OUT Georgia Business Alliance: Your Guide to LGBTQ+ Business Support in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta or are moving here for work, you’ll quickly notice that the city has a strong, visible LGBTQ+ business community. At the center of a lot of that activity is the OUT Georgia Business Alliance, a statewide LGBTQ+ and allied chamber of commerce that is especially active in the Atlanta metro area.

For Atlanta consumers, jobseekers, and business owners, understanding what OUT Georgia does – and how to plug into it – can make it easier to find affirming services, build your network, and support LGBTQ+-owned businesses.

What Is OUT Georgia Business Alliance?

OUT Georgia Business Alliance is a nonprofit business organization focused on:

• Supporting LGBTQ+-owned and allied businesses
• Increasing visibility and economic opportunity for LGBTQ+ professionals
• Connecting community members with inclusive services and employers

Although its mission covers all of Georgia, a large share of its members, events, and programs are based in and around Atlanta, including Midtown, Downtown, Westside, and nearby cities in the metro area.

You can think of it as:

• A business chamber for LGBTQ+ and allied businesses
• A networking hub for professionals and entrepreneurs
• A resource connector for consumers looking for inclusive services in Atlanta

Why OUT Georgia Matters in Atlanta

Atlanta is home to one of the largest LGBTQ+ communities in the South, with established neighborhoods like Midtown, Grant Park, and Old Fourth Ward often serving as informal hubs. OUT Georgia helps give this community an organized economic voice.

For people in Atlanta, OUT Georgia can help with:

• Finding LGBTQ+-affirming businesses (from real estate agents to therapists and accountants)
• Connecting with inclusive employers who value diversity
• Supporting queer and trans entrepreneurs across the metro area
• Building professional networks through regular events and programs

This is especially useful if you are:

• New to Atlanta and looking for a supportive business community
• A local consumer who prefers to support LGBTQ+-owned or equality-focused businesses
• An entrepreneur seeking mentorship or visibility in the Atlanta market

Key Services and Programs (Atlanta-Focused)

1. LGBTQ+ & Allied Business Directory

OUT Georgia maintains a member business directory that includes many organizations based in Atlanta and surrounding suburbs.

You can typically find:

• Professional services (attorneys, realtors, CPAs, marketing firms)
• Health and wellness providers (counselors, fitness studios, coaches)
• Restaurants, hospitality, and retail
• Nonprofits and community organizations

For Atlanta residents, this directory is a practical way to:

• Locate LGBTQ+-owned businesses near neighborhoods like Midtown, Inman Park, or Decatur
• Identify allied businesses that publicly commit to LGBTQ+ inclusion
• Narrow down options when you’re looking for safer, affirming spaces

👉 Tip: When searching, filter or scan by city or ZIP code to quickly spot businesses in the Atlanta metro area.

2. Networking Events and Mixers in Atlanta

OUT Georgia regularly hosts in-person events in and around Atlanta, often in areas like Midtown, Downtown, and the Westside.

Common event formats include:

• Business networking mixers at local venues
• Educational workshops on topics like small business basics, HR, and inclusive workplaces
• Signature gatherings, such as award events or annual celebrations, which are often held at Atlanta venues

These events can help you:

• Meet LGBTQ+ professionals and allies working in Atlanta’s major industries (tech, film, nonprofits, corporate, etc.)
• Discover inclusive employers and potential collaborators
• Learn more about resources for small businesses and startups

If you’re visiting Atlanta, these events can also offer a snapshot of the local LGBTQ+ business culture and a way to connect quickly.

3. Support for LGBTQ+-Owned Small Businesses

For Atlanta-area entrepreneurs, OUT Georgia often serves as:

• A visibility platform, connecting member businesses with consumers and corporate partners
• A resource hub, pointing owners toward:
  • Business planning and education
  • Certification opportunities (such as LGBTQ+-owned business certification through national programs)
  • Information on local small business support from agencies like the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs and Inclusive Economic Development, or county-level development authorities

Common ways Atlanta business owners use OUT Georgia:

• Listing their business in the OUT Georgia directory to reach LGBTQ+ customers
• Attending workshops or webinars on marketing, finance, or growth
• Collaborating with other member businesses for referrals and joint projects

4. Corporate & Workplace Inclusion in the Atlanta Metro

Atlanta has many large employers and corporate offices that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). OUT Georgia often works with or alongside:

• Corporate diversity councils and employee resource groups (ERGs)
• Human resources leaders looking to support LGBTQ+ employees
• Recruiters seeking to reach LGBTQ+ jobseekers

For workers in Atlanta, this can mean:

• More inclusive hiring pipelines
• Community partnerships between major employers and LGBTQ+ nonprofits
• Opportunities to attend career or professional development events tied to the Alliance’s work

If you’re an HR or DEI professional in Atlanta, OUT Georgia can be a partner or resource for better serving LGBTQ+ staff and applicants.

