The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) recently awarded Footprint Wine Tap and Pink Moon Farm grants through its fifth annual "Queer to Stay" program, which focuses on the preservation of LGBTQ+ owned businesses. Since its launch in June 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, 90% of businesses that previously received grants remain open.

"As extremist politicians continue to try and take away our rights and push us back into the closet, these businesses stand as a shining reminder that when LGBTQ+ businesses thrive, America thrives," HRC President Kelley Robinson said in a press release.

A total of 30 small businesses across 19 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC were grant recipients. Footprint Wine Tap, located in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, is the first Black/Asian- and Queer-owned wine producer in the state of Washington and the first and only keg-wine on tap operation in the Pacific Northwest. The business places an emphasis on reducing its carbon footprint while uplifting diverse communities in the wine, restaurant, and hospitality industries.

"As an LGBTQ+ business, it is so important at this moment for us to continue and build upon our service and representation of who we are and how we can support our community," owner Ken Dillon told the SGN. "We are intentional in being visible, a safe space, representative, inspiring, and supporting others as much as possible.

"These funds will significantly bolster our working capital so we can continue to pay rent; be accessible, visible, and present; and provide potential client, cultural, and social opportunities for our community."

With its laying hens, sheep farm, and vegetables, Pink Moon Farm serves the Puget Sound region. Under a Community Supported Agriculture program, it provides weekly bags of produce to mostly Queer and Trans residents. Pink Moon products can be found at farmers markets, food banks, and restaurants and co-ops.

"People often choose to buy from our farm because we are Queer and Trans, either because they want to support our communities or because it is meaningful to them to have someone with shared identities growing their food," owner Grayson Crane said.

Pink Moon also partners with community organizations and employs LGBTQ+ seasonal workers to provide career and mentorship opportunities to Queer and Trans people.

"At a time when we are experiencing intense institutional transphobia, we are proud to be an out-Queer- and Trans-run rural business that works directly with our local community, growing for food banks and working to feed our neighbors," Crane added.

Stop by Footprint Tap Wine at 1222 E. Madison St., and visit https://pinkmoonfarm.org to learn more about the business.