As Pride month 2021 ends, here are 30 LGBTQ-owned businesses in Massachusetts – MassLive.com

June is Pride month, but for those looking to support LGBTQ-owned businesses, there are opportunities year-round.

This year, MassLive looked at 31 LGBTQ-owned businesses which offer everything from delicious menus to creative fitness programs and unique retail items. To get started, let’s take a look at three businesses: You Good, Sis?, Action! By Design and Sage Orville Photography.

You Good, Sis?, founded by Rach Junard and Jaylee Momplaisir, is an intentionally curated wellness collective that was founded in 2017. The business offers transformative content, classes and community for Black and Brown women, femmes, and non binary people “who are on the path to embody their fullest expression of mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing,” according to their website.

Both Junard and Momplaisirwork in the diversity, equity and inclusion space, Junard as a strategist who aims to create an envrionment for those to reflect on and practice community accountability, and Momplaisir as a leader with over 10 years of experience working with corporations, non-profits and start-ups.

Junard describes also themself as a digital fundraising expert, yoga instructor and philosophy student. Momplaisir said she specializes in leading large scale group workshops, corporate wellness and creating curriculum for intimate self-mastery experiences.

Action! by Design is a Worcester-based design studio that helps organizations through social change innovation, community engagement and facilitation, according to the company. They offer community design workshops to rethink the juvenile justice system and they work in order to help people exit sex trade.

“Action! by Design is rooted in a commitment to using design to further equity and justice in our communities,” the company said.

The owner, Joshua Croke, also runs Love Your Labels, a nonprofit organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ youth and families.

Sage Orville is a Western, Massachusetts fast-talking, empathetic, non-binary photographer and marketer. They work as a web strategist full time in addition to freelancing in marketing which “rests on the junction point of best practices and box-breaking.”

Orville said their photography, aims “to represent folks authentically, taking extra care in really learning about their clients. Their posed images feel like the intersections of true candor, stunning polish, and emotional richness.”

There are hundreds of LGBTQ owners in the commonwealth to explore but, here is a list of 27 more businesses around the state sorted under dining and drinks, retail, lodging and experiences.

In this section, we are talking everything food and drink you could. We are featuring Italian eateries, breweries and bakeries that meet dietary restrictions and delicious desires. Let’s get started.

dbar (Dorchester)

Kicking off the list of dining and drinks is dbar, a restaurant, nightclub and lounge located in Dorchester.

“The interior’s charm harkens to the space’s former life as an Irish pub, but under the vision of owner Brian Piccini, dbar transformed into the ultimate neighborhood restaurant, for Dorchester locals and curious visitors alike,” the website read.

The restaurant’s chef, Christopher Coombs serves a menu based on New England seasonality using fresh, local ingredients. Some featured meals inclide the veal and pancetta bolognaise and the Giannone chicken under a brick. dbar also offers over 200 bottles of wine and highlights espresso martini as a cocktail.

Next up is Sportello, an Italian restaurant located in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood. Prominent Chef Barbara Lynch serves trattoria-inspired Italian dishes for both lunch and dinner, according to the website.

“Sportello’s casual, lively, Italian spirit is captured in the sleek, minimalist design of the cuisine — fresh pastas, creamy polenta, and simple soups — and in the supremely approachable, artisanal wine list,” the website said.

Looking to host a private event or large party? Sportello has the capacity to host up to 55 people for up to four courses.

With the ocean out the front door, Strangers & Saints calls itself “a vibrant celebration of sea and family” which draws inspiration from the coastal Mediterranean, emphasizing flavors of Spain, Italy, Greece, Morocco and Turkey.

“Why not design an experience where the ingredients of food and drink are king, and hospitality is its queen?” the website read. “Under the magical eye of tastemaker extraordinaire Ken Fulk and builder Maureen Wilson, the once Captain Cook house has been re-imagined into Strangers—what started as a dream over a Sonoma red now stands tall in the East End.”

