Aloha, friends (I learned that from the aforementioned vacay in Hawaii—did you miss me?!?). It’s been quite the month for high-profile nominations, from the Primetime Emmys to hopeful Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. On the LGBT red carpet, two organizations have announced their nominations, both equally worthy of a spotlight.

 On Wednesday, Out and Equal Advocates announced nominations for “The Outies,” its annual workplace awards which recognize the most significant achievements in LGBT workplace equality. There are five categories this year—two recognizing individual achievement and three recognizing organizations. Check out the nominees here. Specifically, look at the high profile companies represented in the Workplace Excellence Award, including Google and PricewaterhouseCoopers. This award recognizes an employer that has a historic and ongoing commitment to pursuing and executing workplace equality for LGBT employees, continually raising the bar of workplace equality for others to follow.

As I previously blogged, companies who recognize their LGBT employees will earn an immeasurable ROI among LGBT consumers. Just imagine the brand advocates you create by respecting your LGBT workforce, who in turn, will champion you to their own circle of friends. Just call it “Gay it Forward.”  Winners will be announced on October 8 at the 2009 Out & Equal Workplace Summit in October. My biggest question—what does one wear to the Outies?

On the small business front, The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and Wells Fargo & Company is now accepting applications for the fifth annual NGLCC/Wells Fargo LGBT Business Owner of the Year Award, recognizing a small business owner for his/her entrepreneurial spirit and personal service to the community. In addition to a swanky black tie/black dress dinner in D.C. in November, the winner gets a cash grant of $5,000. Know a small business owner who fits the bill? Deadline is Wednesday, July 22. Get your application here.

I love that we have opportunities for both small and big companies to be recognized for their commitment to the LGBT community. Out & Equal/NGLCC—Please note that I am willing and able to either host the award ceremony, provide red carpet coverage, or serve as beautiful award presenter….

Now, let’s be real. This wouldn’t be a Murphy Friday if I didn’t discuss yesterday’s Emmy nominations. Kudos to our man Neil Patrick Harris for being named the host of the ceremony.  But where was the love for Friday Night Lights?!? Am I the only person who watches that show? At least Big Love finally got some big love and recognition. Note to Emmy producers—I am also willing and able to provide red carpet coverage…

Greater Than AIDS was launched last week, on National HIV Testing Day, by the Black AIDS Media Partnership to create a movement of HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness.  The campaign aims to mobilize the black community to talk about HIV/AIDS and protect against the spread of the disease.

Though blacks account for 13 percent of the total US population, this community makes up nearly 50% of new HIV cases. That means, approximately half a million Black Americans are living with HIV. Many of those affected lack access to health care and treatment, making this population even more vulnerable. According to the CDC, black men who have sex with men (BMSM) accounted for 63 percent of new infections among black men in 2006." A campaign that urges testing, prevention and conversation in the black community is essential for change.

Greater Than is a refreshing campaign, though visually dark. The Greater Than AIDS Web site provides advocates with an opportunity to engage others through social network tools, like Twitter and Facebook. The entire Web site is set up as an online community, giving visitors an opportunity to personalize their pages and start or join a conversation. This platform fulfills the campaign’s mission – opening the doors to discussion and change. Additionally, four videos show personal stories of HIV positive people – breaking the silence. Looking for a call to action, there’s plenty. The Web site provides national to local ways people can get involved in HIV advocacy. 

Looking for something to do this weekend? Join Greater than AIDS at the ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans. On-site, free HIV testing will be available to attendees, followed by an HIV/AIDS seminar featuring Phill Wilson, Executive Director of the Black AIDS Institute; Marvelyn Brown, activist and author; Dr. Hilda Hutcherson and others.

To be quite honest, I really like this campaign – its overall mission, strategy and tactics. Each platform the campaign utilizes gives a voice to the black community. One of the greatest hurdles in changing behavior goes beyond pure education. Campaigns and communications tactics that truly make an impact are those that give communities what is needed – a platform to discuss issues and motivate personal change.  I’m excited to see the campaign grow and gain momentum.

As many of us have said countless times before, the conversation about HIV/AIDS needs to be restarted and refreshed. We all need to be thinking about ways to ensure we keep the dialogue going about prevention and protection, treatment and care. With infection rates climbing in many places (including D.C. where it has now been labeled an epidemic), we simply have no choice but to think about all of the ways in which we can leverage communications tools to share information and encourage efforts to fight HIV infections.

