Billy Eichner and Dyllón Burnside Join Unleashed LGBTQ Live Event - September 2023
Joining a Powerful Lineup of Talent, including Antoni Porowski, Indya Moore, Shangela, and other Industry Leaders making Noise in the LGBTQ+ Market
DALLAS — APRIL 25, 2023 — Unleashed LGBTQ, a first-of-its-kind conference and entertainment festival creating a space for brands, artists, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, is thrilled to announce new talent joining its lineup, including Billy Eichner and Dyllón Burnside, for its first live and in-person Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 conference, taking place at Gilley’s in Dallas, Texas, from September 22 - 24, 2023. Unleashed event organizers also welcome iHeartMedia back as media partners to activate the programming as the official audio partners for the festival’s first ever in-person event.
"Our first live, in-person, event is going to create a synergy between talent, the business community and the entertainment industry in a way no LGBTQ+ event has ever done before,” said Founder, Wesley Smoot. “Companies sending representatives to our event will be able to take advantage of all opportunities available, whether it’s for educational purposes, networking or entertainment, LGBTQ+ professionals or others focused on allyship, will reap the benefits of our educational and entertainment-based lineup. We have dedicated an entire area to workshops for attendees to learn new skills from today's thought leaders and we’re confident companies sending entire departments to Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 will have a more informed, supercharged team that will be lightyears ahead of other brands.”
Each day at Unleashed LGBTQ will begin with educational topics — from workshops and panels discussing business (advertising, marketing, DEI), society (non-profit, advocacy), and personal (financial planning, continuing education) development – and will feature high-tech brand activations and experiential marketing installments throughout the venue, before transitioning to entertainment that will include screenings, drag shows, stand-up comedy, and musical performances. Attendees will be enriched by professional development and networking opportunities through the Unleashed LGBTQ event app (developed by WebEx/Cisco) and at specialized mixers and unique branded activations through the award-winning Freeman event services.
The growing lineup of talent will include:
● Billy Eichner Co-writer and Star of Bros (Universal Pictures), Billy on the Street, The Lion King (Disney), American Horror Story (FX), Difficult People (Hulu)
● Antoni Porowski Emmy-Award Winning Show Queer Eye (Netflix), Host of Easy Bake Battle (Netflix), Author of Antoni in the Kitchen & Antoni: Let's do Dinner
● Indya Moore Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Yves Saint Laurent Cosmetics, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
● Shangela Emmy Award-Winning Shows We're Here (HBO), RuPaul's Drag Race, & RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (MTV)
● Dyllon Burnside Emmy Award-Winning Show Pose,Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Emmy-Award winning PBS docuseries PRIDELAND, Golden Globe nominated limited series MONSTER. GLAAD & HRC award recipient
● Daniel Franzese, Mean Girls (Paramount Pictures), Ru Paul's Drag Race (MTV), Looking (HBO)
● Kelly Ann Winget, Founder & CEO of Alternative Wealth Partners, Over $1B in private equity raised, Host of The Wealth Alpha podcast, and Author of Pitch the Bitch (April 2023)
● Brian Sims, Former Penn State Rep., LGBTQ+ Advocate & Speaker, Managing Director of Government Affairs & Policy at Out Leadership, Board Member at Campus Pride & GLSEN
● Naomi Green, MBA Speaker, Marketer, Professor, and Transgender Advocate
● Ashley Brundage, President & CEO of Empowering Differences, Author of Empowering Differences, Transgender Advocate, Former DEI Vice President at PNC Bank, Mother
● Dr. Carlton Thomas, Gastro-Intestinal Medical Doctor, Social Media Sensation, Contributor to Men's Health Magazine, LGBTQ+ Consultant to the White House & the CDC
● Matt Skallerud, Founder & President of Pink Media, Host of #iLoveGayToday, former President of IGLTA, Award-Winning Online Marketer connecting businesses to the LGBTQ+ consumers
● Vicky & Charisse Pasche, Co-Founders of Dapper Boi – body-inclusive and gender-neutral apparel – Marketing, Sales, and Entrepreneurial Experts, Wives and Mothers of Twins
● Stacey Stevenson, CEO of Family Equality, Co-Founder of The Changists (Law Firm Consulting), LGBTQ+ Activist, Speaker, Mother of Two
● Gary Sanchez Sr., Director of Community Impact at Visit Dallas, Former Chairman at North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Chairman at Chamber Foundation
● Brad Pritchett, Award-Winning Marketing Executive, Chief Experience Officer at DMA (Dallas Museum of Art), Host of The Good, The Brad, & The Ugly podcast
Unleashed LGBTQ is also partnering with the iconic Alamo Drafthouse to host screenings of new LGBTQ+ content from streaming services, movie studios, and television networks. Independent filmmakers can submit works for Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 Film Festival at:
https://www.filmfreeway.com/unleashedlgbtq
Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is proud to have received support, endorsements, and/or grants from the following organizations: DTPID (Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District), Visit Dallas, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, NLGCC (National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), & IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association).
