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Business networking among the LGBTQ-friendly is the theme this week in the Quad Cities, with two new efforts debuting to help customers find LGBTQ-welcoming businesses and groups.

Thursday evening, the newly-formed Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce holds its Quad Cities launch at Me & Billy Kitchen and Bar, 200 W. 3rd St, in downtown Davenport. The two-hour gathering features a cocktail mingling hour at 5 p.m., followed by a program featuring Adam Peters, operations director at Clock Inc. LGBT Community Center.

The new Iowa LGBTQ Chamber holds its Quad Cities area launch, its fourth regional launch, Thursday evening.

Also, earlier this week the nonprofit QCAD Out for Good launched a new campaign to help LGBTQ-welcoming businesses and customers find each other. Titled Safe Connect, the effort encourages businesses and groups to fulfill four conditions to earn a sticker and designation as an LGBTQ welcoming business.

LGBTQ Chamber guest Adam Peters has diverse, visible experience

Peters, who joined the Clock Inc. team in 2021, was also elected in March by his peers on Iowa’s Stonewall Democratic Caucus to become its chair. The caucus works with the Democratic Party to advocate specifically for LGBTQ+ issues.

Adam Peters reading ta Banned Book Storytime at RAYGUN

Adam Peters, operations director at Clock Inc. LGBT+ Community Center, is pictured reading at a Banned Book Storytime in 2023. He’ll be speaking during the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Quad Cities launch Thursday. (photo courtesy Clock Inc.)

Peters also worked on campaigns by Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg and Mike Franken and is a freelance show choir clinician who works annually with high school show choirs across the country. He’s also a regular voice and face on area television stations speaking about Clock Inc. and its mission of providing a safe place and support services for LGBTQ+ people in the greater Quad Cities area.

The LGBTQ Chamber’s event Thursday night is the latest in a series of regional “launches” of the nonprofit. Central Iowa, Iowa City, and the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area held launches last fall or earlier this year.

At the events, the Chamber aims to share its certification program, its mission, and other perks of being a member.

Business networking efforts are timely, numerous throughout Illinois and Iowa

QCAD’s new Safe Connect encourages businesses and groups to fulfill a list of conditions to earn a sticker and designation as an LGBTQ welcoming business. Those criteria including posting a non-discrimination statement; designating itself as “LGBTQ friendly” on the Google My Business platform; and being knowledgeable of “LGBTQ+ inclusive vocabulary and language.”

Qualifying businesses also must “support and promote LGBTQ+ activities, organizations, and efforts.” The group encourages businesses to sign up here if they meet the conditions.

QCAD, the Quad Cities’ first-ever LGBTQ support organization, is providing some new services including the Safe Connect directory of LGBTQ welcoming businesses and groups.

The new program also includes a “Report a Business” button where customers can share information about bad experiences with Quad Cities area businesses.

To learn more, you can head to the Safe Connect page, or attend a May 16 event intended to reintroduce QCAD Out for Good and its services to the community. The Meet & Greet is 5 to 7 p.m. at Western Illinois University, 3300 River Dr., Moline.

Illinois directories of LGBTQ affirming businesses and groups:

Illinois LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce directory

Equality Illinois Out & About Good Business Network

Bloomington/Normal area: LGBTQIA+ Business & Resource Directory. compiled by the Prairie Pride Coalition.