So it was great to read this morning about a new coalition of business leaders that has identified three target cities in the U.S. for a new campaign to “fight the spread of HIV and AIDS with better marketing, appearances by professional basketball players and financial donations to city health departments.”  The Washington Post carried the story on the front of its Metro section today and provided good detail about a story that gets far too little attention. 

According to the article, the three cities receiving the funding are Washington, D.C., New York City and Oakland, California. The companies involved are all members of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and include Pfizer, Nike, Nokia, the National Basketball Association and Facebook (among others). Very cool. I must say, however, that I hope this program does not become a one-shot deal. If the companies just write checks and issue press releases and then the campaign goes nowhere, then this announcement will amount to nothing more than bad PR. I really hope that the partners are committed to this campaign and will see it through, including remaining engaged in outreach and communication focused on making a positive impact.

The announcement could not have come at a better time. Saturday, June 27, 2009 is National HIV Testing Day – an annual observance that often seems to be overshadowed by other events and activities. 

What do you think? Is this kind of corporate engagement helpful? What else should we be doing to further the conversation about HIV/AIDS? Please share your thoughts below.

Over the years on this blog, we’ve talked a lot about what companies should and shouldn’t do and offered examples of companies that demonstrate their smarts by leading their competitors in the gay and lesbian marketplace. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is one company that’s definitely a leader. As we continue our Pride Month special focus series, I’m really pleased that we’re able to bring you a Q&A with one of their senior executives.

Niki Leondakis is Kimpton’s chief operating officer and the creator of the company’s Diversity Initiative.  As she explains in her bio, the Diversity Initiative is “committed to creating a culture that acknowledges, understands, values and celebrates differences among people.” 

Long known for its unique, boutique-style hotels in San Francisco and Washington D.C., Kimpton is now becoming an even stronger player in the hotel industry with nearly 50 hotels and restaurants in major cities across the United States and Canada. Gay and lesbian engagement has been front and center in Kimpton’s outreach and communications for years and has included LGBT audience outreach, fundraising and marketing. 

As we discuss below, nearly every major hotel brand is now involved in some way in advertising or marketing to the LGBT community. But Kimpton was one of the first, and they certainly seem committed to maintaining their position in the front of the pack with their Summer of Pride promotion and their other outreach efforts to engage the LGBT community.

We’re grateful to Niki for taking the time to answer our questions. We hope you’ll enjoy reading her answers. For more information on Kimpton’s LGBT initiatives, check out their Web site.

Ben Finzel: Tell us about the "Summer of Pride" promotion. How has the response to it been so far this year?

Niki Leondakis: This year, Kimpton's 3rd Annual Summer of Pride will take place in twenty cities across North America. The promotion is valid every weekend, all summer long, and encourages guests to enjoy the dozens of street festivals and fairs, Pride events, film festivals, and fundraisers that take place in the cities. When guests book two nights in a participating hotel, they receive a third night free on weekends. Also included is a $50 dining credit at one of our adjacent, chef-driven Kimpton restaurants. This package has been very well received, and we’re seeing a high volume of bookings, especially in cities like San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Boston. 

Ben Finzel: Kimpton has a strong reputation in the LGBT community, at least partially because of your extensive outreach and involvement in our community. Why do you feel engaging with our community is important? How does it benefit the company and your corporate reputation?

Niki Leondakis: Our main focus is to support the LGBT community through a number of local organizations and nonprofits. We’ve found that we’re able to have the greatest impact in the community by establishing strong relationships with these local organizations, getting to know the active individuals in the community and by working closely with a handful of local charities. This has allowed us to connect in a more meaningful way with the people in our community. We’ve also found that our employees really enjoy being able to give back, to make a difference in the community they live in, and to see a direct impact. Our guests also really enjoy being a part of our community, and being able to give back. It’s been a great way for us to engage our employees as well as our guests.

Ben Finzel: As "pride" becomes a more important marketing tool for companies interested in reaching the LGBT community, the likelihood that it will become overused and less effective increases. What lessons have you learned in your years of outreach that would like to share with others?

Niki Leondakis: Pride is a powerful word; it relates to both the LGBT community and many other communities.  In the LGBT community, Pride has not only become an important word but also an event that has been significant in the road to equality. For Kimpton, our biggest lesson has been the strength of our employees, empowering our LGBT employees to be active in the community has been a win-win for everyone. When this support is sincere, and comes from the heart, the message is powerful. 

