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Founded in May of 1979 by concerned business individuals including Ron Umbaugh, Jim Walsh, John-David Schonbrook, Ben Brown, Steve Desdier, Fred Schlesinger, Tom Homann, Mike Ragatz, Reese LaRiviere, Patricia Reeves, Carol Horowitz, Bob Clark, George Isbell, Jr., and Don Hauck, the GSDBA began its work with 21 members and a dedicated Board of Directors. 

 

In August of 1979, the GSDBA published its first Register of 16 pages with 67 business listings.  This small but resourceful booklet was the first publication of specifically gay and lesbian owned and/or oriented businesses in San Diego. 

 

By June of 1980, the GSDBA was already a leader in its field, being the third largest gay and lesbian business association in the United States, behind New York and San Francisco.  In September of 1980, membership in the Greater San Diego Business Association broke 100, proving that the GSDBA means business. 

 

The GSDBA hired its first paid employee, on a part-time basis, in January of 1981.  As time progressed, the GSDBA moved to permanent offices and in July of 1993, the organization hired its first Executive Director, Meredith Vezina, on a part-time basis.  In March of 1994, the GSDBA hired its first full-time Executive Director, Bill Donnelly.

 

Throughout the years, the GSDBA and its members have been involved in many community based struggles, from taking on the responsibility of the Harvey Milk Scholarship Fund in 1979; addressing the University of California in support of Dr. Chris Matthews, founder of the Owens Clinic; Hosting a number of Mayoral and City Council election debates; taking on employment discrimination in 1984; defeating Proposition 64 – the LaRouche AIDS initiative in 1986; joining the San Diego Chamber of Commerce in 1993; supporting the lifting of the ban on Gays & Lesbians in the Military; to its current advocacy of Marriage Equality.

 

The GSDBA has led the way by being here to promote your business.  From the first Register in 1979, to the first mixer in 1985, numerous business workshops, representation on a national level, membership in the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, the first Business Networking Group in 1994, to the Gay to Z Expos of 2003 and 2004, the GSDBA continues to introduce the world to the ever growing Gay & Lesbian market.

 

As we celebrate our 26^th year, we look back and thank those founding members, and all those who have committed their time to the organization over the years.  We look forward to new goals, new challenges, and new accomplishments.  We remain here to promote your business!

 

1979	GSDBA is created to foster cohesion, mutual interaction and support within the gay and lesbian business community.
	Charter Membership is 21.
	The GSDBA Register (now known as the Directory) is first published.
1980	The GSDBA becomes the 3rd largest gay and lesbian business association in the country.
	Membership breaks 100.
1981	GSDBA Hires first employee, 10 hours per month.
	Register publication increases to 10,000 copies.
1982	Out with the answering service; calls are now answered by a live person via Dawn Media.
1984	GSDBA Holiday Cruise is born.
1985	GSDBA participates in its first Pride Parade.
	Hillcrest Travel sponsors the first GSDBA mixer.
	GSDBA gets a new phone number and moves to Hillcrest.
1986	GSDBA holds its first Masque Ball.
	GSDBA members help defeat the LaRouche AIDS initiative.
1989	Mayor Maureen O’Conner addresses the GSDBA membership.
1990	GSDBA now offers a Job Bank.
1991	One-third of GSDBA members consists of women in business. Membership reaches 300.
1992	GSDBA receives the Nicky Award for Organization of the Year.
	Randy Eggle, GSDBA Board President, receives the Nicky Award for Businessman of the Year.
1993	GSDBA joins the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
	GSDBA hires first Executive Director.
1994	GSDBA office moves to its current location on Fifth Street.
	First Business Networking Group (BNG) founded.
	GSDBA unveils its new logo.
1996	GSDBA receives Seed Grant from the City of San Diego.
	GSDBA invades cyberspace with its first website.
1999	GSDBA celebrates 20 years of success, boasting more than 600 members.
2000	With the help of Nicole Murray Ramirez and Bryan Garrity, GSDBA is the first LGBT chamber in the country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the US Small Business Administration, recognizing GSDBA’s minority status
2001	Mixers outgrow small venues, averaging 175 attendees.
2003	GSDBA holds its first Gay to Z Expo, breaking through community borders to introduce the world to the ever grown gay and lesbian market.
2004	With a membership of 725 GSDBA celebrates its Silver Anniversary in grand style.
	Partnership with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is formed and Executive Director Joyce Marieb is named as Western Regional Chair.
	GSDBA unveils its newly revised website and online Small Business Resource Center.

 

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