Chamber Connection

Pride 2023

Dear Chamber,

For those of us who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, pride is a year-long feeling. We are proud of the businesses we run, the families we create, of ourselves, and the people we love. For the rest of the country, I’m appreciative that June is a time when many people pause and spend time learning about the beauty of our community and the importance of equality, inclusion, and justice for those of us who are born LGBTQ+.

A heroic example of our resilience was demonstrated at the Boston Pride for the People Festival and Parade. Last year, our Chamber was instrumental in providing the bulk of the support that these amazing volunteers needed to put together Boston Pop-Up Pride. This year, that same group — with the addition of a few like-minded change makers — single-handedly created the most empowering grassroots show of unity and celebration that the community has seen in a long time. These volunteers worked hard to provide millions of people the opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Governor, Mayor, and many other prominent figures who showed up to demonstrate their support for our community.

Pride didn’t just take place in Boston; Pride took place across the entire Commonwealth. Our staff attended nearly a dozen Pride festivals, raising Pride flags and meeting with community leaders, all while continuing to add new members and partners. We continue to work tirelessly to improve the economic wellbeing of the community and our small businesses as we strive to weave the thread of our people into the fabric that is Massachusetts.

It is not lost on us that on the last day of Pride month, the Supreme Court has ruled on the side of discrimination with their decision on 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis. We are feeling the longterm effects of the Trump administration's bigotry and hatred for those of us who do not represent the majority. We must hold each other accountable for the responsibilities that we have to one another. We are fortunate to live in a state that is led by one of the first openly lesbian governors in the country. Today, Governor Healey's administration released an $18M spending goal for LGBTQ+ businesses under their supplier diversity program, sending a clear message that in Massachusetts, everybody's dollar is worth a dollar. Everybody has the right to grow a business, to provide goods and services, to earn a living no matter the color of their skin, their gender expression, or sexual identity.

As much as Pride Month is a celebration, it is also a protest, and this year’s Pride has demonstrated exactly why we must continue fighting and what we are fighting against. We will carry this spirit into July and know you will be right there with us.

Proudly,

Grace R. Moreno

Executive Director

PRIDE 2023 LGBTQ+ JOB FAIR

The Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce holds an annual Pride Month LGBTQ+ Job Fair to spotlight LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace, and support the LGBTQ+ community in finding inclusive career opportunities. This year, we teamed up with Boston Lesbigay Urban Foundation to host our 2023 Pride Month Job Fair at Roxbury Community College. We had approximately 300 job seekers and 30 employers attend. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success!

If you couldn't attend the job fair, visit the job board on our website to see which employers are searching for talent!

OUR CHAMBER PRIDE ACTIVITIES

The Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce team proudly represented our organization at various Pride activities this month.

BBJ Business of Pride Event, May 31

Grace Moreno and Thaís De Marco supported award honorees and our corporate partner Berkshire Bank at BBJ's 7th annual Business of Pride event.

Boston City Hall Plaza Pride Kickoff and Flag Raising, June 1

Kicking off the month, the City of Boston City Hall hosted a flag raising, performances, and Portraits of Pride unveiling at City Hall Plaza. Portraits of Pride, a captivating photography project showcasing LGBTQ+ leaders, was expertly curated by our very own Jean Dolin.

The You Ball Fundraising Gala, June 1

Grace Moreno and Angie Montalvo (and former team member Damon Carswell) enjoyed an inspirational evening celebrating and honoring the Western Massachusetts region’s stellar ‎LGBTQIA+ and Ally business owners, professionals, and community leaders.

Safe Passage Youth Event, June 2

Safe Passage advocates work towards safety, healing, and justice for our entire community. Grace Moreno was thrilled to be amongst a diverse panel of speakers that shared stories about identity, struggle, and triumph with a captivated youth audience.

Trans Resistance March & Festival, June 3

Gabby Blonder and Reina Ysaguirre-Boersma tabled at the Trans Resistance Festival, representing our Chamber and sharing information about our work and mission with event-goers.

Amherst Pride, June 3

Mel Ayer attended Amherst Pride at the Mill District, enjoying the day-long festival and connecting with potential new small business members.

Springfield Pride Festival, June 4

At Springfield's second-ever Pride parade and festival, our enthusiastic Western MA team joined the crowd to represent our Chamber. Many of our Western MA members also turned out to showcase their small businesses!

Berkshire Pride, June 4

Berkshire Pride is the Berkshires' annual LGBTQ+ Pride Festival, and welcomes thousands of Berkshires’ LGBTQ+ community members every June to come together and celebrate unity, acceptance, and inclusion. We dropped in to support our Chamber members tabling the event!

Melrose Pride Celebration, June 9

Hosted by the Melrose Human Rights Commission in collaboration with the office of Mayor Paul Brodeur, our team tabled at the Melrose Pride Celebration. Inclement weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of celebration-goers who enjoyed an evening filled with music, love, acceptance, and appreciation.

Chicopee Pride, June 9

The city’s third Pride Fest combined celebration, advocacy and education of the LGBTQ+ community with a lot of fun. Angie Montalvo mingled with the crowd to connect small business owners with the services of our Chamber.

Boston Pride for the People, June 10

Our team had a blast tabling (and celebrating) at the much anticipated return of Boston Pride Parade and Festival. Throngs of spectators flocked to the Common and visited our table to hear about the work of our Chamber.

