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THE MONEY ISSUE With Articles Covering Starting a New Business, The Queer Boss, The Costs of Equality, Money and Morals, Plus Much More.... GABE DUNN Host of Bad With Money Podcast4 EDITOR’S LETTER Dear Readers, I remember the first time I truly understood the power of money. Not just in a “pay the bills” kind of way, but in the way it dictates freedom, choices, and even identity. It was when a close friend of mine—queer, ambitious, and brilliant—poured their heart into starting a small business, only to face rejection from investors who didn’t think a “niche” LGBTQ+ brand was worth the risk. It was when I saw activists crowdfunding legal fees just to defend their right to exist safely. It was in the quiet conversations with community members who had to choose between affording healthcare and affording happiness. Money isn’t just numbers in a bank account—it’s opportunity, security, and, all too often, a battleground. And in 2025, with an economy that feels more uncertain by the day, it’s a conversation we need to have. In this issue, we’re diving into what it means to own your own queer business, spotlighting those who are building success on their own terms. We’re asking the hard questions about money vs. morals—when is financial stability worth the compromises, and when do we draw the line? We’re breaking down the true costs of equality, from legal fights to the everyday expenses of simply being out and proud. And, of course, we’re confronting the big question: why is the economy getting worse? What does it mean for us, and how do we prepare for the uncertainty ahead? Money is often seen as a taboo topic, but it shouldn’t be. It shapes our lives, our rights, and our possibilities. This issue is about taking control—of our finances, our businesses, and our futures. Let’s talk about it. Onward, Michael Montgomery, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Polimeni | Publisher & Co-EditorMichael Montgomery | Editor-In-Chief5 Table of Contents Opening Soon! Queer Dollars and Sense Gabe Dunn Is Starting Over The Credit Score Labyrinth Money or Morals The Cost of Equality Quickies Out NW | Oregon Out NW | Washington OUT NW | Montana Out NW | Northern California OUT NW | Idaho OUT NW | Alaska Call to Action & Masthead Page 6 9 12 17 20 27 30 35 38 43 46 51 55 58Opening Soon! Being a Business Owner for the First Time by Howard Russell7 As everyone can tell you, my favorite beverage is a glass of Chardonnay. Now I am opening a wine store! This adventure was nowhere on my bucket list, but now it’s happening. I took a trip to Puerto Vallarta with some friends back in December. As we were touring some of the shops, I spotted a small wine boutique, and I thought, “This is really cute.” I leaned toward my friend and said, “I need to open one of these in Seattle.” My friend said he knew the perfect spot on 12th Avenue on Capitol Hill, small but it would work for a first business. Back in Seattle, I took a look at the location. I called the broker, who told me the price of the unit, and I applied for it (as did seven others). A week later, I received a congratulations email offering me the space, and now I am owner of La Cha-Bliss Wines. The road to becoming a business owner is not very easy. Trying to get a loan is very difficult for me, because I haven’t been in business for 90 days or more. I tried applying through the Small Business Administration, and they told me to also wait three months after the business opened. Not only was getting a loan difficult, there were obstacles just applying and registering the business as an LLC. I also had to apply for a business license, liquor license, mixologist permit, and EIN number. Some people asked if I had started a GoFundMe page, so I did, just to see what would happen. I received a great number of donations to help fix the inside of the store and get my signage up. There were many times I asked myself if this was even worth it. I once became somewhat depressed, because it took all my savings to get everything started and didn’t know if I could make enough money for everything else. Every day I wake up wondering what I am doing, what I am trying gain from opening up a business, especially during this time of stress and anxiety in our country. As an entrepreneur I am answerable for the growth and direction of my business. I cannot blame other people for the decisions that I make. I must create strategies to generate revenue, while still balancing the operations of the business. Altogether, it causes a great deal of anxiety, which I believe all entrepreneurs experience. Will I be successful? Will I be able to pay my rent? Can I generate enough revenue to buy more inventory? Do I have a good marketing strategy? I was once told that if you don’t think about these things, then your business will fail. So I think it’s always good to think ahead and be prepared for the worst. I can say that I feel very lucky. Despite the stress, I am extremely excited to start my own business. It’s a mix of exhilarating freedom and lots of responsibilities. Overall, it has given me a sense of dedication and resilience. I feel like I have the ultimate control over my success or my failure. If I continue doing the hard work of just figuring it out, I have the potential to be very successful. Oregon The LGBT Community in Oregon Photo by Jeremy Piehler from FlickrNext >