5. Community & Nonprofit Connections

Beyond business, OUT Georgia often collaborates with LGBTQ+ nonprofits and community organizations that are concentrated in the Atlanta area, such as:

• Youth organizations
• Health and wellness nonprofits
• Advocacy and legal support groups
• Arts and cultural organizations

For Atlanta residents, this means that many OUT Georgia events or communications will point you toward other local services, helping you:

• Find volunteer opportunities
• Learn about support groups or programs
• Stay informed about community initiatives affecting LGBTQ+ Atlantans

How Atlanta Residents Can Use OUT Georgia

If You’re a Consumer

You might use OUT Georgia to:

• Search the business directory when you need:
  • A real estate agent to help buy or rent in neighborhoods like Midtown or East Atlanta
  • An attorney familiar with LGBTQ+ issues
  • An inclusive financial planner or CPA
• Find LGBTQ+-owned restaurants and shops when exploring areas like:
  • Midtown and Ansley Park
  • Little Five Points
  • East Atlanta Village
• Identify service providers (therapists, coaches, wellness professionals) who advertise affirming, inclusive practices

This is especially helpful if you want to support LGBTQ+-owned businesses with your spending or prefer providers with clear commitments to inclusion.

If You’re a Jobseeker or Professional in Atlanta

OUT Georgia can help you:

• Network with other professionals in your field at events
• Learn which Atlanta employers are actively engaged with the LGBTQ+ community
• Attend panels or workshops on career development and inclusive workplaces
• Get visibility as a freelancer or consultant through the member directory

Many professionals in fields like tech, marketing, design, consulting, real estate, and nonprofit work use these connections to grow their careers in Atlanta.

If You’re a Business Owner in the Atlanta Metro

If you own or are starting a business in Atlanta, OUT Georgia may be valuable for:

• Brand visibility: Listing your business so local LGBTQ+ consumers can find you
• Networking and referrals: Meeting other owners with similar values
• Learning opportunities: Access to training sessions, panels, or information about:
  • Access to capital
  • Certification as an LGBTQ+-owned business
  • Partnering with larger companies or public agencies

Many Atlanta businesses join from areas such as:

• Midtown, Downtown, and the Westside
• Buckhead and Sandy Springs
• Decatur and East Atlanta
• Other nearby metro communities

Quick Reference: How OUT Georgia Serves Atlanta

Where OUT Georgia Fits Among Other Atlanta LGBTQ+ Resources

OUT Georgia focuses on the economic and business side of LGBTQ+ life in Atlanta. It often complements, rather than replaces, other resources:

• Community centers (for social support, programs, and direct services)
• Health and wellness providers (for physical and mental health needs)
• Advocacy organizations (for legal rights, policy work, and organizing)

If you’re building a support network in Atlanta, OUT Georgia is one piece of a broader ecosystem that includes:

• Business and professional networks
• Community and social programs
• Cultural and arts organizations

Using OUT Georgia alongside these other resources can help you feel more connected, supported, and informed in Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community.

Practical Tips for Atlantans Using OUT Georgia

• Check location details: When using the business directory, filter by “Atlanta,” surrounding cities, or specific ZIP codes to quickly find nearby options.
• Look for alignment with your needs: Some businesses highlight specialties (for example, trans-affirming services, family-focused services, or bilingual support).
• Use events strategically:
  • New to the city? Attend a mixer to meet people in your industry.
  • Growing a business? Look for workshops or events featuring local business leaders.
• Combine with other resources: If you have specific needs (housing, legal support, healthcare), OUT Georgia’s directory and partnerships can help you identify multiple, complementary options in the Atlanta area.

For anyone living in, visiting, or doing business in Atlanta, the OUT Georgia Business Alliance is a practical gateway into the city’s LGBTQ+ economic and professional life, making it easier to find affirming services, build meaningful connections, and support the local community.