Nashville Mayor David Briley signed an executive order recently designating LGBT-owned businesses (LGBTBEs) as a recognized category in procurement for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (also known simply as Metro Government).
"It's my job as Mayor to make sure that everyone in our city, regardless of who they are or where they come from, has equal access to economic opportunities," said Mayor Briley. "Today, we've taken an important step towards better equity for LGBT-owned businesses in Nashville. I am proud to sign this executive order and look forward to seeing these Nashville businesses flourish."
The Metro Purchasing Agent is now charged with several responsibilities, which include modifying relevant documents to allow for self-registration as an LGBTBE, allowing for certification through registration with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), tracking utilization of LGBTBEs in Metro procurement, and providing LGBTBEs with similar services to the ones already provided to other classes of certified businesses in Metro procurement. By virtue of the change, LGBTBEs will also be included in any future disparity studies.
The executive order makes Nashville the first city in the South which recognizes LGBTBEs as a recognized category for the purposes of public procurement. In addition to the executive order, Mayor Briley also put in a $25,000 grant to the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
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