GCash Celebrates Pride Month by Supporting LGBTQIA+ Owned Businesses

 In honor of Pride Month, GCash, the Philippines' leading financial super app and largest cashless ecosystem, has proudly highlighted its partnerships with businesses owned by members of the LGBTQIA+ community. This initiative aligns with GCash’s ongoing mission to foster digital financial inclusion and promote economic growth for all Filipinos.

One notable example is Michin Saja, a coffee shop owned by entrepreneur Alexis Carlos. Alexis, who inherited the café from her mother, has transformed Michin Saja into a welcoming space for the LGBTQIA+ community. The café’s commitment to customer comfort and employee empowerment has led to its growth, with a second branch opening in Marikina last March, following the original location in San Mateo, Rizal.

GCash for Business has played a crucial role in Michin Saja’s daily operations, expansion, and resilience during economically challenging times. The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant hurdles, including reduced sales and the need for a versatile cashless payment system. GCash’s financial solutions, such as GLoan—offered through GCash’s official lending arm, Fuse—provided the stability necessary for Michin Saja to flourish. Alexis reflected, “To overcome the pandemic’s challenges, we had to develop new strategies or products. My mother utilized GLoan for product research and marketing.”

During the strict quarantine lockdowns, Michin Saja heavily relied on GCash payments to facilitate contactless transactions. Alexis noted, "The pandemic required us to be contactless with customers. GCash made our delivery process more efficient, benefiting both us and our customers who enjoyed diverse payment options."

Michin Saja’s success underscores GCash’s dedication to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through digital payments and loans. GCash sustainability head CJ Alegre emphasized, "LGBTQIA+ businesses are celebrated for their creativity and warmth. Supporting them benefits their communities as well. We aim to be a steadfast partner, providing access to financial services and loans to help them thrive in the digital economy."

GCash for Business offers various payment solutions, including Scan to Pay, WebPay, and Funds Disbursement. The GCash QR system enables secure QR transactions, digital wallets, and real-time payments to suppliers, along with multiple payment options such as GCredit and GGives. Merchants enjoy benefits like no wallet limits and real-time transaction monitoring through the merchant portal.

Additionally, GCash for Business provides a range of loan services through Fuse, including GCredit, GGives, GLoan, and GLoan Sakto. These loans, ranging from PHP 100 to PHP 125,000, are easily accessible via the GCash app, ensuring a hassle-free borrowing experience. Unlike traditional lending practices, GCash assesses applications based on app transactions rather than credit history or collateral, reducing bias and discrimination.

In support of LGBTQIA+ businesses, GCash for Business has introduced The QueeR Market, an online directory showcasing LGBTQIA+ businesses. The platform features business descriptions, employee and customer support stories, and opportunities for businesses to sign up and access payment solutions.

Alegre concluded, “Finding businesses and organizations that celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community is essential. By empowering LGBTQIA+ businesses, we contribute to the broader community’s success and the nation's goal of financial inclusion.”