GSDBA 2009 Business Resource Directory - (Page K) K GSDBA HISTORY Since its inception, the Greater San Diego Business Association has been setting trends, delivering results, and providing cohesion and mutual interaction within the LGBT business community. who started the GSDBA? Founded in May of 1979 by concerned business individuals including Ron Umbaugh, Jim Walsh, John-David Schon- brook, Ben Brown, Steve Desdier, Fred Schlesinger, Tom Homann, Mike Ragatz, Reese LaRiviere, Patricia Reeves, Carol Horowitz, Bob Clark, George Isbell, Jr., and Don Hauck, the GSDBA began its work with 21 members and a dedicated Board of Directors. In August of 1979, the GSDBA published its first Register of 16 pages with 67 business listings. This small but resourceful booklet was the first publication of specifically gay and lesbian owned and/or oriented businesses in San Diego. By June of 1980, the GSDBA was already a leader in its field, being the third largest gay and lesbian business association in the United States behind New York and San Francisco. In September of 1980 membership in the Greater San Diego Business Association broke 100, proving that the GSDBA means business. The GSDBA hired its first paid employee on a part-time basis in January of 1981. As time progressed the GSDBA moved to permanent offices, and, in July of 1993, the organization hired its first Executive Director, Meredith Vezina, on a part-time basis. In March of 1994, the GSDBA hired its first full-time Executive Director, Bill Donnelly. Throughout the years the GSDBA and its members have been involved in many community based struggles, from taking on the responsibility of the Harvey Milk Scholarship Fund in 1979; addressing the University of California in support of Dr. Chris Matthews, founder of the Owens Clinic; hosting a number of Mayoral and City Council election debates; taking on employment discrimination in 1984; defeating Proposition 64 – the LaRouche AIDS initiative in 1986; joining the San Diego Chamber of Commerce in 1993; supporting the lifting of the ban on gays & lesbians in the military; to its current advocacy of marriage equality, by opposing Proposition 8. first directory 100 members strong first paid employee community leadership embracing diversity
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