May 5, 2021 / Press Release

Hicks leads local chamber’s effort to have Pittsburgh enact LGBTQ+ procurement inclusion legislation

Porter Wright’s Ron Hicks worked with Pittsburgh leaders and the local and national LGBTQ+ chambers of commerce to craft legislation to include LGBTQ+ certified businesses within the city’s procurement process.

The city announced in a press release on April 27, 2021 new legislation to allow LGBTQ+ business owners to register with the city’s procurement platform to have access to business development and trainings the city offers to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE’s). After its introduction, the legislation was discussed and unanimously recommended for passage by Pittsburgh City Council at the City Council Standing Committee meeting on May 5, 2021.

Ron, who serves as president of the Three Rivers Business Alliance (3RBA), worked with city council, the mayor’s office and others on crafting the legislation. Ron expressed his appreciation for the legislation in a release from 3RBA.

“With this legislation, Pittsburgh joins the growing number of metropolitan areas which include NGLCC-certified LGBT Business Enterprises among the City’s pool of certified companies to ensure they have equitable access to contracting and procurement opportunities throughout the City. For LGBT citizens, this inclusive initiative provides fair and equal access to contracting opportunities and economic development programs that drive innovation, create jobs, and promote economic growth throughout the Greater Allegheny region. We are glad to be a part of this historic legislation, and we look forward to working with other municipal authorities and private companies to diversify their supplier networks,” said 3RBA’s President Ronald L. Hicks, Jr., of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP.