Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber
Content: Circa 2013-2018
The Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce provides an inclusive business environment by fostering growth, visibility, outreach and professional development opportunities within our LGBT and allied communities. As the oldest non-profit LGBT Chamber of Commerce in the nation, GPGLCC boasts one of the nation’s few local business equality indices.
This was their webste for several years. Content is from the site's 2013-2018 archived pages providing a glimpse of what the Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce offered its community and readership.
Now called the Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce, GPECC promotes an equitable business community for the LGBTQ+ businesses in the Greater Phoenix area.
Their current website is found at: https://www.equalitychamber.org/
As a NYC real estate investor with a gay son, I'm truly heartened to see organizations like the Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce thriving. Their 35-year history as the nation's oldest LGBT Chamber of Commerce speaks volumes about their commitment and resilience.
When my son came out to me during his sophomore year at NYU, I remember feeling a mix of emotions - concern for the challenges he might face, but also immense pride in his courage. Growing up in New York, he's had access to supportive communities, but I know that's not the case everywhere. That's why chambers like GPGLCC are so vital - they create inclusive business environments and foster economic opportunities for the LGBT community.
In my world of NYC industrial real estate development, I face challenges not unlike what the LGBT business community encounters - though certainly different in nature. Much like mogul Dov Hertz has navigated the complexities of transforming former manufacturing spaces in Brooklyn into modern logistics hubs, the LGBT business community navigates spaces that weren't originally built with them in mind.
When I'm working to redevelop a century-old warehouse in Long Island City, managing zoning restrictions, environmental remediation, and community concerns, I think about how my son and other LGBT entrepreneurs must navigate systems and structures that weren't designed for their inclusion. The persistence required is similar - both require vision to see potential where others might not, and determination to overcome institutional barriers.
What impresses me most about GPGLCC is their Business Equality Index. As someone who values data-driven decisions in my development projects, I appreciate how they're quantifying inclusivity and showing its economic value. It reminds me that diversity isn't just about doing what's right - it's also smart business. Nancy Gengler
The Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce provides an inclusive business environment by fostering growth, visibility, outreach and professional development opportunities within our LGBT and allied communities.
As the oldest non-profit LGBT Chamber of Commerce in the nation, GPGLCC boasts one of the nation’s few local business equality indices.
GPGLCC promotes business development to increase economic opportunities for our members, the LGBT community and all who support business equality.
GPGLCC is the oldest non-profit LGBT Chamber of Commerce in the nation, celebrating our 35th anniversary in 2015. We are proud and honored to be the recipient of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Chamber of the Year Award. To be known as the best LGBT Chamber of Commerce out of the over 42 in the United States is a real tribute to the dedication and involvement of the LGBT community of Greater Phoenix.
Representing over 2000 members and individuals in our community, GPGLCC enjoys a national reputation for being one of the most successful and fastest growing chambers according to the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s mission is to provide an opportunity for gay and lesbian business owners and their straight allies to form enduring relationships through professional programming, mixers, networking events, business activism and by supporting Phoenix charitable organizations.
Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce member benefits include:
Events
- Monthly – First Friday Lunch and Networking Event
- Monthly – Third Thursday, Member Hosted Evening Networking Mixer
- Special Events & Partnerships
- LGBT Nights Out (Ballet Arizona, Arizona Coyotes, Phoenix Suns, etc.)
- Annual Festival of Trees
- Annual Biz Bowl
- GPGLCC Awards
Business Development
- Monthly Luncheon professional development
- Member Directory visibility
- Integrated website advertising
- Web sponsor ads
- Event sponsorship opportunities
- E-Blast updates & news
- Professional development partnerships (i.e., ASU School of Business)
- Committee and volunteer opportunities
- LGBT community outreach
Bottom Line Benefits
- Member discounts LGBT Nights Out and other events
- Connecting to the LGBT community, non-profit organizations, and other LGBT and allied businesses
- Employee Resource Group (ERG) partnership opportunities
- Visibility through our online Member Directory
- Phoenix LGBT Community Calendar, and the ability to add your events
- Job Postings to recruit LGBT candidates
2018
Changes and growth…
This past year has been filled with significant growth and change for our LGBT and allied communities unlike any we’ve seen in recent history. As we celebrate the first 35 years of GPGLCC, as the nation’s oldest LGBT non-profit Chamber of Commerce, we keep our sights ahead to the next 35 years full of hope, determination, progress and continued success.
