Tyler Prescott, Executive Director of the Upstate LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce – a nonprofit founded in 2020 amid the challenges of the global pandemic – is creating a long-absent voice of advocacy for the Upstate LGBT+ business community.
We spoke with Tyler on his organization’s mission and what the future holds for business leaders in Upstate SC.
Note: This interview was between Tyler Prescott and Eli Bundy, an LGBTQ youth in South Carolina. It was originally published at SC United for Justice & Equality.
Tell us about the Upstate LGBTQ+ Chamber! What are you working toward, and how will it impact LGBTQ+ South Carolinians?
Our mission is the economic empowerment of LGBT+ business owners, employees, and allies of all kinds. We’re making sure that LGBT+ folks and allies can thrive at every level in The Upstate. We need to have access to resources, spaces, and services that are not just safe but welcoming, and even created for us. For business owners and professionals that looks like curated networking events and trainings. We also have a public directory of members that can be accessed by anyone. You can go on there and find a hairdresser, a chiropractor, home cleaners, and many others, who are LGBT+ or allies.
Why do business leaders care about LGBTQ+ equality? And why should business leaders get engaged in the work to oppose anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and support LGBTQ+ equality?
Business leaders should care about LGBTQ+ equality first because it’s the right thing to do but also because it makes business sense. When we build an Upstate where everyone can thrive, there are more resources and opportunities for everyone. When thinking about moving their business or family somewhere, queer people look at resources like the HRC MEI index, and when you as a business owner or leader speak up your representatives listen.
What can and should business leaders be doing to support LGBTQ+ employees and customers?
Here are three ways you can make an immediate difference:
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Create and enforce a written nondiscrimination policy. Make sure it covers sexual orientation and gender identity of employees and customers.
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Review your healthcare and leave benefits to make sure it includes LGBT+ individuals and couples. Does your coverage include transitioning costs? Consider having those in place before you “need” to because even if you don’t think you do, you likely already have an LGBT+ person employed with you.
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Join the Upstate SC LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce! There’s no better way to signal that you’re a safe place for employees and customers than joining forces with the over 8,000 employees in the upstate we already represent.
What steps can we take as LGBTQ+ people in South Carolina to take care of each other and ourselves?
Easily the number one thing I can recommend is to visit LGBT-owned and allied businesses. There is incredible power in supporting each other and building our own community. Go to queer events and use the queer resources available to you. Find an LGBT+ doctor or therapist, use an LGBT+ real estate agent and drink in LGBT+ and allied-owned bars and coffee shops.
What are your hopes for the LGBTQ+ community in South Carolina? How have we grown in recent years, and where do you see us headed?
I’ve lived in the Upstate for ten years now and we have made so much progress in that time. There are so many more resources available to us now that I am so thankful for. The one thing I am most grateful for is that ten years ago to find a therapist who had availability and was safe, I had to call dozens of therapists and now there are multiple practices that specialize in LGBT+ people. That blows my mind. (Selfishly I am also hoping for a gay bar. If you or someone you know is interested in opening one we should talk.)
We are so excited about what the future holds for Upstate SC.
