The Importance of LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce in Florida’s Business Community

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LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce have been established in several regions of Florida, providing a platform for LGBTQ entrepreneurs and business owners to network, collaborate, and access resources to grow their businesses. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce in Florida and explore their impact on the community.

Florida’s LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce

Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber

The Tampa LGBT Chamber of Commerce, previously known as the Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce (TBDCC), was founded in 1983. The TBDCC serves as a resource for LGBTQ-owned and friendly businesses, professionals, and allies in the Tampa Bay area, including. The chamber represents over 600+ businesses, community groups, and individuals in seven counties: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, Sarasota, Polk, and Hernando.

Its mission is “to advance common business interests, economic growth, and equality in the workplace and society for its LGBTQ and allied businesses, corporations, and professional members by providing educational, networking, and community engagement.”

Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

The Miami-Dade LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, also known as the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC), was founded in 2006.

With over 1200 members, its mission is to “promote a unified and thriving, gay and gay-friendly, business and professional community throughout Miami-Dade County.”

The organization hosts several events throughout the year to highlight and support its member businesses and outstanding LGBTQ business leaders.

MBA Orlando

MBA Orlando, also known as the Metropolitan Business Association, is the largest LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce in Central Florida. The organization was founded in 1992 and serves as a resource for LGBTQ-owned and friendly businesses, professionals, and allies in the Orlando area.

MBA Orlando hosts an annual Pride in Business Awards ceremony that recognizes outstanding LGBTQ business owners and advocates in the Orlando area.

Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC) was founded in 2010 to promote and support LGBTQ-owned and LGBTQ-friendly businesses in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. The organization aims to foster economic growth and diversity through networking, advocacy, and education.

The GFLGLCC is a member-driven organization that provides a variety of benefits and services to its members. These benefits include networking events, business development workshops, marketing and advertising opportunities, and access to resources such as legal and financial services. The GFLGLCC also offers a variety of programs to support LGBTQ entrepreneurs, including mentorship and coaching programs.

The organization works to build partnerships with local businesses, government officials, and community leaders to promote non-discrimination policies and practices in the workplace. The GFLGLCC also advocates for LGBTQ rights at the local, state, and national levels.

The GFLGLCC hosts an annual gala that recognizes outstanding LGBTQ business owners and advocates in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area.

The Key West Business Guild

Although it doesn’t brand itself as a chamber like the others in our list, the Key West Business Guild has the functions of both a marketing destination organization and LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce for Key West and the Florida Keys. The organization was founded in 1978 and has been instrumental in promoting Key West as a welcoming and inclusive destination for LGBTQ travelers and businesses. In fact, it is one of the only Florida LGBTQ focused predominantly on the tourism industry.

The mission of the Key West Business Guild is to “promote LGBT travel to Key West through marketing and the promotion of special events; to support gay-owned, gay-managed, and gay-friendly businesses; to strengthen the Gay community’s position within the local community by supporting relevant LGBTQ+ issues.”

Southwest Florida Harmony Chamber of Commerce

Formed in 2019, the Southwest Florida Harmony Chamber of Commerce (SWFLHCC) is dedicated to fostering a network of LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly businesses and professionals. In addition, the chamber works to support its members by providing them with resources and business opportunities.

The SWFLHCC serves as an advocate for tourism in Southwest Florida, highlighting its attractions as a year-round destination for LGBTQ and friendly visitors. They facilitate outreach from their community to partner organizations.

Why LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce Matter

LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce offer a range of services to their members, including networking events, business workshops and training, advocacy for LGBTQ-owned businesses, and opportunities for members to connect with potential clients and customers. They also provide resources and support for LGBTQ-owned businesses to grow and succeed in their respective industries.

One of the key benefits of LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce is the sense of community they provide. These organizations offer a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ entrepreneurs and business owners to connect with like-minded individuals who share their values and experiences. For many LGBTQ business owners, this sense of community is essential, especially in areas where discrimination and prejudice against LGBTQ individuals still exist.

The LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce in Florida also play an important role in advocating for LGBTQ-owned businesses and advancing LGBTQ rights in the workplace. They work to promote diversity and inclusion in the business community, encouraging businesses to adopt policies and practices that support LGBTQ individuals. This includes advocating for non-discrimination policies and protections for LGBTQ employees, as well as promoting LGBTQ-owned businesses to increase their visibility and success.

In recent years, the LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce in Florida have seen significant growth and success. They have expanded their memberships and established partnerships with other organizations to further support the LGBTQ community. They have also gained recognition and support from local governments and businesses, which have realized the value of supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Conclusion

The LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce in Florida are making a significant impact in supporting and advancing the interests of LGBTQ-owned businesses. They offer vital resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy for LGBTQ individuals, helping to build a more diverse and inclusive business community. As these Chambers continue to grow and expand, they will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in supporting and empowering LGBTQ entrepreneurs and business owners across the state.

**Disclaimer: There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate or sponsor links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you (for which we are extremely grateful).

Also, while we do our best to highlight LGBTQ-friendly destinations and businesses, info provided is based solely on personal experience and recommendations by community partners. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. Please inform us if you experience discrimination or homophobia while visiting any destination so we can make updates to our recommendations.

Rachel Covello

Rachel Covello is an award-winning speaker, writer, diversity consultant, and LGBT advocate. She was the Founder of LGBT Equality Alliance, a Chester County, PA nonprofit organization. She is currently the Publisher of OutCoast.com and Producer of the OutCoast TV YouTube Channel, both of which highlight LGBTQ welcoming destinations in Florida.

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