If you are a lesbian or gay professional or business person, you probably realise there is a need for a gay and lesbian business group. The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Business Association Inc. - SGLBA - aims to fill that need.
The Association was founded in 1981 as the Gay Business Association. In 1994, to reflect its broadening membership base, the Association changed its name to Sydney Gay & Lesbian Business Association Inc. In 1998 the SGLBA adopted new Articles of Association and created a board of directors.
These evenings provide a relaxed atmosphere for members and their guests to socialise and network. Dozens of new members first experienced the SGLBA at these fun nights.
Throughout the year we host a variety of events, all focused on promoting member businesses, networking, education and fundraising for the Good Works Fund. These events include:
SGLBA contributes to our community through its Good Works Program and donates thousands of dollars to community causes each year. Recent recipients have included the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, PFLAG, the AIDS Trust of Australia, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service and 2010.
In 1998, the Association established Australia's first scholarship for a lesbian or gay business student in conjunction with the UNSW.
The Association has embarked on a number of projects to showcase the talents and the diverse business interests of our members. SGLBA has in past years hosted an annual Gay and Lesbian Expo, the first such event of its kind held in Australia. Since 1997, the Association has published an annual Business Directory, which is now incorporated into the Pink Directory. We also initiated and participate in the www.gaybusiness.com.au project. These projects reach thousands of gay and lesbian consumers.
Our ABN: 30 660 775 528
president and public relations:
Paul Lee-Maynard
president@sglba.com.au
vice-president: Mark Haines
vicepresident@sglba.com.au
treasurer: Bill Wang
accounts@sglba.com.au
secretary: Alister Wong
info@sglba.com.au
membership: Dr. Cody Hanish
members@sglba.com.au
corporate partnerships: Ricky Jackson
partnerships@sglba.com.au
fruits in suits: Mark Haines
fruits@sglba.com.au
business networking: Vanessa Wenham
longtable@sglba.com.au
lemons with a twist: Vanessa Wenham
lemons@sglba.com.au
major events: James Forbes
events@sglba.com.au
media and communications: Amanda Keeling
thebuzz@sglba.com.au
website: Peter Venero
webmaster@sglba.com.au
The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Business Association (SGLBA) is an organisation formed to provide opportunities for gay men and lesbians to develop their business interests and networks both within corporate environments and as individual business persons. We strive to do this by:
Currently, the SGLBA has over 400 members. Our membership base includes gay and lesbian managers, business executives and professionals working in mainstream organisations. It also includes lesbians and gay members who own or manage businesses serving both our own and the wider community. We also welcome heterosexual members who support the gay and lesbian business community.