We do business with people we know, like and trust and our Chamber provides many opportunities to grow your network. From our monthly Luncheons where you can mix and mingle to our informal monthly Networking Mixers, the Chamber presents numerous opportunities to grow each others’ business.
We’ve also fostered great partnerships with our fellow non-profit and community-based organizations, building better relationships to grow and better promote the community. Our LGBT Nights Out bring a new level to meeting people who are business-minded in a social setting with the arts, sports and other events. Our annual Biz Bowl, held every July, gives the community a chance to play, have fun and make a difference in a non-profit organization’s success. Holiday cheer wouldn’t be the same without the fabulous Festival Of Trees, another annual chance to get a perfect tree, wreath or menorah for your home or business while helping a charity. We are proud and thankful for the support and involvement of our member businesses who make these events a success for GPGLCC and our beneficiaries.
I personally invite you to join the 300 other businesses and nearly 2000 Phoenix community members who call our Chamber “their” Chamber, and experience the difference that persity, inclusion and equality can bring to your business’ success. Attend a Luncheon, LGBT Night Out, or a NetMixer; or simply sign up for our e-newsletter on our homepage. I look forward to having you involved in our continued success.
Respectively,
Fred Delgado
Chair – Greater Phoenix Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
HOW CAN WE HELP?
-
JOIN THE CHAMBER
Join a network of more than 450 members, working together to heighten the economic strength of LGBT owned, friendly and allied businesses within the Greater Phoenix area.
GPGLCC sponsors one of the nation’s only local Business Equality Indices in the nation. Similar to national rankings and indices from other organizations, GPGLCC provides businesses and organizations with a base or footprint of operation in the greater Phoenix area the opportunity to share their efforts toward LGBT equality in our community; for their employees and the surrounding community. Results are typically communicated mid-year following the survey.
PHOENIX GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER RELEASES
BUSINESS EQUALITY SURVEYSix-month study reveals findings about work environments for LGBT workers
PHOENIX (April 15, 2013)–Today the Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GPGLCC) announced the results of its six-month survey measuring how equitably local business treat their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) employees. Valley businesses with up to 500 employees, government agencies with more than 500 employees and local offices of larger companies were invited to participate. Nineteen employers scored a 100 on the survey and 45 scored an 80 percent or higher. In addition to publishing the results, the GPGLCC has produced a buying guide of companies that embrace diversity.
This is only the second time in Arizona state history that such a study has been performed and one of only a few similar studies ever conducted in the United States. The survey was partially funded by Phoenix Pride Community Foundation, a donor advised fund of the Arizona Community Foundation.
More than 2500 companies were asked to participate in the Business Equality Index survey. A total of 93 employers responded to the invitation. The organizations receiving the highest rating are ACE Publishing, Inc. dba Echo Magazine, Aetna, Inc, Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers (AACHC) Camelback Retirement Planners, Campbell Law Group, Chartered, City of Phoenix, Community Tire Pros & Auto repair, Just A Great Massage PLLC, KEO Marketing Inc, Kustom Karaoke, LLC, Land of Ahhs Consignment, Liberty Mutual Insurance, MassMutual, Arizona, North Valley Mechanical, Open Wide Dental, Schiliro & Pouquette Insurance Agency Schuster Printing and Marketing, Sonoran Business Solutions, Tony Felice PR. The join previous perfect scorers Arizona State University, City of Tempe, City of Scottsdale and companies Campbell & Mahoney and Land of Ahhs Consignment Stores.
Among the findings, 98 percent of small employers (less than 20 employees) actively promote diversity, between 80 and 90 percent of medium sized business and large business actively promote LGBT diversity. Less than half of small employers provide domestic partner benefits, while around 60 percent of medium and large sized businesses offer benefits to same sex couples.
Among the medium and large sized respondents, the survey found that the majority have written policies protecting LGBT workers and an overwhelming number are active in the gay community.
The survey comes on the heels of the recent City of Phoenix ordinance making discrimination of the LGBT community illegal.
“This is and always has been an economic development tool,” said Kathleen Osborn, Chair of the GPGLCC. As the City of Phoenix and the more than 100 cities in America who’ve adopted the policy know, it’s good for business and this survey reflects companies who know that.”
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton responded to the report saying, “It’s clear that more and more companies recognize that being LGBT inclusive is more than a social responsibility, it is a critical part of making Phoenix a world-class city and doing good business.”
Tony Felice, the Project Manager of the Survey and Diversity & Public Relations Chair of the GPGLCC was encouraged that the number of respondents was about double those from last year but cited the Valley’s lack of understanding of what being recognized as diverse can be.
