The Policy and Advocacy Committee actively collaborates with the Small Business Network (SBN), the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the San Francisco Office of Small Business, the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro (MUMC), the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to advocate for the needs and interests of the Bay Area LGBT business community.
Beyond that, the GGBA advances key issues concerning the overall LGBT community as well as issues affecting businesses. The GGBA engages and activates its members when their interests are challenged through its blog, website, newsletters, press releases or by partnering with other organizations championing the issue.
History
In 2004, The Tourism Advisory Program (TAP) evolved from a charter of the GGBA to increase the visibility of San Francisco to the LGBT tourism market. Working with the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), the San Francisco Pride Celebration Committee, the San Francisco LGBT Center and Community Marketing, TAP proved to be an excellent opportunity for GGBA’s Hospitality Members to reach the LGBT market on a national and international platform. TAP was disbanded in 2009 after the group successfully lobbied for the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau to start a LGBT tourism initiative that continues today.