Lobbyist launches gay chamber of commerce

By Robert DiGiacomo
for the Philadelphia Gay News, 8/30/02
© 2002 Robert DiGiacomo

Justin Nelson, having worked both sides of the lobbying fence, recognizes an effective sales pitch, and he knows how to make one. The Wyoming native is a lobbyist for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and formerly worked as a staffer on Capitol Hill for U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.). These experiences have well prepared him for his true professional calling: launching The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

The fledgling not-for-profit organization, modeled after the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is intended to represent gay- and lesbian-owned and gay-friendly businesses.

"We're putting it together to represent gay and lesbian business interests and entrepreneurs, and to create more wealth for the community," said Nelson, who co-founded the organization with Chance Mitchell, an e-commerce and technology consultant.

"No longer will folks on Capitol Hill and in America listen to us because they feel it's the right thing to do, but because they have to. Suddenly, people will start to realize we're everywhere and we do all kinds of things. We're doctors and lawyers and reporters and lobbyists and small business owners. [We're] representing and creating opportunities for ma and ma and pa and pa shops."

The developing organization currently only has a home on the Web at www.nglcc.org. But Nelson has plans to open an office in Washington, D.C., by the end of the year, and to launch a membership drive by mid-2003. Currently, Nelson is traveling around the country, including a mid-September stop in Philadelphia, lining up support for the organization, and networking with local gay business associations, including the Greater Philadelphia Professional Network.

"I talk about the money we generate and how this organization can help us create our rightful place at the economic table," Nelson said. "Having been on Capitol Hill and in lobbying, I know how money talks. I didn't write the rules, but I plan on playing by them. We can do important things for the community - not just business advocacy, but political advocacy."

Among the goals of the National Gay Chamber: starting a venture capital fund; networking with corporate America to increase the number of gays and lesbians at the executive level; publishing a gay business magazine; and building stronger relationships between the corporate world and gay and lesbian entrepreneurs.

"One of the biggest things is access to capital," Nelson said. "Folks in the gay and lesbian community are a little wary of Big Brother and what kind of information they're divulging and to whom. They should have a place where they can answer those questions."

Gay-specific business issues can range from how to structure your business for your survivors to being able to comfortably complete the necessary government permits or loan applications for a specific "lifestyle" business. Or it may just be easier, Nelson said, for a gay or lesbian entrepreneur to interact with a gay-friendly resource.

"A number of individuals who own specific lifestyle-type businesses may feel uncomfortable going to current organizations out there," Nelson said. "Perhaps they own an adult book store or sell adult clothing. I talked to people who received a chilly reception from the U.S. Chamber [of Commerce]. Or maybe someone is a lesbian and she owns a flower shop. There's nothing gay-specific [about the business] except she's a lesbian."

While the organization seeks funding from corporations, individuals and foundations, these chamber services are not yet available. The NGLCC also plans to charge fees for membership, which will be available on a student, individual and business level. But the fee schedule has not been determined, Nelson said.

Despite the lack of concrete details, he is confident the Gay Chamber will launch, and will make its presence felt in the business world - and beyond.

"It's what we like to call the circle of advocacy, how this organization can help complete that circle," Nelson said. "Organizations in human rights, equal rights, youth advocacy, AIDS awareness - they've done a fantastic job.

"What we don't have is an organization that takes what we as gay and lesbian individuals have done economically, and puts that together collectively to further our causes. We talk about the money we generate, and how this organization can help us create our rightful place at the economic table."