Media Room
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.
- 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

Chamber Joins as Plaintiff in Lawsuit Challenging Drag Ban Law
“SB 12 imposes unprecedented restrictions for our members including small businesses and nonprofits and jeopardizes their revenue and impacts their operations.”
Chamber Joins as Plaintiff in Lawsuit Challenging Drag Ban Law
“SB 12 imposes unprecedented restrictions for our members including small businesses and nonprofits and jeopardizes their revenue and impacts their operations.”
HOUSTON, TX (August 4, 2023) – The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce has joined the lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 12 (SB12), the “Drag Ban Bill” as a plaintiff. The lawsuit was filed by the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) on behalf of plaintiffs including the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, other Texas LGBT Chambers, VORTEX Repertory Company and individual performers.
SB12 is a discriminatory measure targeting LGBTQ+ Texans that violates the civil rights and freedoms of every Texan to express themselves through performance.
The law will go into effect on September 1, 2023. This bill’s enforcement is a blatant attempt to make drag a crime when performed in front of a minor, punishable by fines of up to $10,000 for each violation. The law’s vague language provides the opportunity to not only punish and criminalize drag performances, but theatre productions, cheerleaders, concerts, and other entertainment that may be considered sexually oriented.
“SB 12 imposes unprecedented restrictions for our members including small businesses and nonprofits and jeopardizes their revenue and impacts their operations. The law creates extreme burdens for our members on top of the challenges of running their day-to-day operations,” said Tammi Wallace, Co-Founder, President & CEO of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “We are spending valuable time and resources educating our members and the community about the severe consequences of this law, which is impacting our ability and opportunity to help small businesses and promote the Chamber’s mission focused on LGBTQ+ economic inclusion.”
This law has the ability to affect a number of industries, performers, and businesses - and will have a significant impact on how they generate revenue. Businesses that support these performances while in the presence of a minor, could face severe fines that could harm their ability to make money and operate regularly. It also leaves a clear path for business services to outright discriminate against these venues - for example, denying insurance coverage to the business owner.
Drag is not a crime. This law must be overturned to ensure that all Texans have the right to express themselves.
“The free expression of the LGBTQ+ community has always been targeted by those in power. SB12 is no different from old discriminatory laws that used to criminalize women who wore pants,” said Dustin Rynders (he/him), Criminal Injustice Program Director at the Texas Civil Rights Project. “But despite what some Texas politicians believe, we know that drag is not a crime.”
The Chamber, in collaboration with the Texas Civil Rights Project, will host a Know Your Rights Session to educate members and the community about this law and what it means for businesses, nonprofits and individual performers. The event will be held at KIKI, 2409 Grant Street, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on August 21st. Participants do not have to be a Chamber member to attend.
The Chamber is fighting this law because the state government does not have the authority to strip its citizens of these fundamental rights - and we deserve to live in a Texas that allows people to be themselves. Our members deserve the right to run their businesses without fear of unwarranted repercussions because of a baseless law.
The right for people to live, work, or perform authentically is something we are all entitled to, Texans should feel safe in our communities or places of business, and this law only emboldens harassment and hate.
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About the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce accelerates 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. Visit www.houstonlgbtchamber.com to learn more about the Chamber.
About the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP)
The Texas Civil Rights Project is boldly serving the movement for equality and justice in and out of the courts. We use our tools of litigation and legal advocacy to protect and advance the civil rights of everyone in Texas, and we partner with communities across the state to serve the rising movement for social justice. We undertake our work with a vision of a Texas in which all communities can thrive with dignity, justice and without fear. Visit www.txcivilrights.org to learn more about TCRP.
Additional Info
Media Contact : Tammi Wallace | Cell: 713-301-2266 | tammi.wallace@houstonlgbtchamber.com
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