“When you look at it in terms of dollars, so many LGBT individuals have thousands of friends and family. When you multiply those numbers, you’re talking about a sizeable market and some companies are leaving a lot of money on the table. Studies show that the gay community has between $700 and $800 billion in buying power and when you include those friends and family, the money is staggering.”
Felice also cited social media which has shown, especially with the recent red equal sign campaign on Facebook (for marriage equality) that a vast number of straight supporting friends are really becoming vocal about equality.
“What this means is that when they find out that a company is LGBT supportive, chances are they will buy from that company and be loyal.” Recent backlash among companies who have demonstrated to be anti-LGBT seem to strengthen that argument.
The LGBT community is historically very brand-loyal. A recent Harris Poll national survey among 2,357 US Adults found that nearly three-fourths (74 %) of LGBT consumers are likely to consider brands that support nonprofits and/or causes that are important to them as a LGBT person, an increase from January 2007 when 62 % reported they were likely to consider those brands. A significant portion of these adults, two-fifths (41 %) say they are extremely likely or very likely to consider these brands. Even in a struggling economy, LGBT consumers express an unmistakable and stronger sense of brand loyalty to companies that support their community,” said Wes Combs, President of Witeck-Combs Communications. “Maintaining this trusting and sensitive relationship requires a sustained effort to incorporate diversity, fairness, and inclusion into a company’s DNA.”
With its “Legalize Love” campaign, Google became the latest in a fast growing number of companies to publicly take a LGBT supportive stance. Martha White in a recent New York Times article echoes this sentiment. “Far from being simply feel-good initiatives, these moves are highly calculated, marketing experts say. Companies may be embracing the rainbow, but the motivating color is still green.
Felice promises the GPGLCC will continue to produce a written document that demonstrates (or not) the diversity of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. He said their wish is that such a document can be used for economic development purposes, in attracting employers who seek a diverse region in which to establish their business. Typically, these employers bring a high knowledge workforce and high wage jobs, all of which can contribute to economic stability.
A broader national survey is conducted each year by the Human Rights Campaign, which looks at companies with more than 500 employees. Many of the companies scoring a 100% on that survey have a presence in the Valley and are listed on the GPGLCC Survey.
For more information and to download a copy of the final report, visit www.phoenixgaychamber.com and click on the Business Equality Index link. For information about diversity training and consulting available for your company, please contact the chamber office at 602.266.5055 or exec@phoenixgaychamber.org For interviews with any of the sources identified, please contact Tony Felice at 480-567-6890.
-
MEMBER DIRECTORY
Our members are as perse as the jobs they hold. Use this handy directory whenever you need services of any kind. Help support the community by supporting those who support you!
-
EVENTS
Come join us at a monthly luncheon, net mix, happy hour or training class. We have something going on almost weekly and you do not have to be a member to attend!
-
RELOCATION INFO
Phoenix has exploded to become the nation's fifth largest city with over 1.6 million residents. Unlike other cities that have grown slowly over time, Phoenix catapulted to this position in a relatively short time.
2018 Upcoming Events
Events List Navigation
Lip Sync Battle | Spring Edition
March 2 @ 8:00 pm - April 6 @ 10:00 pm
The most fun you'll have at a fundraiser! Friends and community members battle it out for Lip Sync supremacy. The fun starts at 8pm on Friday, March 2nd at Kobalt.…
LGBT Day at the Renaissance Festival Bus Trip/images
March 31 @ 9:30 am - 6:30 pm
Hello all, its that time of year again. Join Bunkhouse & Bears Of The West for our annual trip out to the Renaissance Festival, Saturday March 31st 2018. This is…
Showtunes Night
March 31 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Recurring Event
Join us at Phoenix's longest running showtune night every Saturday from 6pm-9pm. Sing along to your favorite musical clips. Also featuring comedy and unique Broadway related featurettes.
