This Couple’s Platform Is Helping Queer Founders And Professionals Take Up Space

Navigating the tech industry as women of color is already challenging, but when layered with other marginalized identities, the obstacles become even greater.

Marianna Di Regolo (she/her) and Cat Perez (she/they), the married couple behind Famm, are proving that innovation, resilience, and community-building can create meaningful change in this space.

Building a Platform for Inclusivity

Famm was born out of a personal and community need. Created as a marketplace spotlighting LGBTQ+-owned e-commerce brands, Famm recently launched a social network app for LGBTQ professionals.

“As I navigated my gender identity, I struggled to find affirming brands that matched my style,” Perez shared in an interview with POCIT. 

This frustration inspired the couple to create a platform where users can easily discover products and services aligned with their values.

Beyond connecting consumers with businesses, Famm incorporates storytelling by featuring founder interviews and brand bios, amplifying the voices of entrepreneurs who often lack visibility. 

“We wanted to empower queer business owners to take up more space,” Perez explained.

Technology as a Gateway

Tech is central to Famm’s mission, bridging geographical and social gaps by providing access to affirming products and services worldwide. 

Whether it’s finding a binder in a small town or locating a queer-affirming therapist, Famm ensures accessibility.

Drawing on their background in user experience design, Perez emphasized that every element of Famm and their new mobile app, Famm Connect, is designed with inclusivity and accessibility in mind. 

Launched in December 2024, Famm Connect is the first social network for LGBTQ+ professionals and businesses, offering a safe space to connect, collaborate, and grow. 

“The user experience is key in everything we build,” Perez said.

‘Politics belongs in the workplace’

Representation in tech remains dismal—Black and Hispanic women account for just 3% and 2% of computing roles, respectively, according to Accenture and Girls Who Code data. Fewer than 1 in 10 women of color (8%) and queer women (9%) in tech say it is “easy” for them to thrive compared to 1 in 5 women overall. 

Perez has Puerto Rican and Korean heritage and recalls facing relentless microaggressions and systemic biases in thw workplace: “It’s tough navigating your workday while dealing with sexism and racism.”

For Di Regolo, who is from a Middle Eastern background, fear of discrimination meant working in environments where she didn’t feel safe coming out. Starting Famm offered both a personal and professional solution.  “Building this community gave me a safe space to be myself,” Di she shared.

The founders stress the need for systemic accountability, including board-driven diversity initiatives and political advocacy by tech leaders. 

“Politics doesn’t belong in the workplace? That’s unacceptable,” Perez asserted, stressing the real-world impact of policies on marginalized employees.

A Vision for the Future

Famm’s ambitions extend beyond its current offerings. The founders envision it as the largest social network for queer professionals, aiming to drive hundreds of millions in economic impact and boost representation in leadership.

“Could you imagine if our app helped more queer people of color secure CEO and board positions?” Perez said.

They also hope to establish in-person networking events and retreats, turning their virtual community into a more tangible support network. 

“Local chapters and conferences could bring us together globally,” Di Regolo envisioned.

As tech continues to evolve, platforms like Famm remind us of the transformative power of inclusion and the importance of creating spaces that amplify underrepresented voices.

Image credit: Cat Perez