Feb 23, 2024 - Culture

Why this Portlander created an app for LGBTQ businesses

Meira Gebel

Left: A screenshot of the Everywhere Is Queer app highlighting Portland. Right: Charlie Sprinkman. Photo: Courtesy of Cory Hall

Traveling the country for work after college, Portlander Charlie Sprinkman realized there weren't many good resources to find LGBTQ-owned businesses. So he created one.

The big picture: Sprinkman launched Everywhere Is Queer — a website where users could search for queer-owned businesses in their cities — in early 2022 and was thrilled to see it receive 100,000-plus monthly page views.

But he knew an app could make the resource even more accessible.

Driving the news: The Everywhere Is Queer app launched this week. In its first 48 hours, the app was downloaded more than 25,000 times and saw 700 new businesses join.

"A huge reason why I created this app is to create a more affordable avenue for queer-owned businesses to market themselves," Sprinkman told Axios.

Zoom in: Over 350 local queer businesses are listed in Portland — more than in any other city.

Sprinkman credits that to Rose City's LGBTQ-friendly community.
"Portland is such a safe space for me," he said.

How it works: Any LGBTQ-owned businesses looking to be part of the map can apply via the app or on the Everywhere Is Queer website.

Listings are free.
But if a business wants an extra boost via the app and Everywhere Is Queer's social media channels, a premium listing is $49 per month.

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Why this Portlander created an app for LGBTQ businesses

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