Culture

Yelp Is Making It Easier To Support LGBTQ-Owned Businesses

info@hypebae.com (HYPEBAE)  Mon, 24 May 2021  HYPEBAE

Yelp is introducing an option for businesses to self-identify as LGBTQ-owned, making it easier for customers to support the community during Pride Month and beyond.

In addition to adding the LGBTQ-owned attribute to their page, businesses will also be able to mark themselves as "Open to All," indicating they've pledged to stand against discrimination. Beginning on June 1, the start of Pride, LGBTQ-owned and Open to All establishments will be illustrated with a rainbow pin on Yelp's map view.

According to the platform, Yelp searches for LGBTQ-owned businesses in the U.S. spiked over 150 percent in April 2021 compared to the same period last year, pointing to an increased interest in supporting the queer community on a local level. Offering protection to businesses that choose to mark themselves as LGBTQ-owned, Yelp will monitor these pages for homophobic, racist and otherwise harmful reviews.

Head to the Yelp website to learn more about finding and supporting LGBTQ-owned businesses.

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