b'QBiz CONTENTSLGBTQ+ BUSINESS IN CANADA4GOOD FOR BUSINESS4Openly gay franchisees help entrench an inclusive culture in the Canadian marketplace By Matthew BradfordTHE MANY SHADES OF RAINBOW CAPITALISM8As more companies embrace a gay-friendly marketing push, questions arise about intent and authenticityBy Anna-Liza BadalooCREATING THE MODERN FAMILY11CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Whats involved for queer couples keen on starting a family today Andr Morriseau By Sarah B. HoodEDITORIAL BOARD LEARNING LESSONS 14Andr MorriseauMore needs to be done to ensure the mental health of LGBTQ+ post-secondary studentsSonja Scharf By Sarah B. HoodKelly KyleSherree Mitchell QUEERING THE TECH ECOSYSTEM 16 Christopher Walker Gay techies aim to create a more open, welcoming and diverse tech culture in Canada Barbara Smith By Matthew BradfordDaphne PoguePrinted by: CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN20Patricia Trpanier breaks new ground as a lesbian stylist helping men hit the wardrobe reset button By Anna-Liza Badaloo33 South Station Street North York, OntarioM9N 2B2SENSING A NEW SPIRIT23Tel. (866) 480-4717 Two-Spirit people are embracing their gay identity as they openly make their way in business531 Marion StreetBy Rick GarrickWinnipeg, ManitobaR2J 0J9 Toll Free: (866) 201-3096EMBRACING THE ARTIST WITHIN26Fax: (204) 480-4420Edmonton-based Riyaz Sharan turns his art hobby into a viable side businesswww.mediaedgepublishing.com By Haley EnglandNATIONAL SALES EXECUTIVESNolan Ackman, Kristine Dudar, THE BIG BLEND28 Ashley Huston, Dawn Stokes, David Tetlock Why we need to blend DEI and CSR/ESG efforts for a more open, inclusive and prosperous future By Luis Augusto NobreAll rights reserved. The contents of this publication maynot be reproduced by any means,in whole or in part,without the prior THE BOTTOM LINE29written consent of the association. The highs and lows of my late-life digital retail transformationBy Andr MorriseauPublished January 2022PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT #40787580 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY30QBiz is printed on 10% post-consumer FSC certified paper using soya based inks. When necessary to mailOn the Cover: Driverseat franchisees and employees participating in the companys Ride with Pride initiative an issue in an enclosure, we use an environmentally-friendly, 100% oxo-degradable poly-wrap. Issue 2 2021 | QBiz CANADA |3'