Houston Creates LGBTQ+ Economic Empowerment Role to Boost Opportunity
New city position focuses on jobs, inclusion, and small business growth.
On October 28, 2025, Houston City Council member Mario Castillo announced a dynamic new position in Houston: the LGBTQ+ Economic Empowerment Coordinator within the city’s Office of Business Opportunity. This role is designed to help LGBTQ people in Houston—focusing on young people and seniors—gain better access to jobs, city services, and small business resources.
Several organizations worked together to create this new position, including the Office of Business Opportunity, the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, and the Montrose Center. Representatives from each group joined Castillo at the press conference announcement to show their support.
Castillo pointed out that several other cities already have similar jobs that connect LGBTQ communities with city resources. Houston’s version, Castillo said, will focus directly on economic development. He mentioned that LGBTQ youth are more likely to experience homelessness, and LGBTQ seniors often face financial struggles. The new coordinator will work to connect these groups with training programs, business help, and other city services.
This new position is being funded with money from Castillo’s council district service fund, with additional support from Council member Julian Ramirez’s budget. Castillo stressed the importance of making it easier for people in the LGBTQ community to move up economically and said the city will work to find and fix gaps in the services it provides. For now, the position will be part-time, but if it proves successful over the next year, the goal is to make it a full-time, citywide role in the next budget.
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Source : https://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2025/10/houston-lgbtq-economic-empowerment/