The name Strangers & Saints comes from terms used at the time of the Mayflower voyage. Now, the historic name and beachy logo can be found on the restaurant’s merchandise.

Another LGBTQ-own business that can be found in Dorchester is of course, Dorchester Brewing Company. It was founded in 2016 by a group of professionals in Boston, “with an unnatural love of craft beer, to meet production demands for the local craft beer industry while supporting the economic development of Dorchester,” the website read.

The tap room and Hopservatory offers a four season rooftop greenhouse, a game room and a restaurant. This provides the opportunity to host private events, even wedding receptions, as the Hopservatory can fit up to 150 people.

The Basil Tree philosophy is to offer high quality food and service while maintaining a social and environmental conscience.

This business works with charitable organizations and recycles or composts over 90% of waste. They also offer a wide selection to meet different dietary needs.

Basil Tree has a thought list of where they source their food from around Massachusetts, including large companies like Polar and Cape Cod chips and smaller ones like Carlson Orchards in Harvard. And if you don’t feel like leaving home, they currently deliver to Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Medford and Watertown.

Cathedral Station is a gay sports bar and neighborhood pub that takes pride in welcoming everyone. This lively spot has a bar area, dining area and outdoor patio, making it available for functions as well.

Love for sports runs into the staff, as the Facebook page said “we are proud to have a management team with extensive knowledge of the industry and sports.”

On Monday, June 5, they will offer an Independence Day brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are worried about parking in Boston, worry no more. Cathedral Station offers free parking out back.

Rebel Rebel is a wine bar in Somerville’s Bow Market.

“We believe a wine bar can be a place for the community to engage, grow, and communicate,” the website said. “We also believe in the power of natural wine to bring us back to the foundations of our connection to farmers, to women and to the planet.”

The Rebel Rebel website also features an anti-racism accountability page with a five step plan to address the civil rights crisis.

“We believe, as a white-owned business, that it’s our responsibility to fix the systemic oppression our whiteness causes to BIPOC and POC, both in our industry and in our community,” the website read.

Check out their wine list.

7ate9 Bakery is a small bakery and cafe located in Somerville, known for its cheesecake.

Sarah Chester, the founder started selling her cakes on farmers markets in 2010 and only five years later, she moved to the current Somerville store front.

Chester doesn’t just make the cake, she takes the cake. Her cheesecakes have been named Best in Boston, Best in Massachusetts and had a feature on the Food Network as one of 11 great cheesecakes across the country.

During the month of June, they are selling a pride cake with rainbow sprinkles.

To put it simply, Trident Booksellers & Cafe is just cool. They opened in 1984 and have since expanded from a small bookstore to a full restaurant and a two floor store. Trident is the last general independent bookstore in Boston, according to the website.

Trident Booksellers & Cafe offers food, coffee, tea, bear, wine, juices and smoothies. They also host events including author talks and cooking demos.

Currently, they are featuring a pride month reading list. They also host social events like trivia nights on Fridays and small talk sessions for people to discuss topics of interest and meet new people.

Let’s shop. In the retail section, you will find jewelry, canabis, marketing services and more, with options from Eastern and Western, Massachusetts.

ArifaCreates sells handcrafted clay art, herbal creations, head wraps and prints. Afria identifies as a Black, queer, chronically ill/disabled artist, creator and budding herbalist sharing her craft.

“As an herbalist and creator, I intend to be a part of the growing movement of making holistic healing and herbal medicine accessible to Black, POC, Queer, Trans, chronically ill and disabled, and poor folks. I intend to pour into communities who have invested so much in me and support me in where I am today,” she wrote.

The Esty shop has a five-star rating and 195 Sales.

Molly Rose Creative provides branding, marketing design services, illustrations and merchandise. The business is owned by self-described artist, illustrator designer, queer intersectional feminist, mental health advocate, video and board game player, hair dye aficionado, Somerville local, Pittsburgh native, axe thrower, cat lady and napping enthusiast, Molly Walter.

