A few months ago, when I took on this new gig heading up the Bay Area’s LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, there was a lot of industry lingo I’d previously been unaware of.

“Supplier diversity.” “Procurement goals.” “LGBTBE-certified.”

At first, I frankly found this last one amusing and often joked about it with friends and prospective members. “Are you certifiably LGBTQ?” I’d demand of them, and invariably they’d reply, “How does one go about getting certified as LGBTQ? Do I have to provide documentary evidence? Like what, video proof?? And what will that get me anyway? Discount theater tickets?”