Vetting Policy — The Out Network Orlando

Effective: May 2026 · Last Updated: May 2026

Our Mission

The Out Network Orlando exists to connect Orlando's LGBTQIA+ community with businesses that genuinely welcome, affirm, and respect every person who walks through their door. Our vetting process is designed to ensure that every business listed in our network has made a meaningful commitment to inclusion and not simply performed it.

Being listed in The Out Network is not a purchase. It is an approval. Every business here has been reviewed by our team and found to meet our standards for affirming, welcoming practice.

How Businesses Join

Businesses may be considered for inclusion through any of the following pathways:

Direct Application — A business owner or representative submits an application expressing their commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, their policies, staff practices, and community involvement.
Community Nomination — Members of the LGBTQIA+ community may nominate a business they have personally experienced as genuinely affirming. Nominated businesses are then contacted and invited to complete the application process.
Network Outreach — The Out Network team may proactively identify and reach out to businesses known within the community for their inclusive practices.

Our Review Process

All businesses, regardless of how they entered our pipeline, are reviewed by The Out Network team before being listed. Our review considers the following factors where applicable:

Stated commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion in their application
Public-facing policies, signage, or communications that reflect welcoming practices
Known community reputation and history
Responsiveness and tone during the application process
Any available information about staff training, inclusive hiring, or community involvement

Approval decisions are made at the sole discretion of The Out Network team. We reserve the right to decline any application without explanation.

Listing Standards

To maintain a listing in The Out Network, businesses agree to:

Treat all LGBTQIA+ customers, clients, and community members with dignity and respect
Maintain the inclusive practices represented in their application
Notify The Out Network of any significant changes to their business, ownership, or policies
Not engage in discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other protected characteristic

Concerns & Removal

The Out Network takes community concerns seriously. If you have a concern about a listed business, you may submit a confidential report to info@theoutnetwork.com. All reports are reviewed privately by our team.

Upon receiving a concern, The Out Network may:

Contact the business directly to discuss the concern
Request additional information from the reporting party
Place a listing under review while the concern is being evaluated
Remove a listing if the concern is substantiated or if the business no longer meets our standards

All removal decisions are made at the sole discretion of The Out Network. We do not operate a public review or comment system. Concerns are handled privately to protect all parties involved.

Not Pay-to-Play. Ever.

Membership fees, if applicable, support the operation of The Out Network platform and community programming. Payment of any fee does not guarantee inclusion, does not override the vetting process, and does not protect a business from removal if concerns are substantiated. Every business in our network has met our inclusion standards regardless of membership tier.

Policy Updates

The Out Network reserves the right to update this vetting policy at any time as our network grows and evolves. Changes will be reflected on this page with an updated effective date. We are committed to transparency and will communicate significant changes to our community.

Questions about our vetting process? Contact us at info@theoutnetwork.com