Established in 1981 as the Gay Business Association, The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Business Association Inc. (SGLBA) was the first LGBTI Business Association in Australia. It evolved from the need for a safe place for LGBTI business people to meet like-minded professionals during a time when homosexuality was still a criminal offence in New South Wales. The SGLBA is one of the foundational LGBTI organisations in New South Wales, along with the AIDS Council of NSW (ACON), the NSW Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL), the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF), and the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) among others. Run entirely by volunteers in a not-for-profit capacity, it really is ‘of the community, for the community, by the community.’ We provide members and guests from both the LGBTI community and its allies, opportunities to gain knowledge, promote their business, and increase their network. We do this by delivering our members a diversity of complimentary or subsidised events, services, opportunities, and partnerships – either directly, or by partnering with other organisations. We provide opportunities for members to grow their business beyond the LGBTI community, and welcome engagement from across the business community. We believe there is one business community – not a ‘straight’ one or an ‘LGBTI’ one. Membership is open to professionals of any orientation who support the SGLBA and value the opportunities that membership presents.