Frank Maher is leading an effort to create a gay chamber of commerce, of sorts, in Rhode Island.
Maher, the director of major gifts at Trinity Repertory Company, and financial adviser J.C. Standish have organized the Gay Professionals Network of Rhode Island, a group that has already met several times since November and has signed up about 25 members. Maher says he’d like to have 100 members by the end of the year.
Their efforts have attracted the attention of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, which has inquired about setting up a Rhode Island affiliate. But Maher says he’d like the local group to get up to speed before making any commitments. He recently spoke with Providence Business News about the network for gay professionals.
PBN: Why do you think a gay business group is necessary? There are already regional chambers of commerce in place.
MAHER: With the gay network, we wanted to showcase both our stature and power in the community. I’ve never been one to be out there lobbying for gay rights or marriage. I have a partner, two homes, a child we’ve adopted. We are married. I don’t have time or the energy to focus on the lobbying. I’m hoping this group can put together some demographics of who we represent from the business community. … We want people to know that their voice has power and weight.
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PBN: So what is the purpose of the Gay Professionals Network of Rhode Island?
MAHER: To raise awareness of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) professional. This network will be a place to showcase gay professionals. I think there are so many people out there who don’t identify as gay, and if they did, the community would be much more respected.
PBN: What inspired you to start the group?
MAHER: The Greater Boston Business Council. They are a gay chamber of commerce of about 2,600 members, of which 260 of them live in Rhode Island zip codes. I had attended some of their events when I worked in Boston. I found them to be a great networking tool. …
PBN: Has a group such as this been formed locally before?
MAHER: There was this other group called the Network 15 years ago. Their group allowed gay professionals to gather, but it wasn’t known as a gay group. They were closeted gays. That was a social thing, but [this new group] is not social. This is a business … organization that will promote networking and support philanthropic causes. No one’s going to make money from this; we’re going to raise money, and the members will vote on what we support.
PBN: Has there been any negative feedback?
MAHER: Two friends of mine who I thought would want to be involved, they said that they felt society was strong enough that they didn’t need to be involved with a gay-only group. But it’s not a gay-only group. We’re just like the NAACP, or Latinos for America – it’s a voice for the community.
We’ve had several politicians – and not just the gay ones – say they’re interested in being on the mailing list and invited to events. All the politicians who are against gay marriage in Rhode Island I’ve made a point to include them on the mailing list.
PBN: You’ve already held several gatherings. What business sectors are represented in your membership?
MAHER: A lot from the financial industry. That’s no surprise because everybody who sells financial services wants to be involved in the gay and lesbian community because they think we all have money.
There are lawyers, doctors, social workers, nonprofit organizations, educators from Brown University, administrators.
We had a huge board the first night and it listed more than 200 job titles. And we said, “Are you represented?” The point of that was to say, “You work in these fields and, wow, we have gay everything.” There’s no industry in this state, from priest to politicians, that there are no gay representatives.
PBN: So there are some members who are not gay or lesbian? They just want to tap into the group for networking?
MAHER: I only know of one straight member. Everyone else who has joined has publicly said they are gay or lesbian. I think the focus will be on, if you’re a member you support the Gay Professionals Network.
PBN: When you ask people why they are joining, what do they say?
MAHER: The overwhelming response is that they want their voice to be heard. And they want [to network]. … This is not a political group; this is a group [for] networking that, if the demographics help political groups who are members, terrific.
PBN: So, will there be a lobbying arm of the network?
MAHER: I don’t think so. The membership will decide what the focus will be. When we met last the focus was going to be looking at the demographics. And they wanted … to determine which [local] businesses identify as gay-owned or gay friendly. •
INTERVIEW
Frank Maher
POSITION: Director of major gifts at Trinity Repertory Co.;
co-founder of the Gay Professionals Network of Rhode Island
BACKGROUND: Before joining Trinity Rep in 2007, Maher worked as a development director or director of major gifts for several nonprofits in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including the American Red Cross of Greater Massachusetts, the regional chapter of the National Kidney Foundation and the regional chapter of Easter Seals.
EDUCATION: Associate’s degree in accounting, 1992, Bryant University; B.A. in marketing and communications, 1995, Johnson & Wales University
FIRST JOB: At 16, he ran his own landscaping company.
RESIDENCE:
Pawtucket
AGE: 37
