LGBT Chamber of Commerce Illinois

In 1995, Tracy Baim of Lambda Publications and Kevin Boyer of Communications Management, Inc. saw a need for a local chamber of commerce dedicated to gay and lesbian owned businesses. Joined by three other business owners, they launched the Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Their goal was to have 30 Members by the first organizational meeting in March 1996. By the time that meeting was called to order, the Chamber had grown to include more than 80 businesses.

Today the Chamber serves a roster of over 400 Members, a number that increases almost daily. These members are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) business owners, as well as gay-supportive businesses. Together they employ over 2,000 people in the Chicago area, with gross revenues that exceed $200 million. Since gay and lesbian tourism brings an estimated $300 million a year to Chicago, it’s no surprise that the city has discovered the viability of supporting the LGBT community.