Bill and Scott Thompson spent their lives building connections—first with cable, then with community. For over 30 years, the brothers were known across Arizona for helping shape the state’s cable television infrastructure. They laid thousands of miles of coaxial and fiber cable, bringing TV and information to rural towns that had long been overlooked.
But in 2023, everything changed.
Scott Thompson died by suicide at the age of 52 after a lifelong struggle with the emotional weight of being gay in a world that didn’t always accept him.
His death shattered his brother Bill. But out of that grief came a powerful mission: to make sure no one else felt the fear, isolation, or shame that Scott lived with.
That mission became LGBTQ.ONE, and its flagship project: THEAPP.ONE — a free, privacy-first web app helping LGBTQ+ people and allies find safe, welcoming places in every city in America.
It’s a story of family, loss, and the power of turning pain into purpose.
From Cable Pioneers to Community Builders
In the 1970s, Bill and Scott left Kentucky for Phoenix with a simple goal: build a business and bring cable TV to places that had been left behind.
They launched Thompson Communications, and quickly became a trusted name in the cable construction world. They helped build the early systems for providers like Storer and American Cable, and later became a prime contractor for Cox Communications.
Over time, they installed nearly 2,000 miles of cable across the state, serving small towns like Lake Havasu, Golden Shores, and Wellton. They held 22 cable franchises across Arizona and played an active role in both the Arizona Cable Television Association and the National Cable Television Association.
But while they were connecting people to entertainment and information, Scott was carrying a deeper personal burden.
A Hidden Pain
Scott was smart, driven, and dedicated to the business. But he also grew up gay in a time and place where that meant keeping part of himself hidden.
He never let it stop him, but the quiet struggle was always there. As Bill would later share, “Scott smiled through a lot of pain. He never wanted to burden anyone, but that doesn’t mean the burden wasn’t there.”
In 2023, Scott died by suicide.
For Bill, the loss was life-altering. But instead of letting the grief break him, he made a promise—to create something that could help others like Scott, something that might prevent the same kind of heartbreak.
The Birth of LGBTQ.ONE and THEAPP.ONE
Out of that promise came LGBTQ.ONE, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and uplifting LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.
At its center is THEAPP.ONE, a free, no-download, no-login tool that helps users identify safe, inclusive spaces wherever they go.
Whether you're looking for a welcoming doctor’s office, an affirming therapist, a queer-friendly coffee shop, or an LGBTQ+ event in your area — THEAPP.ONE points you in the right direction.
There are no ads. No trackers. No algorithms. Just people helping people find places where they can feel safe, respected, and at home.
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How It Works
THEAPP.ONE runs directly in any web browser — no app store, no sign-up. You just visit the site, and it works.
Users can search by location and category, find inclusive professionals, businesses, and events, and even suggest their own trusted spaces for inclusion.
The app is constantly updated with community input and volunteer support. Every listing is reviewed for safety and authenticity.
And businesses can apply to be listed by agreeing to real inclusion standards — not just rainbow flags in June, but year-round commitment to treating LGBTQ+ people with respect and dignity.
A Legacy Rooted in Love
Though THEAPP.ONE is now used nationwide, its heart remains in Phoenix — the place where two brothers built a business together and where one of them made the ultimate sacrifice.
Today, Bill continues to grow the project, working with LGBTQ+ centers, schools, and business networks across the country to expand access and awareness. He’s also leading outreach to small business owners, helping them understand what real inclusion looks like and how they can become part of the solution.
It’s not flashy. It’s not corporate. It’s real.
And it’s growing — one safe space at a time.
More Than a Map — It’s a Movement
THEAPP.ONE is more than a tool. It’s a lifeline. A signal to people who feel alone or uncertain that there are places — and people — who will welcome them exactly as they are.
For someone like Scott, it might have made all the difference.
Now, thanks to Bill and the community behind LGBTQ.ONE, it just might make that difference for someone else.
Explore THEAPP.ONE now at www.theapp.one
Support or learn more about LGBTQ.ONE at www.lgbtq.one