Welcome!

Dear LGBT and LGBT Supportive Business, Nonprofit and Community Leaders:

Creating connections to strengthen community is what GSBA is all about, which is why we are delighted to be the Presenting Partner in the 1st Annual It's About Life Expo this coming June, 2008. In fact the very reason the founding members of GSBA give for why they began a gay business chamber in 1981 was for visibility so that our community could identify and support other gay owned businesses, creating an economic power base and the legitimacy with which to confront what was at that time rampant discrimination. Now 26 years later, our community has broadened its identity to include lesbian, bisexual and transgender-owned businesses as well as nonprofits, public agencies and LGBT supportive allies. Suddenly we are not just a minority population, but a $690 billion dollar market. Everyone wants a piece of that pink dollar, whatever that actually means. However, if we are to stay true to our commitment to use our economic positioning to break down barriers of discrimination, we have more responsibility than ever to continue to work for a more inclusive world. Let's continue to support our LGBT and Allied businesses because keeping them strong, ensures a seat at the decision making table. Let's continue to donate our resources of time and dollars to our nonprofits and support the next generation of leaders by supporting LGBT Scholarship Programs. And, before doing business with a corporate partner, let's ask about their corporate culture and whether their LGBT employees have domestic partnership benefits and are protected by anti-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender expression.

What a great way to celebrate pride month by showcasing our talents, businesses, achievements and strength as a community. I look forward to an entire weekend of making connections and renewing our commitment to work together, support each other, take pride in our successes and recommit to continue to work for equality for all. Oh, and I do expect to have a little fun, after all this Expo is a Gay Expo. See you in June at the It's About Life Expo.

For equality and success in business and in our community,

Louise Chernin
GSBA Executive Director

Letter from Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau:

Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau would like to welcome its out-of-town visitors and show its support for the local LGBT community at the inaugural "It's About Life" gay expo in Seattle. We are excited about the first-ever, gay lifestyle expo held in Seattle and we encourage you to join the GSBA and Trend Productions in promoting events that foster diversity in our community.

This is the perfect opportunity to visit Seattle and tie your visit in with an event that is shaping up to be spectacular. The event will host nationally renowned gay and lesbian performers and speakers as well as kick off gay pride week and the gay pride parade. This is one event you won't want to miss!

Seattle is one of the most diverse cities in the United States and we are proud to play a role in maintaining that uniqueness. We are available with information to help make your stay in Seattle memorable. Online information for visitors to Seattle is available at www.visitseattle.org. The Seattle Super Saver program offers some of the city's best value on more than 90 hotels ranging from boutique inns to luxury hotels. There are no booking or hidden fees, no pre-payments and no cancellation fees (up to 24 hours prior to check-in); Book your room at www.seattlesupersaver.com or call (800) 535-7071 (from inside the U.S. and Canada). Phone reservationists personally inspect each property and can advise of hotel features and location, as well as make bookings.

Our city welcomes one and al - we encourage you to come for the expo and stay for our rare combination of attractions, including a thriving, sophisticated city center that is surrounded by pristine wilderness and abundant outdoor recreation. Seattle is metronatural: whether your interests lean toward the metropolitan, the natural or both, Seattle proudly welcomes you.

Don Welsh, President & CEO
Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau

To our local and out of town LGBT communities…Welcome!

It is with great pleasure and anticipation that we join with the other organizations here in welcoming you to the first ever LGBT Expo to grace beautiful Seattle, Washington. This event promises to be exciting, rewarding, and enlightening.

When I joined 'The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan' eight years ago, I was hoping to be able to help our community break down barriers and walls dividing us internally and create events and fundraisers that would include the ENTIRE community. This Expo embodies that dream by bringing together not only vendors willing to sell you fantastic things, but also by offering space to organizations that support and provide education for the LGBT community every day. Not to mention the internationally renowned entertainment that is lined up for you. I mean, Sandra Bernhard, how much better could it get?

The organizers at Trend Productions LLC have you in mind. They have given this event a great deal of thought and careful planning to make this event fun, with something for everyone in the LGBT community.

I hope you will join me and my Sisters at the "It's about Life Expo" this coming June ‘08. What a great way to kick off Seattle Pride!

With love and equality for all,

Sister Dawnna Creation
Sub-Prioress (Vice President)
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,
The Abbey of St. Joan
Seattle, WA, USA
www.theabbey.org