Ben Finzel: With so many other hotel brands engaging with our community, Kimpton is no longer the only option for LGBT travelers that want to support companies that support us.  How do you separate yourselves from your competition and what plans do you have for the future?

Niki Leondakis: Almost every hotel brand now has some type of outreach program for the LGBT community. Staying in front and separating ourselves means more than just being gay-friendly. It’s also about treating each person as an individual. Kimpton really understands that each guest has their own individual needs. And that we’re here to provide a product, services, amenities and care that meets the needs of each individual traveler. This same approach holds true for the LGBT community. While Kimpton may attract community members through our outreach, once we have you in the hotel, it's still all about your individual needs and guest experience. Kimpton is committed to its continued care for guests.  

In order to remain a top brand for the LGBT community, we will have to continue supporting the community but also will have to constantly upgrade our hotels, offer new programs and at the same time offer the same genuine care Kimpton is known for. We will continue to evolve the personalized care and attention we provide our guests and reinforce that we recognize each person as an individual. 

Over the next few years, Kimpton will also be developing new hotels perfectly located in urban cores of gay- friendly cities.  We just opened hotels in Miami, Midtown Atlanta and Los Angeles, and in the coming months expect hotels in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and many more cities. In each new city our goal is to be the most loved hotel by the local LGBT community.

Ben Finzel: The travel and tourism marketplace was one of the first to recognize the power and potential of the LGBT market and companies such as Kimpton have been particularly innovative in their approach to reaching us. What's next? Any predictions for the future of this kind of outreach in the industry that you'd like to share with us?

Niki Leondakis: The trend in the hospitality industry is that more and more companies are realizing the significance of the LGBT market. They see the opportunity and more and more hotel companies are dedicating sales and marketing efforts and resources to target this community. The question will become, once these companies are able to get in front of the LGBT community, will they be able to deliver and meet guest expectations? As the COO, my job is to assure that Kimpton always stays ahead of that curve. At Kimpton we take great pride in our LGBT employees, guests and vendors. We try to be part of the community, and we will continue to offer our LGBT guests the very best in personalized and individualized care.

Ben Finzel: Niki, thank you. I think your responses demonstrate why Kimpton has been so successful for so long. We hope you’ll continue innovating and excelling. And we hope you’ll remain committed to demonstrating by your example how important championing gay and lesbian marketing and communications is to industry leadership.

A little over two weeks ago (right before the start of Pride Month, actually), the Nevada Legislature overrode the Governor’s veto of a bill to create a domestic partnership registry, making Nevada the 17th state in the country to formally recognize the relationships of gay men and lesbians.

So, why is this relevant to our blog when we don’t normally address state legislative initiatives? Because of the way in which this measure became law. The Nevada legislature had originally passed the bill, but the governor vetoed it. His veto was overridden specifically because of pressure from the state’s tourism industry which successfully made the case that refusing to pass the legislation would harm the state’s reputation among LGBT people and likely drastically impact tourism, perhaps even leading to a gay boycott of the state.

Harrah’s Entertainment Senior Vice President Jan Jones (the former mayor of Las Vegas and former chairwoman of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority) made the point in a letter to state legislators (as quoted in the Las Vegas-Review Journal) urging them to support the bill:

"Our state cannot afford to lose any more revenue to other destinations because of a reputation as a place which is not socially or politically the right place to do business or to vacation," Jones stated in the letter, dated Tuesday…"Our company does aggressive marketing to this community," Jones said Wednesday. "How can we say to them 'we want your business, but we don't care about your rights.'"

Does this sound familiar? If you’ve been reading this blog for a long time, it probably does. In my first blog post here, I made the point that gay and lesbian communications had a role to play in effecting social change:

“You should care about gay and lesbian marketing and communications for one simple reason: because it presents one of the biggest opportunities to positively affect the future of the LGBT community. Public opinion changes as society evolves. Society evolves as it considers different people with new outlooks and varied points of view. Public relations and marketing communications change how people see us (or even that they see us at all) and that leads to social change”.

And I used examples to prove my point about what I called the “politics of commerce” including this one:

“Check out the convention and visitors bureaus of many major cities (including Washington, D.C., where I live) and you’ll find gay tourism programs: gay travel and tourism promotion helps make the case for the value of the gay dollar; this in turn can help sway politicians to oppose gay marriage bans and other divisive issues because they understand that such intolerant views could cost them local tax revenue from tourism.”

