Founded
2017
Mission
We provide support to the Montgomery County business community through education, training, professional development, policy advocacy and adaptation to ensure that workplace environments are welcoming and inclusive regardless of sexual orientations and gender identities.
What They Do
- Business Membership
- Promote LGBT and LGBT Ally owned businesses in Montco
- Support regional, national, and global networks of the LGBT community
- Spread the benefits of inclusive and equal workplaces and how to adopt policy and culture shifts needed to attract, welcome, and support LGBT professionals and customers.
- Being the leading voice in Montgomery County for the LGBT community
How To Find Them
1776 at Ambler Yards
Building 4, Suite 125
300 Brookside Ave
Ambler, PA 19002
In Montgomery County, change is in the air. The Montgomery County LGBT Business Council is making waves as an inspirational voice in the area.
“We act as a gateway for LGBT folks to connect with businesses and organizations who actually support them,” Melissa Buckminster, the current president, states.
Since its conception in 2017, the Montgomery County LGBT Business Council has grown to include 90 business members including wedding photographers, religious institutions, restaurants, non-profits, and more.
Each business/organization member is required to sign a pledge in support of LGBT community. This includes inclusive hiring practises, being inclusive in who they are selling too, and supporting the LGBT community in every capacity.
“We are here representing the people. We are all about furthering LGBTQ visibility and progress,” Buckminster states.
Throughout the year, the organization hosts many events to educate and support the LGBTQA+ community.
A key program they host are Cultural Competency Training workshops supported by Todd Snovel, the Commission Director of the Pennsylvania’s LGBT Commission. These discussions are open to business members and the general public (5$) to ask questions, interact with folks on the LGBT spectrum, and learn the best ways to be respectful in the community. The next Cultural Competency Training workshop is September 25th at 1776 at Ambler Yards, free for business members and $40 for nonmembers.
On September 17th, they are hosting a Business Card Exchange and LinkedIn Information Session at the Microsoft store in the King of Prussia Mall. Next month at the Montgomery County Community College, they will be hosting a The Long Road to Equality Traveling Exhibit, chronicling the history of LGBTQA+ efforts.
One of the recent accomplishments was raising the pride flag at the Montgomery County Courthouse this past June.
”It’s significant. It might not seem like a big deal to a lot of folks, but the flag is saying that we are welcoming and we value the LGBT community,” Buckminster states.
They also supported Drag Queen children’s story time at the Lansdale Public Library this past February. Despite the protests against the event, Rise Up Doylestown, The Montgomery County LGBT Business Council, and SAGA Community Center banded hundreds together to create a “Wall of Love” in support of the Drag Queens.
Through their many events and advocacy work, the Montgomery LGBT Business Council is a booming voice for a more inclusive community.
“We are working to make the community more accepting, one business at a time,” Buckminster states.
