DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa's first LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce launched on Wednesday, and this organization has goals of bringing together LGBTQ business owners, allies and entrepreneurs.
After five years in the making, the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce has officially launched as a "first of its kind" organization.
"You know, as LGBTQ business owners might have really specific situations or problems that they really need peers and colleagues to be able to talk to and be mentored, or add their own values and contributions. So, being able to create this chamber for the state of Iowa is really exciting," said Dan Jansen, board director for the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce.
The organization has four pillars to bring together LGBTQ businesses: building community connections, economic development, career development and training.
"I think it's special because LGBTQ is kind of a hidden diversity status, so I think the visibility of the chamber and other professionals is fantastic," chamber secretary Chad Johnston said.
Des Moines was the organization's launch pad, but they have goals to expand throughout the entire state.
"I think it's really important for the state of Iowa to be a welcoming state. We are really scrapping for every person we can find for our workforce right now, and most of Iowa's employers would tell you that they need more people here. An important part of having more people here is making sure that every kind of person feels welcome here," said Iowa state auditor Rob Sand.
A main thing that drives the organization is community support.
"Well, as a gay business owner, I think it's really important that we all network and we get to know each other and we support each other, so it seemed like a no-brainer to open our doors and host our community," said Chris Diebel, who is a founding partner of Bubba Southern Comfort, the restaurant that hosted the chamber on Wednesday.
The organization's next steps are to speak all across the Des Moines metro, with goals of ultimately leaving an impact on the entire state.
The organization's next launch will be Dec. 7 in Iowa City.