Other partners include Gilead Sciences, iHeart Media, equalpride, and Kelly Ann Winget.
About UNLEASHED LGBTQ, LLC
Unleashed LGBTQ, a space for brands, entertainers, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, will host its inaugural, live event September 22nd - 24th, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. Attendees can learn about the latest products, services, and campaigns debuting in the LGBTQ+ market in a fun and interactive environment. Unleashed LGBTQ provides premier networking opportunities for professionals in a variety of industries. Unleashed LGBTQ will host speakers, panels, and performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ culture, including film, television, music, and business. Stay tuned for additional Talent announcements.
Tickets are currently on sale on the event website here: https://www.unleashedlgbtq.com For more information on partnerships and company group rates visit: www.unleashedlgbtq.com
CONTACT:
Nicole Rodrigues
NRPR Group for Unleashed LGBTQ
Nicole@nrprgroup.com
424-421-9610
To request press credentials email:
press@unleashedlgbtq.com
Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce Stand Against Discrimination to Remind Texas Lawmakers that “Business is Business”
Washington, D.C. — The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the national business voice of the LGBTQ community, stands with the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce as they fight to recognize LGBTQ-owned businesses in Texas contracting and procurement opportunities, most recently during “Business is Business” Day at the Texas Capitol. Members of the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce stood in the face of discrimination during the event as planned resolutions recognizing the Texas LGBTQ+ business community were denied.
“We are very proud of our affiliates that comprise the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, a coalition of the Austin LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce, for standing up for what is right for thousands of Texas LGBTQ-owned businesses that are a vital part of the Texas economy,” said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson.
The NGLCC affiliates that make up the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce advocate for Texas legislators to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in workplaces statewide and to oppose discrimination in all forms against the LGBTQ+ community. The coalition gathered at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 to support passage of House Resolution 155 and Senate Resolution 163 as an acknowledgment of the contributions of LGBTQ+ business owners to the economy alongside other state business coalitions on the floor. Ultimately, certain legislators stated they intended on opposing both resolutions, and as a result, the resolutions were pulled altogether, with formal recognition only being granted to non-LGBTQ business coalitions in attendance.
Alongside the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, we call on Texas legislators to remember that their economy succeeds only when there is a fully engaged and protected citizenry, workforce, and supply chain free from fear, bias, and discrimination. We applaud Representative Jessica González, Vice Chair of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus, for standing up for the rights of LGBTQ+ Texans by filing House Bill 2182, which seeks to add LGBTQIA+ owned businesses to the Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program.
Over half of all American states have opted to include LGBTQ-owned businesses in contracting & procurement opportunities, with major cities like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Houston, and Nashville also signing on to recognize LGBTQ+ companies as diverse suppliers. Nearly 450 major Fortune 100 and 500 NGLCC Corporate Partners agree that discrimination is bad for business, and that including Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers is an essential step towards internal and external diversity, equity, & inclusion.
“Inclusive policies build stronger economies, especially since LGBTQ-owned businesses nationwide contribute over $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy,” said Nelson. “NGLCC condemns the failure of the Texas House and Senate to recognize the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce at “Business is Business” Day, and urges Texas lawmakers to pass HB2182 to further their commitment to building a prosperous state economy.”
Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC has been certified as a LGBT Enterprise by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
For Immediate Release
Febuary 20, 2023
Dallas, TX – Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is proud to announce their recent certification as an LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE®️) through the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Supplier Diversity Initiative. The NGLCC is the business voice of the LGBT community and serves as the nation’s exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned and operated businesses.
“On behalf of the entire National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), it is our distinct honor and pleasure to send Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC our congratulations! I am happy to inform you that the NGLCC Certification Committee has officially approved your application for Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) certification through the NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative.”
Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is now eligible to participate in the NGLCC’s corporate partners’ supplier diversity programs, can take advantage of the vast educational opportunities promoted by the NGLCC and will work to foster business relationships with other LGBTBEs worldwide.
“Unleashed LGBTQ’s primary goal, from day one, has been to work with LGBTQ+ brands, supportive corporate partners, and of course, largest LGBTQ+ voices. Thank you to the NGLCC, we are honored to be certified by your organization, we can’t wait to partner with other organizations in this valuable and inclusive business community,” said Wesley Smoot- Unleashed LGBTQ Founder & CEO
About UNLEASHED LGBTQ, LLC
Unleashed LGBTQ is creating a space for brands, entertainers, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect. Attendees can learn about the latest products, services, and campaigns entering the LGBTQ+ market in a fun and interactive environment. Unleashed LGBTQ provides premier networking opportunities for professionals in a variety of industries. Unleashed LGBTQ will host speakers, panels, and performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ culture— including film, television, music, and business.
About NGLCC
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business voice of the LGBT community and the exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned businesses. With more than 200 corporate partners, and 62 local, state, and international affiliate chambers, NGLCC is the largest LGBT business development and economic advocacy organization in the world. www.nglcc.org