Gay it Forward, a coupon site similar to Groupon or LivingSocial, is launching in Charlotte, sending out deals for discounts at gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses.
Co-founder Dan Mauney said the aim is to support businesses that support the LGBT community. "If you support our community, we'll support yours from a business standpoint," he said. "We've got your back if you've got ours."
Mauney is one of the people behind Takeover Friday, a 10-year-old event that was designed to get the LGBT community into new social venues. Gay it Forward has an extensive list of contacts, both gay and gay-friendly people, Mauney said, from Takeover Friday that it will be able to use to promote the new business.
"The Groupons of the world are great, but they don't always cater to our community, or who we want to do business with," said Mauney. On Gay it Forward, the business will work the same way as Groupon (consumers buy a certificate for a steeply discounted deal, then redeem it with the merchant).
Mauney said businesses can use the site to promote their businesses to a very focused, loyal demographic.Gay it Forward will also be giving consumers the option of donating to gay-focused charities, including Time Out Youth, the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network and the LGBT Community Center.
The first deal to be offered on the site is a coupon for The Wine Loft, at 2201 South Boulevard, Mauney said. He said Gay it Forward has commitments from multiple local businesses to offer deals on the site.
With Charlotte as its launch pad, Mauney said he hopes to expand Gay it Forward to Raleigh, Atlanta, and nationwide. The launch of the site is especially significant in the wake of Amendment One's passage, which constitutionally defines marriage as between only a man and a woman in North Carolina.
"It's unified our community," Mauney said. "I'm staying in North Carolina. I'm not going anywhere, and I choose to do business in North Carolina."
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
New gay-friendly deal site launches in Charlotte
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17 comments:
How odd - to have a business that caters to people based on whom they have sex with. No thanks.
"The Groupons of the world are great, but they don't always cater to our community"
Just curious - do gays have different buying habits or needs?
In an unrelated, minor development, an historic recall election was held in Wisconsin yesterday.
You'll need to find the headline in a different paper, however, because CO no longer has it posted here.
Now, back to important stuff, like gay coupons..
No, they don't have different habits, but they're certainly not welcome at every business around...and this helps identify those who do welcome LGBT persons.
Listen you idiots -- I'm not gay, but I'm "gay-friendly". In other words, I don't want to do business with the 60% of North Carolinians who are bigots, and voted for Amendment One. By being a part of Gay It Forward, I'll happily take my business to those I know are grown-ups and support equal rights for everyone.
Delightful
And what businesses are they not welcome at?
I see the same tired design is used on the website. It's obvious who designed the website if you know anything about other organizations in the LGBT community. That person's designs all look the same.
Sort of reminds me of one of the Brady Bunch movies where their house was the design for all of Mike Brady's clients.
Oh and where are the business listings anyway?
Anon 6:34--I don't know if you are married or in a significant relationship, but if that relationship is based solely on having sex, it must be pretty sad. Your comment is reflective of your ignorance of human relationships. How sad for you.
Deals for 3% of the population? As a retailer, I want more than 3% of the market and I don't care who you sleep with.
This is a great idea..
And u guys above are so narrow minded...get educated please. :)
It's about who you are. Is it odd to have African American based companies???? Is it odd to have religious preference?
Anti gay establishments...Google can help you here...:)
Believe it or not, gay couples have more spending power. Gay couples more likely to take more vacations also and spend more while on vacation. Mostly because gay couples have more discretionary income, many companies have realized this and cater. "Pink tourism" is a term used by vacation destinations to cater to gay couples and singles; it’s a reality and a fact that gays will spend more. So, this makes sense for businesses, and I'm sure somewhere gays are funding your 401K!
Congratulations to the founders of GIF. Although I am not Gay, I'm in full support of the LGBT Community.The people who have posted negative comments...shame on you! Return to the hole you came out of!
Dan Mauney is doing great things in the LGBT Community!
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Thanks
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