Introducing LGBTQ+ Pride Pathways

Coming this fall: LGBTQ+ Pride Pathways, a community commitment to creating safe, welcoming experiences for queer visitors and residents in Madison, Wisconsin. Click here to be among the first to know when we launch and how to get involved!

Soon, Madison visitors will see window signs that read LGBTQ+ Pride Verified, encouraging everyone to step inside! It’s our way of letting them know queer visitors are welcome here and that you can place your trust in the businesses that proudly display it. 

How do we know? 

As a community connector, Destination Madison has worked alongside local LGBTQ+ organizations and hospitality partners to launch LGBTQ+ Pride Pathways, a community-wide collaboration aimed at making Madison a place where people feel they truly belong. It’s just one of many ways we’re committed to making Madison a resilient destination and staying true to who we are: welcoming, genuine and inspired by queer voices. 

How does it work?

Destination Madison provides the framework, resources and training.  
Our partners participate by taking a pledge that honors our shared values, taking visible action to create a safe and welcoming environment, and creating community through shared learning and events.  
 
Most importantly, this is not a one-and-done initiative. Pride Pathways is a journey that will scale alongside the progress of our community and local culture. 

Which Madison businesses are already Pride Verified?

How does a business become Pride Verified? 

The criteria for this program are simple and straightforward: 

• Inclusive business practices: Business agrees to uphold non-discriminatory practices, including treating all customers and employees with dignity and respect, maintaining clear expectations for respectful behavior in their space, and addressing concerns as they arise. 

• Commitment to inclusion: Confirm that the business is welcoming and affirming of LGBTQ+ visitors, residents and staff by displaying the Pride Verified sign onsite and online, and using inclusive language in customer-facing materials. 

• LGBTQ+ awareness and education: Business agrees to provide LGBTQ+ awareness or cultural competency training opportunities in ways such as employee onboarding, online training, workshops and other resources. 

• Inclusive representation: Business agrees to reflect LGBTQ+ inclusivity in how it presents itself publicly in ways such as inclusive imagery and language or participation in Destination Madison marketing, storytelling or spotlights. 

• Safe and welcoming environment: Business commits to fostering a space where LGBTQ+ individuals feel safe and respected by all of the following: 1) responding immediately to harassment or discrimination 2) respecting names and pronouns when shared and 3) identifying a point person (owner, manager or lead staff member) for inclusivity-related questions or concerns. 

• Community support: Business agrees to support the local LGBTQ+ community by at least one visible action that fits its capacity, such as participating in or supporting LGBTQ+ events, sourcing from LGBTQ+ owned businesses or providing donation/sponsorship/in-kind support when feasible (no required level of support). 

• Program participation and renewal: Participation includes upholding the commitments outlined above, participating as a public-facing member of the program (may opt out by contacting Destination Madison), and understanding that designation may be removed if criteria are no longer met or commitments are no longer maintained. 

Interested in becoming an LGBTQ+ Pride Pathways verified partner? Click here to be among the first to know when we launch and how to get involved!