After three years of development, the LGBT Self-Identification Community of Practice has released its best practices document for voluntary self-identification of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

American businesses looking for a direct link to the valuable Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) business owner, corporation, or government stakeholder, need look no farther than the National Gay Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). The NGLCC is a business advocacy group, which is the only organization, which certifies a business as LGBT owned. In addition, the NGLCC works to foster mutually beneficial opportunities for small and large and LGBT businesses and corporations. As the umbrella organization for local and international LGBT affiliate chambers of commerce, the NGLCC is the largest LGBT business advocacy and development organization in the world.

More great LGBT news from mid-America. Memphis-based FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) - the world's largest express transportation provider which reaches even the most remote corners of the country - now prohibits discrimination against transgender employees.

As movie theaters gear up for the summer's most controversial movie, Out magazine is marking the moment by putting Austria's second most notorious export on the cover of its August issue. Strapped to a giant knife thrower's target, with a thong peeking out of his silver pants, Art Streiber's cover shot of Bruno-aka Sacha Baron Cohen-implicitly acknowledges the polarizing debate around the star's hit-and-run comedy, which opens Friday, July 10th. The August issue of Out magazine hits newsstands on July 21, 2009.

Here Media and the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC), the leading marketing and promotion organization for Holland, announced a new partnership today in creating a robust 360-degree marketing program utilizing the full suite of Here Media channels covering in-book, online, television, email, and event promotions to encourage tourism to Amsterdam. This will be the first complete, multi-platform marketing program for the newly formed Here Media. Here Media is the parent company of Out and The Advocate magazines as well premium cable television station here! Networks and several noted LGBT digital portals, including Gay.com, PlanetOut.com and OutTraveler.com.

According to a recent study conducted by Harris and Witeck-Combs Communications, while Web 2.0 usership is on the all-around rise, online gay and lesbian adults appear to use more sites more often.

Today, Americans are living longer lives and with this increase in longevity comes the need for adult day care centers. This strong trend in our population clearly validates our Adult Day Care business model.

In the real estate world, location is everything, especially when it comes to finding a truly LGBT-inclusive enclave. While it may sometimes feel like a search for the proverbial needle in a haystack, by following a few practical tips for honing in on LGBT neighborhoods the process becomes easier and more financially and personally rewarding.

Sept. 25-27, 2009 OUT for Work: 5th Annual National LGBTQA College Student Career Conference Washington, DC www.outforwork.org

October 6-9, 2009 Out and Equal Workplace Summit

October 15-18, 2009 Reaching Out MBA

June 5,6, 2010 Echelon Pride in Business Expo

Send your GLBT Business Event listing to: info@echelonmagazine.com

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