Comming Out

I just celebrated my 6th decade early this month and it was a time to reflect on the road that brought me to this point.  The need for reflection was fueled by the news today of Ellen Page's announcement that she is gay http://sco.lt/5r5Fr7.  My announcement was not so public and was done in bits and pieces.  Considering the year, 1980, and the current social climate (AIDS before it had a name) I not only was owning my long suppressed sexual identity  but explaining that I didn't have the 'gay plague'.

Today, I am proudly out.  I am the owner of a business, President of a LGBT Chamber, and most important, happily, I am a wife.  As I watched the video of Ellen coming out, I noticed how this young woman had all the tell tale body language:  rocking side to side, blushing, hand and arm pumping trying to diffuse the nervousness and the unmistakable voice break.  I was reminded that even in these years of social gain and legal triumphs that it will still be awhile before we can come out with the ease of announcement.

So when you know that there is someone who is struggling before or after the announcement of who they are, lend some encouragement.  Let them know that there is a world filled with more love then hate.  That those closed off countries that suppress our LGBT family is the exception and we are the norm. 

I celebrate all who embrace and accept who they were born to be.

On the Passing of Paul Duncan

Fellow LBCBN members, community and friends:

It is with great sadness, that we inform you Paul Duncan passed away Saturday, August 6th from a sudden aneurysm.  Paul was representing LBCBN at a weeklong conference of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) in Las Vegas and was preparing to head back to Long Beach when this tragedy hit.

Paul was a remarkable human being, full of cheer and endless dedication to helping new and existing businesses create lifelong bonds with other members of the community.  He was an important leader and advocate and too say he will be missed does not even begin to acknowledge the hole that his passing has left in our community.  Paul created a vision that crossed cultural, political and generational boundaries. He spent the past several years connecting LBCBN with numerous programs to reach out to business organizations from Hawaii to Washington, D.C. in an attempt to bring his vision to fruition. It is our hope that we will continue to celebrate Paul’s life by implementing his vision for the LGBT community and LBCBN.

Wherever he went, whomever he met, Paul made you feel that you were his “mate.”  Because he brought such energy and optimism to so many of us, we are sorry to have to bring you this unfortunate news.  We will keep you informed of any memorial services to be held as we receive additional information.

With our warmest and deepest regards,

LBCBN Board of Directors

Donations may be made to Paul Duncan Memorial Scholarship Fund by Clicking Here
or by check to:
LBCBN c/o Paul Duncan Memorial Fund
PO Box 21462
Long Beach, CA 90801

ShowCase your Business at Pride!

Take the opportunity to talk up your biz, provide info and materials to customers and clients during the festival at the LBCBN booth during Pride Festival this weekend.
 
There are limited time slots available for members of LBCBN to take advantage of this opportunity.
 
Take a time slot and you can have your materials available to the thousands visiting Pride this weekend.
 
This is a low cost way to present your business to the thousands at pride, with the best salesrep available ...YOU!
 
Call Paul Duncan TODAY! to reserve your time.
 562-590-0808

Welcome to Our New Site

We do hope you'll find our new site useful, up-to-date and able to answer any and all questions you may have when it comes to finding a gay-friendly business in the Long Beach, CA area.