it's time to stop serving straight folks.
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MSgt Dale Johnson
SGT (Join to see) - If LGBTQ Businesses put up a sign "No Straight Normal People Allowed" I wouldn't have a problem with it, that is their call just as someone who doesn't want LGBTQ business should be allowed. What is good for the Goose is good for the Gander.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Sophie Mendelson, co-owner of Sugarwitch in St. Louis, said she has had an overall good experience with community support since opening her ice cream sandwich shop last year, but sometimes people will assume she’s not the one in charge.
“It’s the little things,” she said. “It’s the contractor who asks for my husband or who wants to speak with what they presumed to be the real authority.”
Mendelson has recognized this trend among her surrounding restaurant world. “It is still in many ways the good old boys club,” Mendelson said.
Brandi Artis, the executive chef at 4 Hens Creole Kitchen in St. Louis, is proud to have the same support as a queer Black business owner that she and her wife received when they lived in Chicago. The couple moved to St. Louis about a year ago.
“I love the fact that my family is different,” Artis said. “We represent something different for the community and the people that are in our lives and that love us.”
..."Sophie Mendelson, co-owner of Sugarwitch in St. Louis, said she has had an overall good experience with community support since opening her ice cream sandwich shop last year, but sometimes people will assume she’s not the one in charge.
“It’s the little things,” she said. “It’s the contractor who asks for my husband or who wants to speak with what they presumed to be the real authority.”
Mendelson has recognized this trend among her surrounding restaurant world. “It is still in many ways the good old boys club,” Mendelson said.
Brandi Artis, the executive chef at 4 Hens Creole Kitchen in St. Louis, is proud to have the same support as a queer Black business owner that she and her wife received when they lived in Chicago. The couple moved to St. Louis about a year ago.
“I love the fact that my family is different,” Artis said. “We represent something different for the community and the people that are in our lives and that love us.”
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