The Importance of 2SLGBTQ+ Visibility and Representation in the Social Impact World
June 22, 2023
Behind groundbreaking and innovative entrepreneurial ideas, there are individuals with remarkable achievements who have overcome challenges. Individuals belonging to marginalized communities, including the 2SLGBTQ+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning or Queer) community, experience unique obstacles in the world of entrepreneurship which often cross over from their personal to their professional lives. Many 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs have to regularly consider whether or not they should conceal their orientation at work to avoid the risk of losing out on valuable professional opportunities. Among entrepreneurs, 37% choose not to “out” themselves to investors to avoid such risks.
Active and open representation, however, is what allows others to understand their diverse experiences - making room for greater equity and richer opportunities. At the SVZ, we actively work to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community and all other marginalized communities, advocating for equal opportunities and better representation for all entrepreneurs.
This year for pride month, we spoke to Vic Chiang, co-founder of SVZ venture Savyn, to shed light on the impact of 2SLGBTQ+ visibility in entrepreneurship and the importance of representation in the social impact world.
Vic, a scientist and scholar with a PhD from UMass and degrees from both UCL & the University of Auckland, identifies as gay. In conversation with the SVZ, Vic emphasizes the need for improvement for 2SLGBTQ+ visibility, despite society’s current progress. A POC entrepreneur identifying as 2SLGBTQ+ in a Western society, Vic was met with a feeling that he does not fully belong.
With more representation in the world of entrepreneurship, Vic suggests that visibility greatly impacts the understanding of the diverse 2SLGBTQ+ experience itself. “It allows for more innovation dedicated to serving the 2SLGBTQ+ community, that would otherwise not happen if insufficient representation exists.”, said Vic.
It allows for more innovation dedicated to serving the 2SLGBTQ+ community, that would otherwise not happen if insufficient representation exists.
37% of entrepreneurs choose not to "out" themselves to investors to avoid risk.
only 1% of Canadian venture capital goes to 2SLGBTQ+ founders.
With only 1% of Canadian venture capital currently supporting 2SLGBTQ+ founders, representation and opportunities are not equitable. Additionally, 20% of 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who openly identified with the community faced business challenges, especially in regards to finances. Through more representation and by adding meaning to their representation, Vic suggests that it provides a sense of justice which allows 2SLGBTQ+ founders to feel a sense of relief and comfort. More representation in entrepreneurship impacts society as a whole.
45% of all 2SLGBTQ+ employees felt that their workplace was not inclusive of trans-identifying people.
20% of 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who openly identified with the community faced business challenges.
Actively engaging the voices of minorities and collecting data to determine which areas warrant improvements, can encourage and help 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. By permitting the emergence of new perspectives and approaches through meaningful questioning and resisting principles laid down by authorities which are flaunted as the truth, the social impact world can be more accepting of these voices. “I advise embracing humility”, offered Vic, “grasping that we live in a world that remains obscure, humility enables us to view life more holistically."
I advise embracing humility, grasping that we live in a world that remains obscure, humility enables us to view life more holistically.
In the world of entrepreneurship, human experience and entrepreneurship holds a bi-directional relationship suggesting either one can influence the other. Through viewing new perspectives and information as probabilities to potentially reshape current or prior perspectives, Vic was able to enhance his ability to adapt and evolve his thinking which helped him overall as a 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneur in the world of entrepreneurship.
As the co-founder of Savyn, Vic works to support the marginalized communities, specifically the 2SLGBTQ+ community through research on neuroscience of sexual diversity with the use of AI technology. “We aspire to do more for marginalized communities” Vic said. Tools such as DeepLabCut are utilized by Savyn to automate behavioral analysis in the context of mental health. This provides a significant step towards empowering marginalized communities and promoting inclusivity within AI research.
To learn more about their work for mental health with marginalized communities, visit Savyn’s website (external link) . To learn more about the startups being incubated at the SVZ working to make social change, visit our startups page.
Helpful Resources
As June comes to an end, we want to highlight some resources that may be helpful to Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs beyond Pride Month.
- The Canadian LGBT Chamber of Commerce (external link) helps link 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with the wider business community by providing access, engagement, visibility, and support.
- VentureOut (external link) is a Canadian non-profit organization empowering early-stage 2SLGBTQ+ professionals in tech & entrepreneurship.
- ExeQutive (external link) is a community forum for 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and other professionals based in Toronto and the GTA, helping support and strengthen Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ leaders.