Our Story
Open For Business is a response by a number of leading global businesses to the growing backlash against LGBTQ+ inclusion in many parts of the world. Launched in 2015 at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Summit, the coalition is already making an impact on LGBTQ+ inclusion globally.
Our Mission
The purpose of Open For Business is to advance LGBTQ+ rights globally. We are doing this in two ways. At an international level, we are building a consensus amongst the business community that anti-LGBTQ+ policies run counter to the interests of business and economic development. At a local level, we are creating advocates in the local business communities, strengthening local business voices by providing them with evidence and fact-based arguments.
Three core objectives follow from this: first, to construct and promote unique research perspectives on the economic and business case for LGBTQ+ inclusion; second, to catalyze a collective voice on LGBTQ+ inclusion from the global business community; and third, to facilitate local networks of senior business leaders to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Business Action on LGBTQ+ Inclusive Societies
Our strategy to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion and create change focuses on the following three areas:
Construct and promote the economic and business case
The economic and business case for LGBTQ+ inclusion is central to the mission of Open For Business: the coalition published a report containing the most comprehensive evidence base linking LGBTQ+ inclusion to better economic performance. We continue to produce reports to give business leaders and civil society advocates with additional knowledge to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Catalyze a Global BUSINESS voice on LGBTQ+ inclusion
We work with our coalition partners and civil society partners to create a global consensus that LGBTQ+ inclusion is an economic and business issue. This helps build momentum for LGBTQ+ rights around the world and gives ground-cover to business leaders operating in difficult markets.
mobilize local business leaders to advance lgbtQ+ inclusion
We also work with senior business leaders in difficult countries to create champions for LGBTQ+ inclusion. Even in countries with anti-LGBTQ+ policies there are senior business leaders who are neutral or sympathetic towards LGBTQ+ inclusion – and these are C-Suite executives. Positioning these senior leaders as powerful, quiet influencers in support of LGBTQ+ inclusion through the lens of economic growth has the potential to change societies
Our Endorsements
Open For Business has become known as an action-oriented coalition focused on challenging countries that produces high-impact research to drive the global conversation on LGBTQ+ inclusion. See civil society leaders and business leaders discussing our work below.