“Recently, I finally took a leap and quit my full-time corporate day job at Microsoft in December 2020 to pursue my dream of running my own art & illustration business,” the website read. “By leveraging the skills I’ve built over the last few years and constantly challenging myself through projects, commissions, and volunteer work, I’ve worked hard to build up a varied and extensive portfolio.”

Molly’s clients include prominent companies such as Starbucks and Microsoft, according to the website.

New England Craft Cultivator is the first and only marijuana retail establishment in Massachusetts which exclusively partners with locally owned small cultivators, small manufacturers and microbusinesses, according to the website. through this, they hope to bring the highest quality cannabis to the market.

“We are a ‘little guy’ marijuana retail establishment that is designed to support other ‘little guy’ craft cultivators and manufacturers. We will bring these quality products to market instead of the lower quality products that are mass-produced by vertically integrated operators,” they wrote.

We can’t talk about LGBTQ-owned lodging without talking about Provincetown. While there are numerous stays to pick from, here are a five options in this beloved Cape COD LGBTQ-friendly spot.

The Carpe Diem Guest House and Spa website describes this upscale bed and breakfast “The perfect blend of New England style, old-world charm, zen gardens & European spa.”

Some special services offered here are complementary hot breakfasts, wine and cheese receptions, spa treatments and it’s only a short walk to the beach.

Somerset House Inn a year-round bed and breakfast built in the 1840′s as a captain’s house. The historic building is located near Commercial Street across from Cape Cod Bay, meaning many are rooms with a view.

The inn is sounded by activities and is walking distance from shops, restaurants, galleries and nightlife.

“Enjoy all that Provincetown has to offer or relax on our front deck or in an Adirondack chair in our garden. A perfect place to read a good book or to watch the people passing by on Commercial Street,” the website read.

Inn at Cook Street is 185 years old. It is a member of the Distinctive Inns of Provincetown and has been awarded the Certificate of Excellence by Tripadvisor, according to the website.

“This lovingly maintained, Greek Revival house was once owned by Sylvanius and Louisa Cook, a prominent mariner’s family. The Inn at Cook Street was part of five properties owned by the Cook family, who at one time owned adjacent homes on Cook, Commercial, and Bradford Streets,” the website said.

The inn is set up as two cottages with two bedroom and living room suite combinations, and four bedroom suites. Some rooms offer fireplaces and sundecks.

Ravenwood Inn (Provincetown)

Ravenwood was founded in 1983 by Diane Corbo and Valerie Carrano who “immediately fell in love with the Greek revival style house which was originally a Sea Captain’s home built in 1830.”

Both Corbo and Carrano have been active members of the Provincetown community and town government. They co-established the Women Innkeepers organization in 1984 and worked to support hate-crimes prevention and domestic violence intervention.

Christopher’s by the Bay (Provincetown)

Christopher’s by the Bay is a mid-nineteenth-century bed and breakfast with a garden. guest are located near art galleries and Herring Cove beach.

“While we’re still working on exploring the history of this old house, we do know that it has been a home to school teachers, artists, fishermen and sea captains in its long history. Since most of the records in the Town of Provincetown were destroyed in a fire in the 1920′s, much of the history of the building has been lost,” the owners wrote.

The owners, Dave McGlothlin and Jim Rizzo, visited Provincetown as guest for years before deciding to leave Washington, D.C. and open this spot. McGlothlin also works as a teacher at Provincetown High School and Rizzo works in leadership training and development for non-profits with Leadership Outfitters, Inc.

Out in Roslindale, LGBTQ Senior Housing Inc. a non-profit, is dedicated to creating welcoming, safe and adorable housing for is to low-income LGBTQ seniors. The entirely volunteer board has been granted tentative developer designation status by Boston to develop LGBTQ friendly senior housing at the William Barton Rogers School in Hyde Park. According to the website, this is the first such housing development in New England.

“With the success of this project, we will be addressing both the need for welcoming and affordable housing and services that are LGBTQ friendly,” the website read.

