FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Laura Berry 202-234-9181 or press@nglcc.org
Washington D.C. (03/18/2013) – Today the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) announced strong support for Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez to lead the U.S. Department of Labor and called on the U.S. Senate to move quickly in confirming him as Secretary.
“Mr. Perez is a staunch supporter of fairness and equality and he has long been an ally of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community,” said Justin Nelson, President and Co-Founder of NGLCC. “At a time when the workforce and small business owners are more diverse than ever before, it is important to have a leader who has fought for civil rights for all Americans.”
Nelson noted Perez’s current work leading the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and his previous role as a former Maryland Labor Secretary as key factors for the organization’s support. Perez has notably investigated the bullying of LGBT students, and has been vocal about his support to protect LGBT rights as well as people with disabilities, a collaborative constituency group with whom the NGLCC has done an increasing amount of work.
“NGLCC works closely with the Department of Labor to bring programs to the estimated 1.4 million LGBT-owned businesses, and we see a great deal of hope for Mr. Perez as Secretary of Labor,” said Chance Mitchell, NGLCC CEO and Co-Founder.
About NGLCC
The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the only national not-for-profit advocacy organization dedicated to expanding the economic opportunities and advancements of LGBT business community. With more than 29,000 members, 140 corporate partners, and 51 local, state, and international affiliate chambers, NGLCC is the largest LGBT business development and economic advocacy organization in the world.
