Howe Named Executive Director of Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce

The woman who sparked a local and national debate on workplace discrimination and helped change a private school’s discrimination policy has been hired as the first ever executive director of the Nashville GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) Chamber of Commerce.

Lisa Howe, a former soccer coach at Belmont University, was vaulted into the national spotlight after she came out at Belmont to share with her team that her partner, Wendy Holleman, was due to have a baby.  A week later she left her job. Initially the school announced Howe’s resignation. A day later, Belmont changed its tune, saying the two parties reached a mutual agreement to end Howe’s employment there. Soon after, amid much controversy, Belmont President Bob Fisher announced the school had added sexual orientation to its discrimination policy.  There was also a push for a Metro Nashville ordinance that would require any company or business that contracted with Metro government — including Belmont — to have in place an antidiscrimination policy that includes gays and lesbians. The bill ultimately passed, but the state legislature and Gov. Bill Haslam overturned it.

"Lisa Howe knows first-hand how it is to come out in the work place and suffer discrimination because of sexual orientation,” said Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce President Michael Fluck. “After a national search we are pleased to announce that she is the first ever full time executive director for the Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce. She has a passion for workplace equality that can’t be matched and is the perfect fit as our new executive director.”Fluck said Howe not only had the management skills to run the chamber, but her qualities as a former coach would prove invaluable in moving the NGLBTCC forward.

“In her six years at Belmont, Howe turned a losing team into Atlantic Sun Conference champions and was named conference Coach of the Year in 2009,” Fluck said.Howe said that she knew this was the right position when she saw it advertised. After her separation with Belmont, she said she knew she wanted to be an advocate for work place equality.

“The Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce executive director position was the perfect job to fulfill my goals and vision,” she said.

Howe started her new job on Feb. 1. Her responsibilities include oversight and management of day-to-day operations; membership recruitment and retention; corporate partnership development; calendar development; recruitment and oversight of volunteers and the development and execution of an annual fundraiser.
Since the Belmont incident Howe has spoken to dozens of media outlets about being a gay Christian, coming out, and equality.  About The NGLBTCC:
The Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce
is dedicated to economic growth and cultural discoveries for the GLBT community in the Nashville area. We offer educational programming to improve our skills in the business environment and extend networking opportunities to grow our companies within and outside our community.

The NGLBTCC has more than 125 members, made up of individuals, small businesses and large corporations. For more information visit www.nglbtcc.org .

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

Keep readingShow less
by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

Keep readingShow less

Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

Keep readingShow less