By GILES BROWN - The Press
Last updated 05:00 12/05/2010
Gender is on the agenda for a Christchurch group that aims to bring together gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
The Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Business Association (GBA) of Christchurch includes builders and tax consultants.
The association, which met last night to coincide with Christchurch Pride Week, has been running for nearly 18 months with about 40 members.
Executive committee member Suzy Lawson said the group gave business owners an opportunity to network.
"Quite often they want to take their business to gay people and support each other. [Membership] is very broad. There's no particular trend," she said.
"Like any association or society, there are people from all walks of life."
Member Nikki Smith, who is the transgender chairwoman of the group Agender Christchurch, said while the "main focus" was for businesspeople to meet and mingle, the social aspect was also important.
"There's a real need for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community to network because there's a lot of common concerns and not just about business," she said.
Kim Morgan, who is transgender and a professional artist, said she was considering joining the group because she wanted to learn more about how to promote and run her business. "I know about art and painting, but I don't know about business."
She said she had run into little prejudice in her work.
"I haven't really found it with professional, or business or tradespeople," Morgan said.
Daily events will run until Sunday as part of Christchurch Pride Week.