There is a wide variety of experiences on this list. Below you will find a magazine, a dog training service, clubs, fitness and community.

Different Leaf is a quarterly magazine for cannabis users in Massachusetts. Each issue has a mix of content on medical, legal and social topics. They also discuss food, nutrition, fitness, travel, tourism, arts and culture, according to the publication’s LinkedIn.

Different Leaf also has a podcast. The most recent episode is a discussion about the experiences of three cannabis community members who identify as LGBTQ+ and how the inclusivity of the industry can improve.

MB Lounge says it’s the oldest gay bar in Worcester. Located on Grafton Street, the lounge hosts regular events and creates a place for community and inclusivity.

Some of their past events include holiday parties for Christmas, Halloween and New Year’s. In late May, they hosted a welcome back party as COVID-19 restrictions lessened.

Being a central part of Worcester, MB Lounge also features a section to support other local businesses on their website.

Gilded Studio is a pole dance and personal training studio with a mission to provide empowering, educational, and enjoyable fitness for every body.

“In our fun and informative pole dance classes and fitness sessions, we provide people of all backgrounds with the tools they need to help prevent injury, feel stronger, and improve quality of life,” the website reads. “We are LGBTQ+ owned and practice weight neutrality (no diets, no pushing weight loss). Most of all, at Gilded Studio we believe all bodies are good bodies, even if there is something you would like to change about yours.”

Creative Hub Worcester is a non-profit organization which provides affordable and accessible opportunities in the arts in the Worcester area, focusing on youth and underserved communities.

“We believe that art heals. We believe that art changes lives,” the website read.

Co-Founders Laura Marotta and Stacy Lord are currently working to raise the funds to renovate the former Ionic Ave Boy’s Club to become a community arts center.

“We are a proud LGBT+ led organization, and advocates for our community and equal rights,” Marotta said. “Through Creative Hub, we offer childcare programming, events, gallery exhibitions, classes and workshops in the arts, public art projects and consulting, and more. We believe that art is a human right, not a luxury, and we believe that art heals, and art changes lives.”

Queer the Scene describes itself as “a creative agency conceptualized by various Worcester queer community members, primarily committed to amplifying queer and BIPOC voices through local partnerships,” on the website. The business works with creators, scholars, organizers and venues to provide queer-inclusive spaces that house creative expression.

“The team is comprised of a group of individuals committed to the growth of a healthy and vibrant queer community,” the website read.

Ruff Translating is a dog training service founded by Ejay Eisen, who has 20 years of experience with kennels, training facilities, rescue organizations, dog walking companies, doggie daycares and a pet hospice provider, according to the website. They offer in-person and online training as well as grooming.

“Learn to speak better dog. And have fun doing it,” the website reads.

Dominic Glaude, Diggity Dom started playing drums at the age of 4 and quickly transitioned into production, sequencing tracks on a keyboard.

They studied at the Berklee City Music Program for 9 years and as a music technology major at Boston Arts Academy, according to the website. With an album, music videos, having toured the east coast of the United States and Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Diggity Dom is very experienced. The business offers services such as music, merchandise and health.

Billy Dean Thomas, a Grammy nominated artist, said that, “Dominic is one of the most passionate, prompt and thorough collaborators that I have ever worked with. They offer a wide range of knowledge, are always prepared and equipped to execute challenges and problem solve. Not only does Dominic possess a wide skill set but they also offer to teach those around them how to be self-sufficient and develop the tools for the future.”

Trans Club of New England connects transgender people with community and resources to help people live authentic and full lives. The group offers many services including weekly workshops on Wednesdays.

The vision statement on their website reads, “a society in which trans people are respected, valued and celebrated.”

Club Cafe is a cabaret, piano bar, dance club and bistro, offering events and fun since 1983.

Some events include drag bingo, trivia and music. Club Cafe also has space for banquets, catering and events.

“Enjoy live cabaret style entertainment in a relaxing and inviting atmosphere and some of Boston’s best dining values,” the website read.

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