Miles Gorman of Morristown High School speaks at LGBTQ+ housing symposium. And State Certifications of LGBTQIA+-owned businesses.
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Miles Gorman, a Morristown High School student and vocal advocate of the transgender community, appeared on a Q&A panel titled “Supporting those who lead by example in serving the underserved” at the LGBTQ+ Housing Policy Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.
“The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance Housing Symposium brings together real estate and housing industry professionals from across North America to discuss and learn about policy items currently impacting the LGBTQ+ community and the industry. Experts from the Federal Government, State, and local levels are traditionally invited and represented, as are other influential authorities like the National Association of Realtors, Human Rights Campaign, Victory Fund, and many more. This symposium not only acts as a conduit to inform, but also to share ideas, thought leadership, and learn from each other.” – LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance Housing Symposium
More about Miles coming soon!
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In other news...
Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 295 instructing the New Jersey Department of Treasury to establish a State-backed certification program for LGBTQIA+-owned businesses.
According to the Office of the Governor, certification, which will be free of charge, would "expand access to public and private contracting opportunities and enable businesses to proudly identify as LGBTQIA+-owned in their advertising."
“Enabling the certification of businesses as LGBTQ+-owned will encourage the success of these enterprises by enhancing their visibility, providing them with an extra layer of authenticity in their business ventures, and demonstrating that they are welcome and vital participants in our economy,” said Governor Murphy.
The State already has certification programs in place for small, and minority-owned businesses. However, last year the Treasury Department began waiving the $100 fee for certification.
“This Executive Order will make it easier for companies to identify which businesses are owned by the LGBTQ+ community and help ensure diversity in contracting,” – Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality
Under the executive order, businesses that are majority-owned and operated by one or more individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community can become "certified" for free as an LGBTQ+-owned businesses.
Certification equates to State-backed documentation of a business's status and ownership, which, according the Office of the Governor "can be beneficial in pursuing contracting opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as in the private sector."
"LGBT entrepreneurs are statistically likely to encounter a number of socioeconomic hurdles when starting their own business. Thanks to Governor Murphy's leadership, LGBT-owned businesses in New Jersey will now be included in the state's economic development initiatives, helping ensure more equitable access to bids and contracts that could completely change the trajectory of their companies." – New Jersey Pride Chamber of Commerce President Stephen Blazejewski.
“Including LGBT-owned businesses in Treasury’s Uniform Certification System, currently used by SMWBE businesses, will allow more equitable participation for these businesses in the state's economic initiatives and hopefully attract new LGBT businesses to relocate to New Jersey.” – Augusto Penaranda, Executive Director of the NJ Pride Chamber of Commerce.
Click here for a copy of Executive Order No. 295.
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