While I was initially tempted to say “I told you so,” I think it’s more appropriate to say “thank you.” Thank you to Ms. Jones and to all of the folks in Nevada who provided real world proof of the power of gay and lesbian communications. We are a viable, valuable audience and the recognition of that fact demonstrates the impact gay and lesbian communications can have on positive social and political change.

What do you think? Do you know of similar examples in which the role of gay and lesbian communications had an impact on social or political change? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be famous but not out? What are the career implications once you do come out? What goes through your mind through all of these changes? 

I’m so pleased to be able to share one man’s perspective on these – and other – questions with you. When he came out in The Advocate in 2004, Dave Koz instantly expanded his already large fan base and shattered a lot of myths about gay men and music. As Dave points out in our conversation below, many people assume that gay men only like club music. That’s not true (I, for one, have been a Dave Koz fan for more than a decade). And the idea that the only gay musicians are those that make club music has been forever banished with Dave’s bold action to say who he is fully, as a person and a musician.

I met Dave at the Out for Equality Ball here in Washington during the Presidential Inauguration in January. I walked up to him and introduced myself after his opening set at the Ball (I’ve seen lots of famous people, but never had the nerve to say anything before). What a nice guy Dave Koz is – he greeted my partner Mark and I graciously and even agreed to pose for a picture with us (that’s us in the photo to the left). Fortunately, he also agreed to conduct a Q&A with me for the blog. We’re running it today as a Pride Month special feature in advance of the kick-off of Dave’s Side by Side summer tour (with Brian Culbertson) on Friday, June 26 in Kettering, Ohio.

As I said to Dave in an e-mail after I read his answers to my questions, he is as well spoken with words as he is with music. I hope you enjoy reading Dave’s thoughts as much as I enjoyed the opportunity to talk with him. And if you’d like to know more about Dave, check out his Web site (or set up a Dave Koz channel on Pandora as I’ve done).

Ben Finzel: You came out publicly in an interview in The Advocate. What was that experience like for you? 

Dave Koz: I think everyone makes that leap at the right time in their own lives—there is no absolute rule, and thus I tend to shy away from giving anyone else advice on how to do this. In my own experience however, I never had a master plan to come out...that moment shocked me when it came—I sort of knew it instinctively and I said to myself, “It’s time”. Up until that point it was something I was either too worried, or too freaked out to do. I wasn’t willing to risk it...but then something surprising happened.
I was doing an interview for another gay publication—and the interviewer initially said it was just to speak on the music, no personal questions. His editors had a different agenda and he came back to me saying that in order for the article to run I would have to address my sexuality. Well, I noticed the way this information made me feel...and for the first time ever, it didn’t scare the &*%# out of me! I went to my managers with the idea of coming out—they were super supportive, having helped Melissa Etheridge along her journey. But they said if you’re going to do it, do it with The Advocate. And that’s exactly what happened—a few months later, just about in sync with my turning 40, it was done. This little piece of information that I’d been guarding so preciously all my adult life was finally out there for the world to see. Of course at the time I was freaking out...but I haven’t looked back since. By far, the very best thing I’ve ever done for myself.

Ben Finzel: You released the album Saxophonic several months before you came out and I recall reading that there was some concern that your coming out might adversely affect album sales. Did it? How do you feel about those concerns now? 

Dave Koz: We all have concerns about how this new information about ourselves will affect what we do, how we’re perceived in the world. I too had very deep concerns—I had enjoyed many years of a storybook career...gold albums, concert tours in the US and abroad...radio play. I was out to my friends and family, but to my fans I hadn’t taken that step. And a big leap it would be. But my biggest fears never materialized. In fact I can recall that year, 2003 being one of the very best years in my career, ever. Two weeks after the article came out, I was in Washington DC, in Senator Ted Kennedy’s backyard as a special musical guest for a senatorial caucus on gay rights—courtesy of my new friend, the great David Mixner (who I met because he saw the article). My publicist had been trying for years to get anything printed in People magazine, but to no avail. Then all of a sudden they make me one of their “bachelors” in that issue—all because one of the People editors saw the article. We sold more concert tickets and albums that year than in any year I can recall. It was a great lesson to learn...you can build this wall of fear up around you very easily, but when you finally make that step to tackle it head on, you realize there wasn’t a wall there at all. I alone had put it up and made it this insurmountable obstacle...when in fact, there really wasn’t anything blocking me at all. It was a major revelation that has helped me in countless ways since.

