Atlanta has one of largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender populations in the country and its impact is growing both as an economic segment and as a significant ingredient in Atlanta's business, government and cultural community.

"The gay community is a lot more visible and living in all parts of the metro area these days, " said Philip Rafshoon, owner of Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse. His shop has been a gathering place for gays and Midtown residents for 10 years.

"We were embraced by the community as soon as we opened and we make sure everyone feels welcomed when they walk through the door. This is a neighborhood shop, " he said.

Rafshoon has seen the Atlanta gay - and mainstream - population become more diverse in terms of age, race and ethnic background.

"It still amazes me how many new people come in here, " he said. "The gay and lesbian economic impact on Atlanta is enormous. It's part of the fabric of the entire city."

The numbers bear him out. Fifteen years ago, the Atlanta Gay Pages published its first business directory with 60 advertisers. Today's book has 600 pages of gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses. Marketing experts estimate that the nation's 13 to 15 million gays and lesbians spend about $450 billion annually and Atlanta claims a large piece of that pie.

"About 200 organizations participate in the Atlanta Gay Pride festival now, " said Donna Narducci, executive director. "Whether people are looking for a club, a chiropractor, service organization, sports team or church, they can find a GLBT-friendly group in Atlanta."

Michael Dudich, founder of Mini Mobile Media's bicycle-powered advertising, is offering a turn-key Pride Parade Package to companies that want to participate in the parade, but don't know how.

"We donated the bikes for the festival in order to help generate awareness and we're talking to companies who have never supported the gay community before," Dudich said.

"This sector of the market is very aware of the inclusion and non-inclusion policies of companies. Once they feel that a company, city or service is supportive, then their loyalty is very strong, " said Cindy Abel, president of Bizvox Marketing Communications, which specializes in reaching niche markets.

Bizvox has helped the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau market Atlanta to GLBT tourists.

About 100 people turned out for the first Gay Pride event in 1970. Last year, there were 320,000 attendees, resulting in an estimated $20 million economic impact on the city. This year, Gay Pride weekend will be June 25-27 in Atlanta.

What began as a remembrance of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, which sparked the modern gay rights movement, has become a consciousness-raising, family-friendly celebration that includes a market, parade and children's activities.

"About half of the participants come from out of town and we have many straight supporters who attend, " Narducci said. "Atlanta is a welcoming city for minorities. It has always been a leader in civil rights."

"This year the atmosphere will be more political as we unite to oppose the gay marriage ban amendment, but we'll still have fun. We need to celebrate the victories that we've had in recent years."

Some of those victories have come from GLBT organizations working quietly and steadily to bridge the gap between the straight and gay populations.

Fifteen members formed the Atlanta Executive Network as a gay business networking organization in 1992.

"At early meetings, some people didn't even put their last names on their nametags for fear of being identified, but as companies have adopted more open diversity policies, that's changed, " said Jamie Ensley, vice president of Decatur First Bank. "It's a great way to meet other professionals and expand my business and it gives the overall community a way to meet us as business people."

AEN's 450 members meet monthly to network and host high-profile business leaders from Atlanta's government, business and arts arenas. Speakers have included Bernie Marcus, Gov. Roy Barnes, Gov. Howard Dean, Susan Booth and J. Scott Wilfong.

"This organization helps us build bridges between different segments within the GLBT community and the straight community, " said Bonnie J. Barton, president of AEN and ERIC Inc., a business development company. "It validates our community when speakers tell us that our business is important to their business and I've never met a speaker who wasn't pleased with our organization."

"The fact that there are more openly-gay businesses in Atlanta means that more people are supporting them, " she said. "When I look at the back of my Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner invitation, I see that IBM, Delta Air Lines, Publix, Georgia Power and the AJC are sponsors. That would have been almost unheard of five years ago."

AGLCC member and banquet chair David Olt said the chamber has blossomed in recent years. Established in 1994 with a small business-development focus, the group of 160 companies has raised awareness of gay-owned businesses and is attracting larger corporate members with gay employees.
"It's a great resource of nuts-and-bolts information and support for all kinds of enterprises, " said Olt, a chiropractor.

Last year, the group changed its name from the nebulous-sounding Greater Atlanta Business Coalition to the Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

"Now people know who we are and what we do - everyone understands the concept of a chamber of commerce, " said Russell Clarke, chamber president and a financial planner.

The chamber helps Shirley Adams market her Come Out Dancing business, which uses dance events to fund-raise funds for nonprofit organizations.

"It's a good place. The chamber's long suit is supporting good ideas and launching new businesses and that's absolutely good for Atlanta, " Adams said.

"The chamber gives me access to people I'd never know about otherwise, and that's good for me and my business, " Clarke added. "Hopefully, we're getting past stereotypes to see the value of what all individuals bring to the table to grow Atlanta's economy."