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NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETS WITH PRESIDENT OF ARGENTINA
President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner expresses support of NGLCC mission
WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 23, 2010 - Just minutes after signing same-sex
marriage into law, Argentina's President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
hosted an exclusive gathering of media and LGBT and human rights supporters,
including representatives from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of
Commerce (NGLCC).
Justin Nelson and Chance Mitchell, co-founders of the NGLCC, were two of
the eight guests invited to speak with President Fernández de Kirchner
following the landmark bill signing. Other guests included Pablo de Luca and
Gustavo Noguero, the co-founders of Argentina's LGBT Chamber of Commerce;
Bob Witeck, owner of LGBT-certified Witeck-Combs Communications; and Michael
Luongo, an American journalist who lives in both the U.S. and Argentina
"President Fernández de Kirchner seemed very interested in learning about
the U.S. LGBT community and how newly legalized same-sex marriages might
impact cultural tourism between our nations," Nelson said. "LGBT travelers
from the United States spend more than $65 million a year on tourism, so
this new law could encourage travel to the area."
The private meeting, arranged by tourism minister Enrique Meyer, took place
during the first ever American LGBT trade mission, the NGLCC South American
Business and Cultural Exchange. During the trip, a small group of LGBT
business leaders and NGLCC representatives met with top government
officials, industry leaders, importers and Argentine LGBT entrepreneurs for
six days of meetings and special events in Mendoza. NGLCC representatives
also spoke at the gnetworks360 conference in Buenos Aires.
"We're incredibly encouraged by our visit with President Fernández de
Kirchner. We're glad to see Argentina support human and LGBT rights and
legalize same-sex marriages in her country. She called on this law to set an
example for the rest of the region and the world, and we strongly echo that
sentiment."
The NGLCC South American Business and Cultural Exchange lasts through July
27. Other upcoming NGLCC events include the 2010 National Business and
Leadership Conference: Out for Business and National Dinner: An Evening of
Courage (November 18-20) in Washington, D.C.
About the NGLCC
The NGLCC is the business advocate and direct link between LGBT business
owners, corporations and government. The NGLCC represents the interests of
more than 1.4 million LGBT-owned businesses in the United States and is the
umbrella organization for 61 state, local and international LGBT chambers of
commerce and business organizations. For more information on the NGLCC, to
learn how to become a NGLCC certified business or for information on
becoming a corporate partner, please visit www.nglcc.org or call
202.234.9181. Follow the NGLCC on Twitter @NGLCC or on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/nglcc.
[7/29/10]
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