Orlando's Gay Biz Assoc. Sets Up Shop

The Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando, the Florida city's gay chamber of commerce, will open up its first brick-and-mortar office space on Thursday in downtown Orlando.

The 300-member business association assembles mixers, conducts training sessions, and provides corporations and businesses with diversity training -- Florida doesn't protect gays and lesbians from workplace discrimination. The group also hosts an annual workplace pride event, which last year drew more than 70,000 participants.

"Orlando's LGBT business community has come of age and is now ready to assume an influential role in the economic recovery of Central Florida," association President Gina Duncan told the Orlando Sentinel.

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