A Sioux Falls resident is compiling a list of LGBTQ+ friendly businesses. Here's why.

One Sioux Falls resident is busy creating “Dorothy’s List,” a project compiling a statewide collection of businesses that are allied with the LGBTQ+ community, and resources for businesses to become better allies to their customers and clients.

Adam Jorgensen’s work is in partnership with Sioux Falls Pride, and is part of the Billie Sutton Leadership Institute, through which he is one of nine 2023 Sutton Leaders. Other leaders in the institute are working on a variety of topics, including mental health, healing trauma, queer history and more.

Jorgensen compiled information for his research by way of a survey that asked participants how much they see businesses engaging with the LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit community outside of Pride Month, what they believe the hallmarks of an inclusive business are and what a business or organization can do to show their space is inclusive.

“A lot of businesses dipped out after all the rainbow stuff was gone,” at the end of Pride Month in June, Jorgensen said. “I wanted to bridge that gap.”

More: What would make South Dakota safer for the LGBTQ+ community? Not just policies alone.

Many people in South Dakota are looking for businesses that genuinely support their community and are invested in making South Dakota a better place, he said. Some respondents said businesses could do better by putting up pride flags, providing LGBTQ+ inclusive healthcare and benefits for their employees, and more.

His survey also asked people if they feel safe as an LGBTQ+ or Two Spirit person in South Dakota, and if not, why they feel that way.

Jorgensen said many felt unsafe because of the political scene in South Dakota; fear of being reprimanded or fired for being LGBTQ+; hearing negative comments, hate speech or slurs while they’re out in the community; fear of physical violence or harm; or, because they struggle to find openly inclusive businesses.

More: A decade of hate: How South Dakota's anti-LGBTQ+ bills have grown in the last 10 years

He also asked what businesses people would like to see be more vocally supportive of the LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit community, and what businesses they would “shout out” for being strong allies of the community.

Allied local businesses respondents shouted out in the survey included Zandbroz, Full Circle Book Co-Op, the State Theatre, Club David, Cleanslate Design + Print and Pheasant Restaurant & Lounge in Brookings, and Drifters in Pierre, Jorgensen said.

For businesses that people wanted to see more vocal support from, Jorgensen said he will be bringing his survey results to each of them to explain what they can do to get more involved in, and supportive of, the LGBTQ+ community.

Then, “people don’t have to second-guess or wonder if they can go there for business or shopping,” he said.

More: A decade of hate: How anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric has shaped legislation in Pierre

What else are the Sutton Leaders working on?

Another leader from the institute, Jake Danielson, is based in Rapid City and is working on a mental health project that he said he hopes will help people change the way they look at mental health and give people personal development schools to take care of their own mental health. He’s also working on a support program for youth transitioning out of mental health treatment facilities.

Sutton said his institute is all about helping people take on projects, big or small, that they are passionate about.

“We believe that change happens with action and community engagement, and these projects are a great way to build trust in communities and in turn affect change,” he said.

Participants can apply for grant funding through the institute and if eligible, they can receive up to $1,000 in grants that will go to the nonprofit that the participant works with.

2023 Sutton Leaders include Jorgensen and Danielson, Angie Cleberg, Elaine Yellow Horse, Karin Eagle, Kendra Gottsleben, Lindsey Peterson, Sara Burtis and Serene Thin Elk.

2023 Sutton Rural Power Leaders include Bobbi Jo Horsted, Brendyn Richards, Carmen Garcia Pacheco, Courtney Sully, Jessica Murano, Lesley Atkins and Sentel Schreier.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Billie Sutton 2023 Leadership Institute includes LGBTQ+ research