Franklin County Pride, June 11

Franklin County Pride envisions a community in which all LGBTQIA+ youth, adults, and families can enjoy the freedom to live safely, openly, and genuinely, free from discrimination due to race, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Mel Ayer attended the event to ensure Pride-goers knew all about the Chamber and our work.

Celebrating Pride Month: A Discussion with Grace Moreno Moderated by Juliette Mayers (MassDevelopment Exclusive), June 13

Grace Moreno sat down with Juliette Mayers to discuss what Pride month means to the LGBTQ+ community.

WGBH Radio Interview, June 15

Isa Wang, Chamber member and founder of Gamut Pins and the Bower Studio, joined Grace Moreno as she spoke to Jim Braude and Margery Eagan on Boston Public Radio. Grace and Isa discussed the challenges of navigating the business world as an openly LGBTQ+ person. Listen to the segment here.

Holyoke PrideFest, June 17

Our Western MA team attended Holyoke PrideFest, part of a series of events celebrating the Paper City’s LGBTQIA+ community.

Buy Queer All Year Pop-Up at Acton Pride, June 17

Rain didn’t dampen spirits at Acton Pride! We hosted our third Buy Queer All Year Pop-Up at the event, showcasing local small businesses and their wares.

Coast to Coast: Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Businesses, June 21

Grace Moreno joined the Massachusetts District Office and the San Francisco District Office of the Small Business Administration to celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, speaking as a mentor and resource for small business owners.

North Shore Pride, June 24

The Chamber team was thrilled to head north and join the North Shore Pride festival!

MORENO NAMED ON SUPPLIER DIVERSITY OFFICE ADVISORY BOARD

Chamber Executive Director Grace Moreno has been appointed to the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) Diverse and Small Business Advisory Board on behalf of the Healey/Driscoll administration.

The 15-person board was created by Executive Order 599 with the purpose of strengthening the Commonwealth’s commitment to equity in the state’s contracting process. Once fully established, the board’s mission will be to guide and advise the SDO to provide greater opportunities, remove barriers, and provide equity of opportunity for diverse and small businesses in Massachusetts.

Members of this board reflect the diversity of the Commonwealth and include business owners and organizational leaders that reflect those served by the SDO, including small business owners, minorities, women, veterans, those with a disability, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Congratulations on this honor, Grace!

NEW PARTNERSHIPS

Our Chamber is thrilled to announce a new set of corporate partners:

M&T BANK

As part of a commitment to their workforce, M&T Bank supports a variety of employee resource groups, including the Massachusetts Pride Chapter — the first official ERG in their New England market. M&T Bank is proud of employee-driven efforts that bring awareness to issues impacting their employees, customers, and communities, and they are thrilled to join the Massachusetts LBGT Chamber of Commerce as a corporate partner!

CAMBRIDGE TRUST

Cambridge Trust Company is a 133-year-old Massachusetts chartered commercial bank with approximately $5.5 billion in assets and a total of 22 Massachusetts and New Hampshire locations. They are one of New England’s leaders in private banking and wealth management with $4.3 billion in client assets under management and administration.

UMASS FIVE

UMassFive College Federal Credit Union (UMassFive) was established in 1967 and serves the University of Massachusetts, as well as the Five College System and over 50 other local organizations that share their community-based values and vision for a sustainable local economy.

“This partnership is a natural fit for UMassFive,” stated Lauren Duffy, UMassFive’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “The Credit Union has always been committed to putting the best interests of our members and local businesses first, and one of the ways to do that is by assuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are in the fabric of our organizational culture. Joining forces with the MA LGBT Chamber allows us to further this mission."

Our Chamber is incredibly grateful and proud of these newfound partnerships, and look forward to our work together!

MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS

FLEUR-TATIOUS FLORAL DESIGN

Not Your Typical Florist

Fleur-tatious Floral Design is an independently-owned and operated florist offering artistic floral arrangements and event planning services in and around Boston and the South Shore of Massachusetts.

Our Chamber is immensely grateful to owner Christian Young for providing last-minute floral arrangements for our Power Grid conference — they were absolutely stunning! Thank you, Fleur-tatious Floral Design!

For more information visit fleurtatiousfloral.com or reach out to Christian Young directly at 508-697-1555.

SANDRA COSTELLO PHOTOGRAPHY

Portrait & Lifestyle Photography

Sandra Costello discovered early in her career that when people feel safe and relaxed, they radiate beauty. Serving professionals and families in Boston, Cape Cod, and all of New England, Sandra quickly puts her clients at ease so they can naturally be themselves and look their best.

Being photographed is one brave moment that leads to other brave moments — visit sandralovesyou.com for more information and to book a discovery call with Sandra Costello!

DR. GWEN BASS CONSULTING

Training For Parents, Educators & Foster Care Agencies

Dr. Gwen Bass Consulting, LLC provides education and training to help nonprofits, educators, government agencies, and caregivers foster positive outcomes for young people — especially those with disabilities and learning differences, LGBTQ+ youth and families, and youth in foster care and unique family situations.

Dr. Gwen Bass is a teacher, advocate, parent mentor, researcher, and collaborative consultant. With a decade of experience each in K–12 classroom teaching and teacher education, plus years of research and program development, she supports kids and adults whose needs and voices aren’t honored by conventional systems.

Gwen is also the author of Immaculate Misconception: A Story of Biology and Belonging.

Visit drgwenbass.com for more information or connect with Gwen directly at drgwenbass@gmail.com.

Certified LGBTBE®