A letter from the Executive Director,
Jenn Tracz

So much can happen in just a matter of a few short months. CABO is in full swing for our 2011 membership drive and we are using CABO Cash as a driving force to make that a success (more info below). We're pleased to see our members making it into the news, such as Dena, our founder and president being named "40 Under 40," Sam Lehman, owner of Columbia Consulting Group landing a large contract due to the LGBT supplier diversity intuitive, and Victoria Ferrara for her landmark court ruling regarding parental rights in matters involving surrogacy and gestational agreements. CABO now also has 3 monthly breakfast networking events in New Haven, Westport and West Hartford that we strongly encourage you to join us at. As always we appreciate the suggestions and comments of our members, so if you have something you'd like to talk to us about call me at (203) 687-7233 or e-mail me at jtracz@thecabo.org. Have a happy Spring everyone!

In this newsletter

CABO Cash
Congratulations Dena!
LGBT Supplier Certification
A Success Story - Columbia Consulting
Tips from Murtha Cullina
What's new at Foxwoods
CABOgraphy
Special offers from Comcast & Bearingstar Insurance
CABO Member in the News

Dena Castricone named one of Connecticut
Magazine’s “40 Under 40”

On February 23, Dena Castricone was named one of Connecticut Magazine “40 Under 40” leaders for her trailblazing work establishing the first chamber of commerce in the state for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender-owned businesses and their allies.

Jenn Tracz, Executive Director of CABO said, “It’s fantastic to see Dena recognized for her drive and passion in creating business opportunities for individuals and corporations in Connecticut who not only are extremely talented, but who walk the walk for equality and justice for LGBT people. Thanks to her voice and countless hours of organizing, CABO is becoming an economic force in the state, and our member businesses are reaping the rewards.” Read the full story here.

Introducing CABO Cash
Referrals | Rewards | Recognition

What is CABO Cash? It's a way you can earn monetary credits, which can be used just like cash for CABO events, membership dues and marketing opportunities.
How can I receive CABO Cash?
It's simple - just refer new business members!
Click here for more details!

Reach 2,000+ people through CABO

Are you on Linked In, Facebook or Twitter? Are you looking to promote an event? If so, send us an e-mail with the event you are promoting and we will send it out on the CABO Linked In group, Facebook Group and Tweet it on your behalf.

10 Reasons Why Your Biz Should Be LGBT-Certified!

1)     Increase your visibility for your business within corporate America and the U.S. government!
2)     Give yourself Access to corporate decision makers
3)     Help Strengthen the impact of the LGBT business community and its political influence
4)     Incentivize your organization’s legal and financial documents and re-evaluation of business plan
5)     Get national recognition by America’s top corporations as a certified LGBTBE
6)     Receive a contact list of supplier diversity and procurement professionals from NGLCC corporate partners and government agencies
7)     Get the chance to be a Member in the Spotlight on the NGLCC home page (www.nglcc.org)
8)     Earn use of the NGLCC certified LGBT Business Enterprise logo on your marketing materials
9)     Eligible to attend/exhibit at NGLCC’s Conferences and regional events
10)  Be a part of Matchmaker Meetings at NGLCC signature events

Congrats to these recently LGBT-certified businesses.
Barmont Productions
Graven Imagery
JTracz Designs

NGLCC Supplier Diversity is huge benefit of belonging to CABO and the main goal of supplier diversity is to match LGBT owned businesses with NGLCC corporate partners to help create successful relationships where both parties benefit. If you own 51% of your business, are LGBT, and want to bring your business to the next level leveraging corporate relations, then NGLCC Supplier Certification is for you! Contact Jenn at jtracz@thecabo.org or (203) 687-7233 to get the process started today! Read the recent success story excerpt below to see how supplier diversity works and can benefit you.

A CABO member success story on a national level!

In an increasingly competitive IT services market and with a lackluster economy, IT staffing and consulting companies like Columbia Consulting Group, LLC (CCG) might find it challenging to land deals with corporate clients.

Luckily for CCG, the company's certification as an LGBT business from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) was just the ticket to connect with the widely respected professional audit, tax and advisory services firm, KPMG.

"Columbia Consulting is proof that the system works," said CCG co-founder, Sam Lehman. "We signed a deal with a Fortune 100 company as a result of our association with NGLCC." Read the rest of the article here.

The above is an excerpt from an article published by the NGLCC.

New Rules for Estate and Gift Taxes
Create Estate Planning Opportunities

For those who fell asleep during the interminable extra innings, the 2009 estate tax exemption was $3.5 million and the tax rate was 45%.  In 2010 the estate tax took a vacation, and in 2011 we were scheduled to return to a $1 million exemption and 55% maximum rate.  However, Congress and the President increased the exemption to $5 million and lowered the maximum rate to 35%.  More importantly, the gift tax exemption and rate will equal the estate tax numbers--$5 million per individual and a 35% rate thereafter.  The generation-skipping tax exemptions and rates follow the same pattern. 

 The new rules only apply to deaths in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and to gifts in 2011 and 2012.  These rules may survive beyond 2012, but for planning purposes, one should assume that they have a limited shelf life. 

