LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In the middle of bourbon country, there are Kentuckians still searching for more sober spaces for a go-to good time. According to Louisvillian Arielle Clark, that's especially so in the LGBTQ community. As more municipalities across the Commonwealth adopt their own fairness ordinances, Clark hopes the protections for LGBTQ businesses can help pave the way for more places like her soon to be tea cafe, Sis Got Tea. 

Standing by her own apartment-sized stove and kettle, Clark dreams of a day she will be operating on an industrial-style stove. That will be the day her cafe opens, as soon as she's able to find a storefront in Louisville. She's perfecting her cup of tea. The hobby has become business now, as she bottles and sells her teas at special events. 

"Building this brand has really been a part of exploring and accepting my identities," Clark explains. 

Growing up, for Clark, included coming out and accepting her identities as an individual belonging to more than one marginalized group. She found herself resorting to the bar scene, alcohol-centered events, to have a good judgment-free time. However, she quit drinking. There were few options and safe spaces for her to go. 

"For me personally it's been a journey to acceptance like being LGBTQ and being black, particularly in a city that's very alcohol-centric," Clark says. "I want to provide the spaces that I needed when I was growing up," Clark says. 

That's the vision for Sis Got Tea. Her goal is to open a brick and mortar store by the end of the year. 

Meanwhile, she's pushing for progress. According to the Fairness Campaign, there are 14 cities in Kentucky that have a Fairness Ordinance of some kind. Those are Louisville, Lexington, Covington, Vicco, Frankfort, Morehead, Danville, Midway, Paducah, Maysville, Henderson, Dayton, Georgetown, and Versailles.