Celebrating Pride Month with Crypto

June 1 marks the beginning of Pride Month, where we all collectively celebrate the accomplishments of LGTBQ+ people, but also the work that we as a society still have to do create an equitable society that does not discriminate.

Crypto and Bitcoin don't discriminate, questions about equability vs equality aside, and can be very useful to LGBTQ+ communities. In countries where they might be heavily discriminated and persecuted, having access to a currency that is without government interference can be very useful. Blockchain allows those living in dangerous or limited situations to be able to share their ideas and art through NFTs, or to protect their data, or to engage in economic exchange without having a government power yank them back, try to prevent them from being able to  live a normal life just because they are LGBTQ+.

And there's many figures and projects in the crypto world that support LGTBQ+ endevours, working hard to help troubled teens, or share their message, or help start businesses, unlocking the power of crypto.

One great example is the Japanese startup Famiee Project. Japan doesn't have same-sex marriage, which can obviously lead to problems to couples and gaining access to spousal benefits. Koki Uchiyama came up with the answer though, creating a blockchain database that creates partnership certificates proving the relationship.

Dozens of Japanese companies that offer benefits to same sex spouses have signed onto the project, and it is currently in use today. Uchiyama was worried about the maintenance of the database, which is why he turned to Blockchain. It allowed for security of the data collected without need a central storage hub and security safegaurds.

Then there's the LGBT token, created in 2018  through the social networking site Hornet. Although the ICO never fully got off the ground, the crypto was still useful in many ways, for example in making it easy to get HIV tests in areas where that may not be easy. Users were able to get tested quickly and easily using the LGBT coin which also allowed them to stay annonymous in countries where it might be dangerous to be openly gay.

Another big group is the DAO Queer in Crypto. This group works to advocate LGBTQ inclusion in technology, especially crypto and Blockchain. Its a very inclusive community to try to provide a space for LGBTQ members to bounce ideas off each other and collaberate on Blockchain, Bitcoin, DeFi and more.

The LGBTQ community is embracing Bitcoin too. 25% of US LGBTQ members hold some type of crypto currency, compared to 13% of the general public. That number will likely grow, thanks in part to efforts of the groups above and others in trying to empower LGBTQ members and getting them involved in bitcoin, blockchain and tech. We should celebrate Bitcoin's diversity during this Pride month!