GSDBA 2009 Business Resource Directory - (Page O) O FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE JOYCE MARIEB, Ph.D. Proud of a history of thirty years . . . of uniting community businesses and promoting those businesses year after year, GSDBA celebrates our 30th Anniversary in 2009. We thank all those who have supported us through membership, participation and leadership. Our community, the LGBT business community and all who stand with us, is a remarkable assemblage of creative, loyal and hard working business leaders who take pride in one another and in giving back to the community. As a specialty chamber of commerce GSDBA has been and continues to be involved in the struggles of our community for equal rights. In 1979 gay and lesbian business owners in a climate of discrimination banned together to form GSDBA in order to gain support and to work together to improve one another’s businesses. Today the struggle continues. The LGBT community celebrated the California Supreme Court’s decision of June, 2008, securing the right to marry for same sex couples. While voters in November of 2008 passed a state constitutional amendment which states marriage is only between a man and a woman, they did so by a margin of only 4 points. Courageous, fair-minded Californians have worked very hard donating time and money and will continue to do so. Eventually LGBT citizens will again have the right all other citizens have, to marry the persons we love. What an historic time to be celebrating our anniversary. With the past behind us we will build an even brighter future. We hope you will help us celebrate on June 11, 2009, when we present our Signature Event Gala. GSDBA will also be celebrating community business success, business excellence and community contributions by presenting awards to outstanding businesses and individuals at the Gala. This business resource Directory also celebrates our members. The photos on the cover are of members and others who have, over the years, been friends of GSDBA. The history of the chamber outlined in this edition honors the dedication and accomplishments of members, GSDBA boards of directors, volunteers and staffs. Read the other entries in the front of this Directory to see all that GSDBA has become, locally and nationally, and all that GSDBA offers members and the community. You have often heard touted that the LGBT community nationally is a 600+ billion dollar market. Many seek our dollars, and we are a lucrative and loyal market. But let’s not forget to support our own community businesses first. Look for the excellent service or product in this Directory when spending those hard earned dollars. We appreciate you and your business and look forward to a future of equality and prosperity.
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