As the rain swirled and the temperature dropped on Friday afternoon, decorations were going up, spirits were high at Bedford Park Tax Inc., and Rev. Carmen Hernandez had reason to celebrate.

“It’s the first chapter of the NYC LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and I’m excited it’s here in the Bronx,” said Hernandez.

A single mother of nine who was raised on Willis Avenue in the Bronx, Hernandez founded the first-ever NYC LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Chamber of Commerce in 2007.

“Our purpose is to connect business owners of diverse backgrounds from the LGBT and straight communities to help build better relationships in those communities,” said Hernandez who is also an ordained “street” evangelist.

“We need to better support our local businesses,” she added. “When we have block parties, it’s the local businesses like Bedford Park Tax Inc. that help us out. The big corporations just give us an 800 number to call. It’s just sad.”

Hernandez’s chamber aims to implement a variety of services and programs for LGBT businesses in the Bronx and the rest of New York City, through education, networking, youth entrepreneurship, assistance with minority business certification, and facilitation of innovative projects, according to its website.

“The partnership between NYC LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Bedford Park Tax Inc. is a good one,” said Tax Inc. owner Mark Rodriguez.

“It’s getting harder and harder for individuals to find the resources they need to start a business,” he added. “I see what’s going on in our community and with our youth, and I want to help. I believe with this collaboration, we can start pointing people in the right direction.”

First-of-its-kind of experiences are not unusual for Hernandez, “I’m proud of the fact that I was the first same-sex marriage performed here in the Bronx,” she said. “The signed proclamation I received from Governor Cuomo means a lot to me.”

The NYC LGBT Chamber of Commerce is opening its second chapter in Brooklyn on March 6.

Ed. note: Bedford Park Tax, Inc. is located at 394 Bedford Park Blvd, just off Webster Avenue. The office number is (718) 584-3868. For more information on the NYC LGBT Chamber of Commerce, visit www.nyclgbtcc.com.