Ben Finzel: We’ve blogged quite a bit about the importance of public influencers coming out, but we’ve also looked at the difficulties faced by various public figures in navigating what is really a personal decision. Looking back at your own very public coming out and the way in which it was addressed in the media, would you do anything differently if you could? 

Dave Koz: For me, I think it happened in the right way at the right time. And even though it was rather ‘public’, it didn’t have any controversy surrounding it...it sorta came and went really. To this day I think there are large numbers of folks who don’t know I am out—but many folks do know. I don’t lead with that in my daily life, but it’s all out there for anyone to see and should it come up I am more than happy to speak on it, no matter where in the world I go. (and I’ve played concerts in places like Russia and Dubai where this info is a little more politically and culturally charged).

I think my coming out matched me and where I was at the time...and where I am now. It felt right and it was time. Hopefully in the not too distant future, a person’s coming out will be so matter of fact and such an everyday occurrence that it will become a complete non-issue.

Ben Finzel: I’ve always relied on music as a touchstone for my life. There are certain songs and artists that have carried me through tough times and helped me celebrate good ones. How important do you think music is to LGBT people living in what is often an unfriendly world? 

Dave Koz: Music is important for everyone...even those that wouldn’t classify themselves as die-hard music fans. Could you imagine our world without it? What about going to a movie without a soundtrack? Or a bar without some ambience of music playing? We mark our experiences with songs and artists and moments in time become forever etched in our brains with musical soundtracks all their own. So I don’t think using ‘music as comfort’ it’s uniquely a LGBT experience. I think everyone has that usage for it to some extent. But I do think that there are musical stereotypes that get attached to certain groups...like dance/techno is the only thing that gays like to listen to/respond to. Tell that to the ever-increasing LGBT audience I am overjoyed to see at the concerts, cruises, events my band and I do. 

Ben Finzel: Last fall you released a Greatest Hits album and this summer you’re going to tour again. How has touring changed for you since you came out? 

Dave Koz: It’s hard to put into words as it’s really more a feeling. I guess it has most to do with being 100% comfortable on stage...about fully stepping into my own shoes, playing with the full deck of cards...about being completely bare and honest when I go out there. It’s intangible, and may be unrecognizable to the average concert-goer at my shows. But I feel it. When I came out I did what I thought was the most difficult thing I could ever imagine facing in my life, personally. Getting to the other side of it you realize...if I can do that, I can really do anything. So I just go out there, and let it all hang out. What’s to fear?! Mostly though, it’s been a huge confidence-builder, and it’s made my shows more fun, light, spontaneous, emotional and in-the-moment. It’s also freed me up musically in ways I’ve found surprising and wonderful.

Ben Finzel: Dave, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. I hope you’ll keep entertaining us for many years to come. We’ll be listening.

Dave Koz photo courtesy of the artist.

Welcome back to our conversation with Windy City Media Group publisher and executive editor Tracy Baim. In today’s conclusion to our two-part Q&A, Tracy shares her thoughts on the differences between LGBT media and so-called “mainstream” media and talks about the future of LGBT media. 

Given my strongly held views about the importance of LGBT media – and appreciation for the important role they play in reporting all of the news – I was particularly interested in Tracy’s comments. I think you will be too.

Tracy’s comments on marketing to our community should be highlighted in every public relations, marketing and communications class and used as the primer for how and what to do by anyone in our industry planning outreach to our community. I could not have said it better myself, and am thrilled to be able to share Tracy’s insight with you here. 

Ben Finzel:  You cover our community 365 days a year where your so-called “mainstream” counterparts generally only pay attention to us a few times a year (including during Pride). Have you noticed an increase in “mainstream” media following LGBT media on key stories? 

Tracy Baim: There are some stories that get universal coverage by all; marriage in Iowa is an example. The mainstream covered that as it happened, as it should. The LGBT media cover that kind of story in much deeper ways. That gives our readers a context for why things happen, and why they continue to happen. Someone reading just the mainstream may have been shocked to learn about that happening, but our readers would have had years of coverage related to marriage that set the stage for the recent successes (and setbacks). We will have many more follow-up stories on marriage, and explore it on a deeper level.

