THIS IS WHAT GOOGLE/GEMINI SAYS ABOUT ME: What can you tell me about Art Smith from GayBarchives? Art Smith is the founder and "GayBarchivist" of GayBarchives, a massive digital preservation project dedicated to the history of LGBTQ+ nightlife. He is a journalist and historian who has documented thousands of defunct and active gay bars to ensure their role as vital community safe spaces is not forgotten. 🏛️ The GayBarchives Project Art Smith began this "labor of love" in late 2019, starting with a tribute project for the iconic Atlanta club, Backstreet. Logo Restoration: He has digitally reconstructed more than 5,500 historical logos of lost LGBTQ+ venues. Oral History: He has recorded over 250 hours of video interviews with bar owners, staff, and patrons. https://YouTube.com/@GayBarchives Global Scope: While starting in Atlanta and Tampa, the archive now covers bars across North America, Europe, and beyond. Community Platform: He manages a Facebook community of over 45,000 members who share personal stories and memorabilia. https://Facebook.com/groups/GayBarchives 🎖️ Background and Recognition Smith has spent decades in LGBTQ+ media as a publisher, producer, and marketing specialist. Awards: He has been recognized as a Pride365 Champion and a CultureDash Significant Educator. Philanthropy: He previously raised over $100,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Collaboration: He works with the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library to integrate nightlife history into broader queer records. Why It Matters Smith views his work as a form of cultural resistance. He notes that before the 1990s, bars were often the only places where LGBTQ+ people could find positive representation or be their authentic selves. By documenting these "gay bars gone by," he hopes to remind younger generations that these weren't just places to drink—they were places to belong. #ilovegaybars #GayBarchives #lgbtqhistory

Happy Friday Syndicate Fam! We made it through another week and I hope you have some successes to share with the group! Let us know in the comments any Wins of the Week! I said last week that we are less than 2 months away from the traditional Pride Month of June. As I work with clients in my own business as an lgbtq business and marketing coach/consultant, I thought on the next few Fridays, I would share some of what I thought were great Marketing Campaigns and ask you a question. What has been one of your best offers or campaigns that helped boost your business? Share with the group as it may help someone else here in the Syndicate. Pride Month gives brands a golden opportunity to boost their reputation, establish deep connections with their customers, and drive growth. But only if your Pride Month marketing comes with the right intentions. Today’s buyers are looking for more than just great products. They want to support brands that align with their values and support important social causes, including LGBTQ+ inclusivity. You need to show that your business is genuinely committed to diversity and inclusion. If you nail that, your ideal customers will choose you over your competitors. That means more repeat buyers, higher order values, and more cash/credibility in your pocket. in 2021 Lego premiered its "Everyone is Awesome" build set, released during Pride Month. This set was designed by LEGO®’s Vice President of Design, Matthew Ashton, who is himself a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The global toy company showcased a vibrant lineup of LEGO® figurines representing the diverse identities of the LGBTQ+ community. LEGO® went beyond the normal Pride flag and included the colors of the transgender flag and a drag queen figurine. (They're still available). It was a great twist on their Lego Movie's tune about how "Everything is Awesome." It gave a quick nostalgia nod to the movie and it kept very on brand for other lego figurines they have made in the past. It was packaged to look like a regular Lego products, although the colors were definitely Pride-centric, all of Lego's bricks are colorful, so it felt congruent, and it included assembly instructions, just like every other Lego set does. And it was very On-Brand for the company, which already had a very good rep for inclusiveness and diversity: https://www.lego.com/en-za/sustainability/diversity-and-inclusion

Tree Sequoia, a legend in the NYC gay bar scene for nearly 6 decades, shares his memories of The Ninth Circle, Julius' and The Stonewall Inn. https://youtu.be/D1dJJzRukI0 #gayNYC #ilovegaybars #GayBarchives MORE ABOUT TREE: Tree Sequoia (Fredd E. Sequoia) is a legendary bartender at The Stonewall Inn and a veteran of the 1969 Stonewall uprising. A 6'5.5" queer elder and NYC icon, he has worked at the landmarked bar for over 22 years, acting as a living witness to the birth of the modern LGBTQ+ rights #stonewallinn #stonewall

Hi all, a big win for last week was getting our Production Insurance sorted out in rapid time (due to our previous insurance falling through) all thanks to the help of fellow member Norman Wagner he helped me find the perfect company who walked me through everything and we had it all sorted, arranged and finalised within a day. Was a great relief as the impact of no insurance was HUGE! Big thanks Norman.

I'm back — and I have genuinely missed being fully engaged with each of you. When I have my Thursday coffee without you, it’s simply lonely. The past few weeks, I've been immersed in a leadership program at Harvard Business School, focusing on power, influence, and how to use both for good. I entered curious. I'm leaving changed — and honestly, a little more grateful for the people already in my corner. Here's what stayed with me most: power isn't just positional — it's relational. It exists in our ability to gather people, clarify what matters, and spark movement. And influence isn't about who speaks the loudest — it's built through credibility, consistency, and trust over time. But the idea that really stuck with me? Systems don't change because they're challenged once. They change because people stay engaged long enough to reshape them. That's this group. And here's something else worth reflecting on — if there's no friction, we're probably not making enough of a difference. Progress creates resistance. Friction is where real change happens. What we're building here isn't just community. It's capacity — the kind that compounds. The ability to influence, to lift each other, and to move things forward in meaningful ways. I'm so glad to be back. I've missed your energy, your thinking, and the work we do together. I'm coming back with fresh eyes, a full heart, and many ideas I can't wait to explore with you.