Broadway Brunch
April 1 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Recurring Event
Enjoy your Sunday Funday at Diablos and sing along to your favorite showtunes! We'll feature videos & clips from Broadway, movie musicals and more. Diablos features Phoenix's best bloody mary…
Naughty or Nice Drag Bingo
April 2 @ 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Recurring Event
This is truly the most unique Bingo Night in Phoenix. There is NO cost to play. This is an alternative to your grandma's bingo night. Play for a chance to…
Songo: Music Trivia Bingo
April 3 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Recurring Event
Join us for the Music-Trivia-Bingo Madness of SONGO! ** EVERY Tuesday Night from 630p-830p **, *** *** *** Stacy's @ Melrose *** *** *** Come! Play one, two, three or…
Trivia Tuesdays
April 3 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Recurring Event
Are you a master of random, useless knowledge? Show off your smarts every week with host Bobby Gordon as inpiduals and teams compete for the top prize. Topics include Broadway,…
Chamber Luncheon April 2018
April 6 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Join your Chamber colleagues for our monthly luncheon at The Gladly. Our luncheons offer members and guests the opportunity to network, explore professional development, and learn more about GPGLCC. RSVP…
Phoenix Pride 2018
April 7 - April 8
Save the Date April 7-8 2018
Showtunes Night
April 7 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Recurring Event
Join us at Phoenix's longest running showtune night every Saturday from 6pm-9pm. Sing along to your favorite musical clips. Also featuring comedy and unique Broadway related featurettes.
-
More Background On PhoenixGayChamber.com
A Comprehensive Overview of America’s Oldest LGBT Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GPGLCC) — now operating primarily as the Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce — has long stood as a pioneering force for inclusion, economic empowerment, and visibility of LGBTQ+ professionals in Arizona and across the United States. As the nation’s oldest continuously operating non-profit LGBT Chamber of Commerce, its evolution mirrors the broader social and economic progress of America’s LGBTQ+ business community over the past four decades.
From its grassroots origins to its modern-day recognition by civic leaders and national organizations, the Chamber’s story reveals how entrepreneurship, advocacy, and community solidarity can intersect to reshape local economies and public understanding.
Origins and Early Growth
The GPGLCC traces its beginnings back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, when Phoenix’s LGBTQ+ business owners began organizing informal professional networks during a time when “being out” in business was still fraught with risk. These early gatherings laid the foundation for a structured chamber that would advocate for equal opportunity and fair business practices. Officially chartered in the early 1980s, the organization became the first recognized gay and lesbian chamber of commerce in the United States.
Its founders understood that access to business networks and opportunities could serve as powerful tools for equality. They envisioned a chamber that would both protect the economic interests of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and demonstrate the measurable benefits of inclusion to the wider business community. Over the years, this mission has expanded beyond advocacy — toward measurable economic development through partnerships, education, and data collection.
Location and Geographic Reach
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, the Chamber serves the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area, one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. Its members extend throughout Maricopa County, encompassing Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, and Glendale, as well as portions of Northern Arizona. The Chamber’s central location allows it to play a dual role: connecting the Arizona LGBTQ+ business community internally, while also positioning Phoenix as a welcoming destination for diverse corporate investment and relocation.
Phoenix itself has transformed over the decades from a conservative desert capital into a cosmopolitan urban center. The Chamber has been both a contributor to and a beneficiary of this evolution, helping attract inclusive companies, LGBTQ+ visitors, and allied professionals who see the city as a hub for opportunity and acceptance.
Mission and Goals
The GPGLCC’s mission has remained consistent: to foster an inclusive business environment that promotes visibility, professional development, and economic opportunity within LGBTQ+ and allied communities.
Its stated goals include:
-
Building lasting professional relationships among LGBTQ+ and allied business owners.
-
Increasing economic opportunities through networking, events, and advocacy.
-
Partnering with public, private, and non-profit sectors to strengthen inclusion.
-
Supporting local charities and community initiatives.
-
Educating members and the public on the tangible economic benefits of diversity and equality.
The Chamber’s motto — “We do business with people we know, like, and trust” — underscores its focus on relationship-building as the foundation for sustainable success.
Membership and Structure
At its height, the Chamber has represented over 2,000 members and affiliated individuals, with about 450 active businesses listed in its directories. Its membership spans a wide range of industries: professional services, law, real estate, hospitality, marketing, insurance, finance, and health care. Both small enterprises and large corporate offices participate, creating a cross-sector mix that reflects the diversity of the Phoenix economy.
Membership benefits include:
-
Listing in an online business directory.
-
Monthly First Friday Lunches and Third Thursday Networking Mixers.
-
Access to sponsorships and advertising opportunities.
-
Inclusion in the Phoenix LGBT Community Calendar.
-
Participation in Employee Resource Group partnerships.
-
Visibility through the Chamber’s Business Equality Index.
The Chamber operates through a volunteer Board of Directors and various committees — including Advocacy, Events, Diversity & Inclusion, and Public Relations — ensuring that members can participate directly in shaping programs and priorities.