There are hundreds of stories the mainstream does not cover within the LGBT community. Maybe once every few years they cover LGBTs in sport, for example, but every week in Windy City Times you see LGBT athletes in our community, whether in gay leagues or in mainstream sports. Same with entertainment, the bars, culture, etc. The mainstream will do some coverage, and more frequently now does include gays in coverage of, for example, a home and design issue. But they just do not have the space or access to do the kind of depth a weekly gay newspaper, with a Web site updated daily, can do. This is no different than any "niche," for example African-American, Latino, Asian, women's etc.

Also, I would say as a whole the mainstream media has not done a good job of covering the diversity of the LGBT community: it's still mostly white gay men. Even most LGBT media are not very diverse, but we pride ourselves at Windy City Times in trying to cover all aspects of the community.

Tracy Baim: Consolidation, at least at the regional LGBT media level, has not been widespread. The one major attempt at this is failing. Because most LGBT media are so regional, trying to create a top-down model just did not work. This happened for a wide range of reasons, and maybe partly because of management issues.

But a very large reason consolidation has yet to be successful is that the mainstream marketing community, and mainstream businesses, are still extremely unsophisticated in their approach to this market. I am dumbfounded at how painstakingly slow it has been watching mainstream companies as they notice how valuable the LGBT market is ... and yet have put so little into capitalizing on it. The fear is drowning a smart business decision. [What I mean is fear of a backlash; there are numerous studies proving that anti-gay attacks don't hurt companies, and those companies who have stood firm have seen a growth in support. Two examples are Kraft and Walgreens, who were threatened for their support of Gay Games VII in Chicago; they did not pull their support and they did not suffer any economic impact.]

We all know how many LGBT people work in advertising and marketing, including at major brands. Two things happen: One, just because they are LGBT, does not mean they know how to reach LGBTs. Second, people do not want to be seen as only being an expert in the LGBT area, so they fail to push their companies to move into this community.

I could give a lot of examples of companies that have been very slow in this area, but I don't want to name names, in part because there are so many. But I put them into two categories. One, those who already do have a significant LGBT following, and take it for granted. They do absolutely nothing to earn this loyalty, and are at risk of losing it if another brand comes along with a better widget. The second are those who have very few LGBT customers, and their brand suffers from this in part because they are not seen as a leader in diversity and reaching out to all consumers.

Part of the problem is that many companies have a split personality on LGBTs. We have seen a tremendous growth in companies working internally to create a great atmosphere for LGBT employees. The HRC Corporate Equality Index is an example of activism pushing companies to get better and better each year, and the bar is going to be raised again because so many hit 100%. That is terrific.

But how does that really help the LGBT community outside of the company? Well, it does have some societal effect, especially when those companies reach out and lobby for legislation like ENDA. But if all they do externally is throw a few dollars to buy a table at a gay gala, or one ad a year in a pride guide, or a float in a few parades, they are basically just placating their employees. What they need to do, if they want to shore up their LGBT market and grow it, or start it, is to take a comprehensive marketing approach just as they do with any community.

What does this mean? It means taking a significant portion of their marketing and advertising budget and doing as they might do with any segment: National and local targeted geographic outreach through event sponsorship; legislative support; company internal events and workshops; solid company employee policies and health coverage; advertising in local and national LGBT media--print, Web, email, podcasts, video, etc.; advertising in areas that have strong LGBT presence in the mainstream; using LGBT "spokesmodels" for their brand; using LGBT-specific images in their ads (as opposed to same generic ads used in mainstream); use those ads in both LGBT and mainstream marketing; partnering at a major level with LGBT charities, not just at galas, but in national feel-good marketing and advertising campaigns; and I could go on with a whole course in this area.

The bottom line is really the bottom line. If a company that spends $100 million on marketing in a year in the U.S. spends $100,000 in the LGBT market, they get what they pay for. But a bold and innovative company that takes even 5% of their budget, or $5 million in this example, and uses that in a wide range of marketing and advertising, will find a tremendous loyalty that has an amazing multiplier through the myriad channels of the LGBT movement.

Now that would change the face of LGBT media, and mainstream media, for years to come.

Ben Finzel: Tracy, thank you for sharing your insight and for giving us a practical “how-to” about LGBT marketing and communications that we can, and will, forward, share and promote to anyone and anyone who will listen. Keep up the great work and we’ll keep reading what you have to say.

