Beginning February 13, the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a job fair for people who identify as LGBT and for businesses looking to diversify their workforces. Three job fairs across the state will focus on creating economic empowerment and opportunities for members of the LGBT community.
The Madison Job Fair on February 13 will take place at Union South on 1308 W. Dayton St from 5:30-7:30pm. The fair is free to attend and LGBT owned and allied businesses, corporations and professionals will be on hand to steer people towards employment.
“Despite progress that’s been made, the LGBT community still faces a lot of economic challenges to equality,” Annie Schmitz, the Managing Director of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce said in an interview. “People have difficulty with workplace discrimination, challenges at work. It’s bad for business in general and for LGBT workers. This fair is to help the LGBT community have access to these opportunities and help employers attract diverse backgrounds. Businesses with diversity have better outcomes in terms of business performance. So this is to provide LGBT people with the opportunity to network and find opportunities. But it is also to help employers.”
On March 5, the Chamber will host the Northeast LGBT job fair in Appleton at the Grand Meridian on 2621 N. Oneida St. That will also be from 5:30-7:30.
And then, on March 21, there will be an LGBT job fair in Milwaukee at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. It will be in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hilton on 509 W. Wisconsin Ave and that will run from 3:00-7:00om.
“We’re trying to do it a little bigger this year,” Schmitz said. “There’s a lot of studies that show LGBT supportive policies have a really positive impact on workers, on health outcomes. The workforce is more diverse. Millennials want to work at places that share their values. LGBT individuals want to spend money and be part of the economy. This is a good opportunity for businesses to show their inclusivity.”
At the job fair people can get professional headshots done for free (up to two per person). The Wisconsin chapter of the national LGBT Chamber of Commerce was recognized in 2015 as the National Chamber of the Year
