Orlando's transgender community has a new platform. The Transgender Women's Business Council, launched in early June.
“The goal is to have a very clear voice for transsexual women and to also reach out locally to other transitioning women and be a resource guide to them,” said the Council's president, CPA Laura Barbery. “The council is going to be made up of successful, transitioned business women.”
Barbery said there are currently nine members meeting once a month, and they plan to cap membership at 11 members.
“Our ultimate goal is to model what we do and allow other LGBT communities to adapt our model so it spreads more grassroots,” she said. “We're encouraging other members under the T umbrella to form the same types of committees so every group under the T will have a very clear voice to articulate what their goals are.”
Because the group is relatively new, Barbery said its stilling defining itself and formulating ideas. However, one partnership has already formed with the Zebra Coalition, a coalition of LGBT youth organizations. She said the group hopes to mentor homeless transgender youth.
