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The Palgrave Handbook of Minority Entrepreneurship pp 223–235Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Entrepreneurship and Coming Out: Exploring the Experiences of Gay and Lesbian Entrepreneurs

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Abstract

This chapter examines the under-researched area of gay entrepreneurship, exploring the literature on what it means to be a gay entrepreneur and how coming out might influence the experience of entrepreneurship. Focusing on the perspectives of gay and lesbian entrepreneurs in Ireland, this chapter asks when, where and how do gay people come out on their entrepreneurial journey. As well as looking at what might cause a gay person to hide their sexuality or to link their business to it, the chapter seeks to contribute to the growing discussion in this area of minority entrepreneurship research. The chapter concludes with an assessment of how gay entrepreneurs make decisions about coming out in business.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Etain Kidney

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  1. Etain Kidney
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Correspondence to Etain Kidney .

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  1. Dublin, Ireland

    Thomas M. Cooney

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Kidney, E. (2021). Entrepreneurship and Coming Out: Exploring the Experiences of Gay and Lesbian Entrepreneurs. In: Cooney, T.M. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Minority Entrepreneurship. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66603-3_11

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