Pittsburgh council introduces legislation to help LGBTQIA+ businesses

Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA+ business owners will be able to register on the city’s online procurement platform and will gain access to business development and trainings under legislation introduced Tuesday by city council members Erika Strassburger and Bruce Kraus.

“This bill represents one more step in our march toward equity here in Pittsburgh,” Strassburger said in a statement. “I’m hopeful this will help expand and grow our city’s LGBTQIA+ businesses that are already making a positive impact here.”

During the council meeting Tuesday, the legislation was held for a committee meeting where it will be discussed further.

“We are stronger when we stand together,” Councilman Ricky Burgess said.

The legislation would allow LGBTQIA+ businesses to register on the city’s Beacon website, which would make them aware of bid opportunities they might have with the city It also would allow them to take part in trainings under the city’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprises program.

Strassburger worked with the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and its local affiliate, The Three Rivers Business Alliance to craft the bill, along with other city officials.

The idea is to ensure LGBTQIA+ businesses are recognized and given equal opportunities to do business in and with the city, officials said.

The city already allows businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans to self-identify and this expands that work to the LGBTQIA+ community, Mayor Bill Peduto said.

“Pittsburgh’s economy only grows stronger when we uplift diverse businesses,” Peduto said.

The legislation is another step toward “creating a City that is welcoming for all, with a more unified vision for the future that we want to build,” Kraus said.

The city will also be able to collect data from LGBTQIA+ businesses and to provide them with future access to future funding opportunities.

The bill was lauded by National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce leaders as a “victory for inclusively” that proves diversity is good for business. The chamber noted there are LGBTQ-owned businesses in every field and now they can be recognized.

“We are glad to be a part of this historic legislation, and we look forward to working with other municipal authorities and private companies to diversify their supplier networks,” Three Rivers Business Alliance President Ronald Hicks said.

The legislation comes on the heels of a student-led petition at the University of Pittsburgh to create an LGBTQIA+ Center to coordinate the programs and services available to the LGBTQIA+ community