In an embrace of the gay community, the Blue Mountains Regional Chamber of Commerce launched its pink initiative on Wednesday, April 6.
The pink business chapter is designed to both support LGBTIQ-owned and run businesses and to attract the pink dollar to the Mountains.
At a breakfast launch at Bygone Beauties, MC Dianne Davis from the chamber said the campaign was a “great business opportunity”.
“We have a significant LGBTIQ community in the Mountains, particularly the Upper Mountains.”
It was estimated the numbers could be as high as 8 to 10 per cent of the adult population, she said.
“And from a marketing point of view, they are relatively easy to reach.”
The chapter aimed to establish the Mountains as a “pink friendly” place to visit and to do business.
It planned to deliver campaigns directly focused on increasing business for pink-identi?ed/pink-friendly businesses, she said.
The chapter will also try to position the Mountains as an ideal wedding destination in preparation for the inevitable day when same sex marriage is legalised in Australia.
“We want to be in a prime position to take advantage of that… We want to establish the Blue Mountains clearly as a pink friendly destination.”
A logo will be developed which will be able to be displayed by pink owned or accredited pink-friendly businesses.
Debra Wylde, a gay woman who runs Ruby Spur, a digital business development company in Katoomba, was excited about the pink campaign.
“Gay people want acceptance. They don’t want to feel uncomfortable in a new environment, particularly in a business sense,” she said.
“This is about being able to turn up with your partner and not have to explain yourself and not have everyone look at you like you’re weird.”
Lawrence Atkinson, from Trumans Chartered Accountants at Katoomba, said his company wanted to attract LGBTIQ clients.
“We want people to know they can come to us without fear or concern and to feel welcome.”
He thought Trumans might be able to contribute in some way to same-sex marriages.
“We could develop a marriage ceremony budget because when you’re getting married, finance is a big part of it,” he said.
Business chamber president, Vent Thomas, said the pink chapter was “the most exciting initiative we have had to date. It’s important as a community, as individuals, as business owners, operators and customers.”
For further information about the pink business chapter, see www.bmchamber.org.au or call 4782 5307.
