
Emmett Soldati, owner of Teatotaller cafe in New Hampshire.
The Human Rights Campaign announced awardees of its fifth annual “Queer to Stay” program last month, naming a New Hampshire-based food business as one of its recipients.
Teatotaller Cafe, with locations in Concord and Dover, was named one of the recipients on Dec. 17, 2024.
Originally opened in 2011, Teatollater regularly hosts LGBTQ+ centered events—from Drag Story Hour to info sessions on anti-trans legislation—and has been described as one of New Hampshire’s most visible queer establishments.
“Visibility and community is everything. If you can’t see folks walking your path, or meet others with shared experiences, you might think it doesn’t exist,” said Emmett Soldati, owner of Teatotaller Cafe.
Teotaller received $10,000, and was one of 30 who got funding. The grant will distribute awards worth almost $1 million to small businesses across 19 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico.
Launched in 2020, the initiative provides funding to LGBTQ+ businesses to help address economic difficulties in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic.
“LGBTQ+ people deserve welcoming, safe spaces that are owned and run by us,” said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson in a news release.
Soldati will use the money to update his brand and increase its offerings.
Apart from running a successful business, Soldati is a staunch advocate of LGBTQ+ rights and a community activist. Soldati was a Democratic candidate for New Hampshire’s Executive Council from District 1—that includes parts of Carroll, Coos, Grafton Belknap and Strafford counties—in the most recent elections.
“Being an LGBTQ+ business owner has allowed me the freedom to express and create the kind of places I think New Hampshire needs and wants — and our success has reflected back that our community stands with us,” Soldati said.
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for New Hampshirites and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at Granite Post has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Granite State families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.


Why this NH mom is fighting a battle against anti-trans ideology in the state
A staunch advocate of reproductive freedom, Michelle Cilley Foisy is doing everything in her power to help change hearts and minds in New...

Federal judge temporarily blocks New Hampshire’s transgender sports ban law
Judge Landya McCafferty of the U.S. The District Court of New Hampshire on Monday ruled that HB 1205—which prohibits students in grades 5 to 12 who...

Sununu will let parents pull students from classes if gender, sexual orientation mentioned
Amidst recent Republican attacks on classroom teaching, a New Hampshire law will now require public school teachers to send parents a two-week...

After Gov. Sununu bans trans care for minors, this NH native shares her transition story
“When am I going to be a girl?” The question had bugged North Hampton native Emily Tressa since she was a small child. “I've always known that I'm...

Op-ed: LGBTQ Citizens and Allies Reflect on Anti-Trans Legislation as Families Leave State
New Laws Taking Effect On July 19th, Governor Sununu signed several bills into law which were deliberately designed to target transgender...

Op-ed: Big Gay Events Celebrates First Year Anniversary with Energetic Drag Show
Philip Smith and Alex Ralph, co-owners of Big Gay Events (BGE), returned to Manchester on July 21st for their first anniversary show at the Hop Knot...