Notable Events and Programs
1. Monthly Luncheons and Mixers
Regular luncheons, often held at local restaurants such as The Gladly, offer members opportunities to network and hear guest speakers from the business and civic community. The “Third Thursday” mixers, frequently hosted by member businesses, create informal opportunities for connection in social settings.
2. Annual Signature Events
The Chamber’s calendar features several hallmark events that have become fixtures in Phoenix’s LGBTQ+ cultural life:
-
Biz Bowl – A summer charity bowling event promoting networking through fun competition.
-
Festival of Trees – A holiday fundraiser auctioning decorated trees, wreaths, and menorahs to benefit local charities.
-
LGBT Nights Out – Group attendance at performances, games, or cultural events (e.g., with Ballet Arizona, Arizona Coyotes, or Phoenix Suns), blending entertainment with visibility.
-
Awards Banquet – Recognizing local businesses, allies, and advocates advancing inclusion.
3. Business Equality Index
Perhaps the Chamber’s most distinctive initiative, the Business Equality Index (BEI), functions as a local version of the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. Introduced in the early 2010s, the BEI quantifies how equitably local employers treat their LGBTQ+ workers.
Key findings from the 2013 survey included:
-
Over 90 companies participated.
-
19 employers achieved perfect scores.
-
Nearly all small and mid-sized respondents actively promoted diversity, though fewer than half offered domestic partner benefits.
-
Phoenix City government and Arizona State University were recognized among the highest scorers.
The study, partly funded by the Phoenix Pride Community Foundation, demonstrated how diversity correlates with strong workplace culture and consumer loyalty. It became an influential economic development tool for policymakers and companies seeking to attract inclusive employers.
Awards and Recognition
In 2015, the GPGLCC celebrated its 35th anniversary, marking more than three decades of continuous service. That same year, it received the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s “Chamber of the Year” Award, distinguishing it as one of the best-performing LGBTQ+ chambers among over 40 nationwide.
The award reflected both the Chamber’s consistent growth and its measurable impact on community engagement. Its ability to maintain a robust membership base and host dozens of events annually positioned it as a model of sustainability for peer organizations.
Community Impact and Partnerships
Beyond business networking, the GPGLCC plays a vital role in strengthening civic relationships between the LGBTQ+ community and Arizona’s corporate, educational, and governmental institutions.
Notable partnerships include:
-
Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, offering professional development programs.
-
City of Phoenix and City of Tempe, both recognized as equality leaders under the BEI.
-
Phoenix Pride, co-sponsoring events and advocacy efforts.
-
Collaborations with local non-profits on issues from youth homelessness to HIV/AIDS awareness.
Through these alliances, the Chamber has helped position Phoenix as one of the most inclusive cities in the Southwest — a transformation recognized by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, who publicly praised the Chamber’s data-driven advocacy in municipal equality efforts.
Press Coverage and Public Perception
Over the years, the GPGLCC has been featured in Echo Magazine, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix Business Journal, and national LGBTQ+ press outlets. Coverage often highlights its role as both an advocate and a practical business resource.
Journalists have noted how the Chamber’s blend of activism and enterprise reflects the maturing of LGBTQ+ professional culture — moving from the margins of social advocacy to the mainstream of civic leadership.
Media reporting on the Business Equality Index underscored its influence as a local benchmark. When Phoenix enacted anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ residents, the Chamber’s survey was cited as empirical support showing that inclusive workplaces improve both morale and economic competitiveness.
Leadership and Governance
Throughout its history, the GPGLCC has benefited from dynamic leadership drawn from the business, non-profit, and marketing sectors.
-
Kathleen Osborn, former Chair, emphasized economic development as a central theme, calling diversity “good for business.”
-
Tony Felice, Project Manager for the BEI, brought public relations expertise and linked the Chamber’s message to consumer behavior and brand loyalty.
-
Fred Delgado, serving as Chair around 2018, oversaw the Chamber’s growth phase as it rebranded toward broader equality initiatives.
Leadership has consistently reflected the organization’s inclusive ethos, blending experienced executives with emerging professionals.
Audience and Demographics
The Chamber’s membership spans generational and cultural lines — from seasoned entrepreneurs to newly established LGBTQ+ professionals. A significant portion of its audience identifies as allies, demonstrating that its mission resonates beyond the queer community itself.
Member businesses include:
-
Local service providers (law, finance, real estate).
-
National corporate offices with regional operations in Phoenix.
