Fifty years ago, two brothers from a small town in Kentucky packed up their tools, their hopes, and their bond—and headed west to Phoenix. What Bill and Scott Thompson built in the desert was more than infrastructure. It was connection. It was community. And, eventually, it became a legacy of love that now stretches far beyond Arizona’s borders.
This is the story of Thompson Communications, a pioneering cable construction company, and how its evolution led to the creation of LGBTQ.ONE and its groundbreaking web application, https://theapp.one—a free, privacy-first tool helping LGBTQ+ individuals and allies find safe, inclusive spaces wherever they go.
Building Arizona’s Cable Backbone
Bill and Scott Thompson began their careers in cable construction in rural Kentucky, working in underserved communities where laying coaxial cable was often more mission than job. By the early 1970s, they set their sights on a bigger opportunity: the booming city of Phoenix, Arizona.
Operating under Thompson Communications, the brothers played a key role in building the city’s early cable television infrastructure. They worked with major providers like Storer and American Cable, and were instrumental in laying nearly 2,000 miles of coaxial and later fiber optic cable throughout the metro area.
When Cox Communications entered the market and acquired both Storer and American Cable, Thompson Communications became a prime contractor, a testament to their quality, reliability, and regional expertise.
Their reach didn’t stop in Phoenix.
Over time, the Thompsons acquired 22 cable franchises across Arizona, servicing communities such as Lake Havasu, Golden Shores, Golden Valley, and Wellton. These franchises were eventually sold to Cox, cementing Thompson Communications as a cornerstone of Arizona’s communications history.
For over 30 years, the company thrived—not only as a business but as a force of progress. The Thompsons were active in the Arizona Cable Television Association, engaged with civic leaders like Susan Bitter Smith, and proudly represented Arizona as members of the National Cable Television Association (NCTA).
They didn’t just wire cities. They wired people together, said one longtime colleague.
A Hidden Pain and a Life Cut Short
Behind their success story, however, was a quieter and far more painful struggle.
Scott Thompson, a gay man, grew up in an era and environment where acceptance was hard to come by. Despite a successful career and the strong bond he shared with his brother, the emotional scars of childhood discrimination followed him into adulthood.
In 2023, Scott died by suicide at the age of 52.
His loss was devastating—not only to his family and community, but to his brother Bill, who had worked side by side with Scott for decades.
In the wake of tragedy, Bill made a promise.
He would channel his grief into action. He would build something—not with cables, but with compassion. Something that could help others like Scott navigate the world with more safety, more dignity, and more hope.
A New Kind of Connection: LGBTQ.ONE and THEAPP.ONE
From that promise came LGBTQ.ONE, a nonprofit initiative designed to support and protect LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies across the country.
At the heart of this mission is THEAPP.ONE, a free, simple-to-use, privacy-first web application that empowers users to know where they will be welcomed, safe, and respected—before they even walk through the door.
Unlike traditional apps, THEAPP.ONE:
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Requires no downloads
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Requires no login or account
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Works instantly on any device
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Never collects personal data
Instead, it offers real-time access to inclusive businesses, affirming professionals, LGBTQ+ events, and community resources across the United States. Whether someone is new to a city, traveling, or just seeking community, THEAPP.ONE helps remove uncertainty and fear from the equation.
This is about dignity. It’s about knowing that you can exist—openly and safely—in the world, says Bill.
From Phoenix to the Nation
Though born in Phoenix, THEAPP.ONE’s reach has expanded nationally. What started as a local response to a personal tragedy is now a growing movement of digital inclusion and real-world impact.
Local businesses and professionals are encouraged to join the platform, signaling their commitment to inclusion and helping users feel welcome from the moment they step through the door. Community members can also suggest or verify safe spaces, making it a truly grassroots, community-driven initiative.
The platform continues to grow, city by city, driven by the very thing that started it all: love.
A Legacy of Love and Safety
Today, when Bill looks back on the decades he spent building Arizona’s cable infrastructure, he sees more than lines and contracts. He sees the foundation for something bigger—a mission that bridges far more than bandwidth.
Through LGBTQ.ONE and THEAPP.ONE, he is honoring his brother Scott’s memory in the most meaningful way possible: by protecting others from the pain he couldn’t prevent, and by offering connection where it’s needed most.
From coaxial cable to digital community, from rural Kentucky to the national stage, the Thompsons’ story is not only one of entrepreneurship—it’s one of courage, compassion, and enduring brotherly love.
To learn more or explore THEAPP.ONE, visit https://theapp.one