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WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 23, 2010 - Just minutes after signing same-sex marriage into law, Argentina's President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner hosted an exclusive gathering of media and LGBT and human rights supporters,
including representatives from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).

Justin Nelson and Chance Mitchell, co-founders of the NGLCC, were two of the eight guests invited to speak with President Fernández de Kirchner following the landmark bill signing. Other guests included Pablo de Luca and
Gustavo Noguero, the co-founders of Argentina's LGBT Chamber of Commerce; Bob Witeck, owner of LGBT-certified Witeck-Combs Communications; and Michael Luongo, an American journalist who lives in both the U.S. and Argentina

"President Fernández de Kirchner seemed very interested in learning about the U.S. LGBT community and how newly legalized same-sex marriages might impact cultural tourism between our nations," Nelson said. "LGBT travelers from the United States spend more than $65 billion a year on tourism, so this new law could encourage travel to the area."

The private meeting, arranged by tourism minister Enrique Meyer, took place during the first ever American LGBT trade mission, the NGLCC South American Business and Cultural Exchange. During the trip, a small group of LGBT business leaders and NGLCC representatives met with top government officials, industry leaders, importers and Argentine LGBT entrepreneurs for six days of meetings and special events in Mendoza. NGLCC representatives also spoke at the gnetworks360 conference in Buenos Aires.

"We're incredibly encouraged by our visit with President Fernández de Kirchner. We're glad to see Argentina support human and LGBT rights and legalize same-sex marriages in her country. She called on this law to set an example for the rest of the region and the world, and we strongly echo that sentiment."

The NGLCC South American Business and Cultural Exchange lasts through July 27. Other upcoming NGLCC events include the 2010 National Business and Leadership Conference: Out for Business and National Dinner: An Evening of
Courage (November 18-20) in Washington, D.C.

About the NGLCC
The NGLCC is the business advocate and direct link between LGBT business owners, corporations and government. The NGLCC represents the interests of more than 1.4 million LGBT-owned businesses in the United States and is the
umbrella organization for 61 state, local and international LGBT chambers of commerce and business organizations. For more information on the NGLCC, to learn how to become a NGLCC certified business or for information on becoming a corporate partner, please visit www.nglcc.org or call 202.234.9181. Follow the NGLCC on Twitter @NGLCC or on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/nglcc.

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