The weather’s improving, shorts and swimsuits are hitting the retail rack and many gay and lesbian travelers are packing their bags for a summer getaway. But just what cities and companies will be receiving the majority of LGBT tourism dollars? If history is any indication, it’s those places of business and leisure that directly communicate and connect with our community.

This week, Gay.com announced its 2009 Travel Awards, which included long-standing havens of inclusiveness:

• Favorite Airline:  Delta
• Favorite International Destination: London, England
• Favorite Romantic Getaway: Paris, France
• Favorite Domestic Destination: San Francisco, CA
• Favorite Resort Town: Provincetown, MA
• Favorite Hotel Chain:  W
• Favorite Guest House: Island House, Key West
• Favorite Casino: Mandalay Bay
• Favorite Car Rental Company: Enterprise

And while not a 2009 Gay.com Travel Award recipient, the City of Brotherly Love recently announced its new travel marketing campaign, which includes specific LGBT advertising and messaging. The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation’s With Love, Philadelphia XOXO is a 1.4 million integrated communication approach to bolster the hospitality industry amidst this current economy, leveraging its current Philadelphia – Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay campaign to more recession-proof LGBT travelers. In addition to public relations, events and nearly 100 different hotel packages, the new campaign includes print and broadcast advertising that runs from May 18 through September. The print advertising takes on a “love letter” approach (think “Dear Guys Who Like Guys and Girls Who Like Girls”), inviting visitors to experience the personality and relevant offerings of the city. 

The awards and Philly’s new campaign are two more examples of a changing perspective – a deeper understanding and appreciation among cities, companies, governments and communities that gay and lesbian travelers, like all other types of tourists, are a diverse group of people with several commonalities, the most important being a need to communicate and feel welcome. It’s that simple equation that translates into loyalty and significant tourism revenues.

As you jet off to your escape this summer, keep your eyes out for companies or cities that do a great – or not so great – job of welcoming and communicating with you. Then come back and share your experience with us here on the FH Out Front Blog. Safe travels!

We’re not doctors, but we communications professionals often follow the adage commonly associated with medicine in our advice to clients: “first, do no harm.” The concept is that we should not plan or conduct communications efforts that cause harm to our clients’ reputation, image or products. If it sounds like common sense, it is.  But that doesn’t mean it’s always practiced in the real world.

I bring this up today because The Advocate ran a story online Sunday about Walmart’s CEO and the 2008 Arkansas amendment to ban adoption and foster parenting by LGBT couples. According to the article, Walmart’s new CEO, Mike Duke, signed a petition last year to put the amendment on the Arkansas ballot (it was placed on the ballot and passed by a large margin in November of 2008).

Communications and marketing, as with politics, is a game of addition. The objective of most communications and marketing efforts is to add more people, not drive them away. Increasingly, efforts that drive away LGBT customers are being seen by consumers as problematic, even for companies that might not seem all that interested in reaching our community. More and more companies are beginning to understand that it’s just not good business to openly discriminate. Not just because our community is offended, but because in ever-larger numbers consumers value companies that value all people equally. 

You could make the argument that Walmart’s CEO was simply expressing his opinion and say that he had every right to do so (and note that he wasn’t CEO when he signed the petition as he just took on that job in February of this year). But consumers also have the right to shop where they feel welcome, wanted and respected. And they are expressing that right more and more by supporting those companies that support them and their neighbors – even the LGBT ones.

Walmart’s CEO is entitled to his opinion. But the consumers he wants to continue adding to his customer base are also entitled to show their displeasure at his exclusionary beliefs by exercising their right to shop elsewhere.

We’ll see if this development has any measurable impact on Walmart’s sales. Despite past support for LGBT organizations and issues, Walmart has been inconsistent in its engagement with our community.  And previous missteps by the company on LGBT issues received scant attention – even in the LGBT blogosphere – and it may be that this is another one-day story. However, if I were advising Walmart (I’m not), I’d tell them to take these kinds of situations seriously.

Walmart has apparently spent a great deal of time and resources to reshape its reputation and build a positive record on sustainability and environmental concerns (no doubt to move beyond their negative “big box” image of the past). They had previously begun attempting to do that with the LGBT community as well, but this latest news adds to the pattern of inconsistency about where Walmart stands on LGBT issues. Continued confusion could cause harm to Walmart's efforts to build a corporate image of responsibility and responsiveness. That may not happen today, with this story, but a continual pattern of these actions will add up over time. It takes a long time to build a reputation, but a very short time to damage one.