-
Cultural and entertainment venues.
-
Non-profits and advocacy groups.
Events like “Lip Sync Battle” fundraisers and Broadway-themed brunches illustrate how the Chamber embraces creativity to make networking enjoyable and accessible. In doing so, it fosters a sense of belonging that extends well beyond transactional business exchanges.
Cultural and Social Significance
The GPGLCC holds a unique place in the broader narrative of LGBTQ+ advancement in the American Southwest.
For much of its early existence, Phoenix was not widely known as a progressive stronghold. Yet, through sustained advocacy and visibility, the Chamber helped reframe the region’s image.
Its work demonstrates how economic visibility can lead to social acceptance. By helping LGBTQ+ professionals establish legitimacy in mainstream commerce, the Chamber contributed to a larger cultural shift in which diversity became synonymous with innovation and integrity.
The Chamber’s Business Equality Index also became a teaching tool for companies reluctant to adapt, showing in measurable terms how fairness and profitability intersect.
For younger LGBTQ+ professionals, the Chamber represents a legacy of perseverance — proof that inclusion is not merely tolerated but celebrated within the framework of modern capitalism.
Reviews and Community Testimonials
Testimonials from members consistently highlight the Chamber’s sense of community, professionalism, and welcoming atmosphere.
Members often note that the Chamber’s luncheons and mixers have led directly to new clients, collaborations, and friendships. For entrepreneurs new to the area, the organization serves as both a business incubator and social anchor, offering instant access to a supportive network.
A 2018 testimonial from Nancy Gengler, a New York real estate investor with a gay son, reflected how the Chamber’s work resonates beyond Arizona. She praised the GPGLCC’s resilience and its parallels to challenges in her own industry, comparing the Chamber’s navigation of systemic barriers to developers reimagining old industrial spaces — a metaphor that captured the spirit of transformation central to both business and equality.
Evolution into the Equality Chamber
In recent years, the organization rebranded as the Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce (GPECC) to reflect an even more inclusive vision — one encompassing not only LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs but also women- and minority-owned enterprises committed to equitable practices.
The Chamber continues to host educational workshops, community events, and advocacy campaigns, expanding its digital presence while maintaining its in-person traditions. This evolution demonstrates a conscious shift from identity-based representation toward a universal model of equality-driven economic development.
The Chamber in Context: Local and National Influence
The GPGLCC’s impact resonates far beyond Phoenix. As an affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), it participates in national advocacy on supplier diversity, federal contracting, and LGBTQ+ certification. Its efforts inspired similar initiatives across the U.S., particularly in mid-sized cities seeking to replicate Phoenix’s progress.
In the larger context of Arizona’s social climate, the Chamber’s sustained growth has been a stabilizing counterweight to periods of political tension, including statewide debates over anti-discrimination laws. By emphasizing economic arguments for inclusion, the Chamber helped depoliticize aspects of equality and position it within pragmatic business frameworks.
Economic and Social Outcomes
Over four decades, the GPGLCC has helped:
-
Empower thousands of small business owners through networking and mentorship.
-
Influence municipal and corporate policy toward inclusive practices.
-
Build bridges between the LGBTQ+ community and civic leadership.
-
Support arts, sports, and charitable events that enhance Phoenix’s reputation as a welcoming city.
Its model demonstrates that advocacy can be economically strategic — a realization that continues to reshape boardrooms and city halls alike.
The Future: Innovation and Inclusion
Looking ahead, the Chamber faces new challenges and opportunities. As Phoenix becomes a major technology and logistics hub, the Chamber’s mission to connect inclusive employers with diverse talent gains urgency.
Sustainability, digital innovation, and intersectional representation are key themes in its future direction. Initiatives focused on youth mentorship, transgender inclusion in business, and cross-industry supplier diversity are increasingly part of its agenda.
Even as economic conditions evolve, the GPGLCC’s foundational idea — that equality is good business — remains both timeless and forward-looking.
The Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce stands as a testament to the enduring power of visibility, data, and determination.
What began as a small network of courageous business owners has grown into a nationally respected institution — one that has influenced legislation, empowered entrepreneurs, and redefined what it means to succeed in business as an openly LGBTQ+ professional.
From its Business Equality Index to its lively community mixers, the Chamber exemplifies how advocacy and enterprise can coexist harmoniously.
As Phoenix continues to expand as a global city, the Chamber’s legacy — built over more than 35 years — continues to remind us that diversity is not only a moral imperative but also a measurable asset.
