June 23, 2015
Washington, D.C. — The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, stands proudly with Senators Merkley, Baldwin, and Booker and Representatives Cicilline and Lewis who have introduced The Equality Act in Congress. This act will ensure federal non-discrimination protections for LGBT people, promoting equal access to employment, housing, credit, public spaces and services, education, federally funded programs, and beyond.
“Being open for business means being open to everyone. When LGBT workers and entrepreneurs are protected, they are empowered to bring their whole selves to work, which increases productivity and innovation, raises performance levels, and retains top LGBT talent,” says NGLCC Co-Founder and President, Justin Nelson. “This bill highlights many of the inequities that have kept tax-paying, law-abiding LGBT citizens from achieving success. Our economy simply does not achieve all it can unless everyone is included and given a fair shot. The protections of the Equality Act bring us much closer to the inclusion we need for the American Dream to be accessible to every LGBT American. We hope this bill ignites essential conversations that benefit LGBT business owners, including protection from discrimination in government contracting alongside other diverse-owned businesses.”
The NGLCC is the nation’s leader on creating opportunities in the marketplace for hardworking LGBT business owners to contribute to the national economy. The Equality Act will bring the nation in line with a long-held best practice of corporate America: treating every worker and business owner with equal dignity and respect. Both this bill and the recent EEOC decision underscore the value of local efforts to improve LGBT business opportunities.
“Equal protection for America’s LGBT employees, business owners, and job creators has an immediate bottom line benefit to every community,” says NGLCC Co-Founder & CEO Chance Mitchell. “A level playing field ensures that merit is the only factor that allows someone to succeed in business. Think of the endless opportunities to contribute to the economy that await the LGBT business community when they are no longer afraid of being fired from their jobs, evicted from their homes, denied service in restaurants and shops simply for being who they are.”
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NGLCC MEDIA CONTACT:
Jonathan Lovitz
Senior Vice President, NGLCC
954-695-5896
ABOUT NGLCC:
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses, known as LGBT Business Enterprise® (LGBTBE®) companies. www.nglcc.org @nglcc
**Statement updated in March 2019 to reflect NGLCC’s new brand name and updated contact information
