Title
Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code, Title One, Administrative; Article IX, Boards, Commissions and Authorities, to add a Section 177A.11, LGBT Business Enterprises.
Body
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh is one of the most diverse cities in the country with large lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations;
WHEREAS, ensuring the success of our small business community in Pittsburgh is vital to our growth and improving quality of life for our residents; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh (the "City") is committed to providing historically underrepresented business owners equal opportunities to compete and succeed, and is also committed to increasing the number and diversity of supplier options for city procurement practices; and
WHEREAS, the City already provides inclusionary measures for underrepresented business entities that are minority or woman owned (MWBE); and
WHEREAS, the City already adheres to non-discrimination, affirmative action, and equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies that includes LGBT individuals with regards to individual hiring practices; and
WHEREAS, the City does not yet provide specific inclusionary efforts for diverse-owned business entities but recognizes LGBT-inclusion as a best practice conducted by large corporations based in the region as well as governments in California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, along with multiple municipalities nationwide that similarly seek a top score on the HRC's Municipal Equality Index; and
WHEREAS, in conjunction with this legislation, NGLCC and/or an NGLCC affiliate or partner, or their equivalents, shall also provide independent scholarship programs, mentorship and leadership training, networking opportunities, and other business development tools to further support LGBT business entities in Pittsburgh with the support of the Three Rivers Business Alliance, the local NGLCC affiliate chamber, or its equivalent; and
WHEREAS, the City is seeking to better understand the LGBT-owned bus...
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