Owners of assets likely to appreciate significantly have the chance to increase familial wealth and financial security, possibly at minimal tax cost.  Even if Congress rolls back the estate tax exemption, under the current law one who makes such gifts will have reduced the tax bite to one’s heirs.

The new gift and estate tax exemptions may produce the most significant estate tax savings for same-sex couples.  Federal law does not afford the marital deduction to same-sex couples, limiting their ability to transfer assets to one another without tax.  The new hefty exemptions permit same-sex partners to transfer substantial assets without federal or state gift tax consequences and thereby avoid the need for the marital deduction.

Bottom line:  For now, Congress and the President have created substantial gift and estate tax relief.    You can begin to plan again, but the future remains uncertain. Read more...  

Foxwoods, one of CABO's proudest sponsors invites you
to experience the "Wonder of it All"

Foxwoods Resort Casino, North America’s largest resort casino and one of CABO’s proudest sponsors, invites members and non-members alike to experience the “Wonder of it All” this spring with the very best gaming, entertainment, dining and nightlife options this side of Las Vegas.

On March 12, Foxwoods welcomes yet another world-class boxing event, featuring the highly-anticipated “Diamond Elite” WBC Middleweight Diamond Championship bout between Ring World Middleweight Champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez vs. WBO Super Welterweight Champion Serhhiy “Razor” Dzinziruk, at the MGM Grand Theater. The title fight will be broadcast live on HBO.

Anyone harboring fantasies about becoming the next Richard Hatch should head to Foxwoods Resort Casino on March 16, when the property hosts auditions for the CBS reality TV hit “Survivor” in the Grand Ballroom.

Foxwoods invites Dream Card holders to bring their four-leaf clovers, rabbit foots, and lucky pennies to North America’s largest resort casino during the Pot of Gold Cash Giveaway, where $25,000 in cash will be given away on St. Patrick’s Day during a party at Atrium Lounge. Free and open to the public, this not-to-miss celebration will feature Celtic Cross, a New York City based pop/folk band with a strong Celtic traditional influence.

For those looking to skate their way right into spring, MGM Grand at Foxwoods just announced that The Grand Rink at MGM Grand at Foxwoods will remain open through April 3. Adults skate for $10 + $5 skate rental; children 12 and under skate for $6 + $2 skate rental.
Rounding out Foxwoods’ commitment to providing something for everyone, the property welcomes a number of other nationally-renowned entertainers and concerts in 2011, including: Pat Benatar (March 18); The Judds (March 19); Bret Michaels (March 25); Jay Mohr (April 8); Harry Connick Jr. (April 22); and Jerry Seinfeld (May 13 & 14).

For more information, visit www.foxwoods.com or call 1-800-FOXWOODS.

Be front and center
in the CABO spotlight!   

We have amazing members with unique tales to tell; that's why we've launched CABOography, where we share your blockbuster histories, your passions and opinions, and your best-seller of a life on and off- the- clock. Besides being a great chance for other members to get to know you "up close and personal," its an awesome opportunity to strut your stuff and promote your biz, any special offers, events, etc. If you'd like to be featured or suggest another member for a profile, email Dan Weaver at Dan@BamontProductions.com. Let us put you in print and tell your story!

Below is a list of featured CABOgraphies:

March, 2011, Diana Lombardi, CT Trans Advocacy Coalition
February 2011, Anthony Cervoni | Bearingstar Insurance
January 2011, Adrienne Micci-Smith | Curtain Call
December 2010, Victoria Ferrara | Law Firm of Victoria T. Ferrara, P.C.
November 2010, Rob D'Errico | GHP Media

CABO Member in the News

On January 5, 2011, the Connecticut Supreme Court issued an historical decision regarding parental rights in matters involving surrogacy and gestational agreements.

Attorney Victoria Ferrara of the Law Firm of Victoria T. Ferrara, PC, Fairfield, Connecticut represented the Intended Parents, Anthony Raftopol and Scott Hargon throughout the litigation and the appeal. The lower court in Connecticut decided that a pre-birth court order naming the non-genetic parent, Scott Hargon, as the legal parent of the children to be born to their gestational carrier, Karma Ramey, was appropriate. The State of Connecticut appealed. The Connecticut Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s decision. Attorney Ferrara argued the appeal for Raftopol and Hargon. Amicus briefs were filed by GLAD, LAMBDA and the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys among others.

The Court that an Intended Parent to a Gestational Carrier Agreement who has no genetic relationship to the baby may establish his or her legal parental rights by way of a Pre-Birth Court Order. There is no longer a need in Connecticut for the non-genetic parent to go through adoption proceedings. Essentially, the Court created a new way to establish parental rights. While the court stated that there were already three methods of establishing parental rights: 1) giving birth to your own genetic child; 2) adoption; and 3) the birth of a parent’s genetic child via a gestational carrier, now the Court established a fourth manner to establish legal parental rights: An Intended Parent to a valid gestational agreement who is NOT genetically related to the child to be born, may establish legal parental rights by way of a pre-birth court order issued by Superior Court of Connecticut.

This is a major and most favorable decision for Intended Parents who are using egg donors or sperm donors in their gestational carrier arrangements. And of course for gay male couples since obviously one of the Intended Parents will not be genetically related to the baby or babies.