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What is the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce?

The Chamber is the leading voice for the LGBTQ+ and Allied Business Community in the Greater Houston region.

Mission: The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce accelerates economic opportunity for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer + business community through a strong network of business allies, innovative programs, strategic partnerships and advance policies that foster economic inclusion and equality.

The Chamber launched in 2016 to ensure representation for the LGBTQ+ Business Community.  The organization was founded by Co-Founders Tammi Wallace and Gary Wood.  The  Chamber is supported by members and Corporate Partners that invest in the mission of the organization.

Fast Facts:
  • Grown every year since the launch of the organization
  • Only business organization in the region focused on supporting and growing the LGBTQ+ and Allied Business Community
  • Working with the Chamber and the NGLCC, the City of Houston is the first city in Texas to recognize LGBT-owned businesses
  • Largest number of Certified LGBTBE® businesses in the State of Texas
Learn more about the Chamber here.

Chamber Condemns Action to Remove Protections for LGBTQ Texans

Discrimination against LGBTQ Texans has no place in our state


HOUSTON, TX (October 26, 2020) – The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce denounces the actions by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners and Behavioral Health Executive Council to remove from the social work Code of Conduct a prohibition on discrimination against clients because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

“Stripping away these protections for LGBTQ+ is Texans is deplorable.  This action is another example of where the leadership of our state grants a license to discriminate, said Tammi Wallace (she|her), Co-Founder and President & CEO of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce.  “LGBTQ and Allied Texans have said it thousands of times before, session after session, hearing after hearing, that discrimination has no place in our state.  Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric or discriminatory regulations or legislation, and especially coming from the leadership in our state, is bad for the State of Texas, bad for our economy, and, in this case, detrimental to the most vulnerable Texans.”

Texas continues to suffer the repercussions of anti-LGBTQ legislation including from the “bathroom bill” and an image of a discriminatory and anti-LGBTQ state.  States that attack and discriminate against the LGBTQ community have seen an economic hit in areas such as in tourism because companies are saying no to anti-LGBTQ discrimination, racial discrimination and any other form of discrimination that hurts Texans.  This disgraceful action shows that the leadership in Texas is not putting Texas or Texans first.

“This vote by the Texas state board of Social Work Examiners to remove protections for the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities is abhorrent. This goes against everything the social work creed stands for and social workers are the longest standing code of ethics in mental health, drafted by the NASW in 1960,” said Chamber Member, Dr. James S. Flowers (he|him), Ph.D, with J. Flowers Health Institute.  “This doesn't only go against the practice of Social work; it goes against the value of dignity and worth which are inherent of a human being. For anybody to legalize or legislate that people, a human being, are inherently less than is just a slap in the face of social work and society as a whole.”

Discrimination against LGBTQ Texans has no place in our state.  This action, questionable as to whether proper protocol and laws were followed and usurping of the Legislature, must be immediately rescinded and these protections reinstated.


About the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Established in February 2016, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to accelerate economic opportunity for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer + (LGBTQ+) business community through a strong network of business allies, innovative programs, strategic partnerships and advance policies that foster economic inclusion and equality.

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Additional Info

Media Contact : Tammi Wallace / 713-301-2266 / tammi.wallace@houstonlgbtchamber.com

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Listen to Chamber Leadership talk about the important work of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce focused on economic inclusion for the LGBTQ+ & Allied Business Community. The Chamber is at the intersection of business + community!

The Chamber provides tremendous value to member businesses through business development opportunities, marketing exposure to businesses and consumers, including the LGBTQ+ market, representation in the regional and national LGBTQ+ and business communities, resources for business growth and operation, and advocacy for equal rights and business-friendly public policy.

Media Inquiries:

For media inquiries, please contact 832-510-3002 or info@houstonlgbtchamber.com

The Chamber is always making news! Check out recent articles about the Chamber here.