Weekly Online Content & Directory Targeting Toronto Gay Community Launches

GLBT Commerce Inc., a Canadian, gay-owned and operated media company today announced the launch of Pride Connex http://www.prideconnex.com Canada's weekly online gay and lesbian relevant lifestyle directory and content publication, originating in and launching from Toronto.

Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) July 9, 2003 - GLBT Commerce Inc., a Canadian, gay-owned and operated media company today announced the launch of Pride Connex http://www.prideconnex.com Canada's weekly online gay and lesbian relevant lifestyle directory and content publication, originating in and launching from Toronto.

"Following a long, hard look at Canada's GLBT market, we felt there existed an opportunity to create a product that met both the needs of Canada's corporate marketing community, and of the gay and lesbian community in this country," says Darren Royea, President & CEO. "The obvious channel was via the Internet, based on the habituation and technology use of both gay men and women. The necessary product, Pride Connex . A hybrid directory and content resource, the production values of Pride Connex emulate a glossy magazine format, adhering to strict content and editorial standards, restricting pornography, prostitution, nudity, or offensive content from publishing or advertising, therefore making it an attractive and natural marketing vehicle for high-end, lifestyle based products. That is no accident. As demonstrated by both national and international GLBT issues, not the least of which includes same-sex marriage, the gay and lesbian community has grown-up. We have created a product that we feel grown-ups will want to read, to engage, to become immersed and involved in."

"As Canada's largest market, in terms of the advertising and marketing community, the business community and the gay community, Toronto is a logical and necessary launch city choice. We welcome the challenge of developing this market to meet the needs, not the perceived stereotypes, of the gay and lesbian community," Royea states.

"We are also pleased to be able to announce that our premiere launch issue features an interview with Robert Gant who readers will recognize plays Ben Bruckner on the Showtime/Showcase series Queer As Folk," Royea adds. "As the series is filmed on location in Toronto, we felt it fitting that Gant offer his perspective on some of Toronto's jewels and some of his personal haunts. We are obviously grateful that he agreed to do so."

"Whether through editorial content or marketing messages, Pride Connex is about inclusiveness," Royea states. "We are reaching out to all the members of the GLBT community, and offering them a dialogue with companies and businesses with a context that they can understand on their own terms; a comprehension that gay men and women are a vital part of their business, and their bottom line. To be sure, we are a diversity marketing company, but our ultimate goal is one of inclusiveness. Attitudinally, we are fortunate enough to bear witness to cosmic shifts across this country and across this world such as same-sex marriage, gay adoption, immigration and other such issues. In terms of sheer economics, the pink dollar, aging population, disposable income , retirement saving and others are equally salient issues that every business should be analyzing carefully and closely in terms of ROI."

"To compliment our editorial content, advertiser response has far surpassed our expectations and to date includes Le Meridien - The King Edward Hotel, Stoney Ridge Estate Wineries, The Flight Centre and The St. Lawrence Market, among others. We are, however, equally proud of the response and the commitment of local gay-friendly or gay-owned and operated businesses. Pride Connex launches with well over 300 directory listings detailing products, services and organizations within the Toronto-area and of interest to the GLBT community in their everyday lives. This is only the beginning as the commitment of advertisers and businesses alike have made to the launch of our newest product will always be reflected by our commitment to the integrity of Pride Connex production values.

About GLBT Commerce Inc.,

GLBT Commerce Inc., is a Canadian, gay-owned and operated media company created and launched in 2002. Federally registered, the company creates leading edge marketing vehicles, including their flagship product, Pride Connex, to connect and compel a sustained dialogue between the nation's leading marketers and Canada's lucrative, sophisticated, early-adopter and influencing gay and lesbian consumer segment.