Chamber donates additional $500 to national gay youth suicide prevention organization

The Rainbow Chamber of Commerce of Sacramento, a networking and advocacy organization for lesbian, bisexual, bisexual and transgender and LGBT-friendly businesses, has pledged a $10,000 contribution to the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center. The donation will be made in quarterly installments, with an initial $2,500 installment to be paid immediately.

Established in 1986, the non-profit Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center provides programs and services for at-risk lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth, mental health services and support groups for LGBT youth and adults, a free weekly legal clinic and numerous other services and produces annual community events such as Sacramento Pride and Lambda Awards.

“The Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center provides critically important services to those in our community who are most vulnerable,” said Rainbow Chamber President Fred Palmer. “The Center provides a central place for grass roots organizing and civil rights advocacy and for celebrating our achievements. The members of the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce realize how important it is that Sacramento have a healthy, vibrant gay and lesbian community center. We hope other organizations and individuals will follow our lead in supporting the Center, particularly now, when so many non-profit organizations are struggling.”

“On behalf of the Center board of directors and staff, we are grateful for the support of the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce,” said Bill Otton, interim executive director at the Center. “We regard the Chamber’s financial support as a vote of confidence that the organization is moving in a positive direction, as we work to increase community involvement with a new membership program and support for groups who address political, social, health, cultural and business issues facing our community.”

For more information about the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, visit http://www.saccenter.org.

The Chamber donated an additional $500 to the Trevor Project (http://www.thetrevorproject.org), the leading national suicide prevention organization LGBT and questioning youth. The Trevor Project operates the only accredited, nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBT and questioning youth (866-4-U-TREVOR).

The purpose of the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce is to promote networking among the gay and lesbian business community and its supporters; to enhance awareness of political and social issues; and to encourage involvement in charitable causes. For more information about the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, visit http://www.rainbowchamber.com.