HOUSTON, TX (October 7, 2020) – The Chamber is proud to announce that Chamber Member, BUDDY’s Houston, has been selected by Harris County to serve as a polling location on Election Day. BUDDY’S is the first ever LGBTQ-owned bar to serve as a polling location.

BUDDY’S Houston is located at 2409 Grant St STE A, Houston, TX 77006 in the heart of Montrose.  With a tag line, “EveryBUDDY'S Welcome,” BUDDY’S owner Christopher Barry is taking this slogan to a whole new level with his commitment to open his business as one of Harris County’s Election Day polling locations.

“BUDDY’S is honored to serve as a Harris County polling location on Election Day, said Christopher Barry, Owner of BUDDY’S Houston.  “Offering our location as a polling location was an easy decision.  It’s important that we do our part for the community as well as our civic responsibility.”  Barry reached out to the Harris County Clerk’s Office to offer BUDDY’S as an Election Day location and worked with their staff to ensure all requirements were met.

“I’m excited to have inclusive voting centers like BUDDY’s for the November 3 election,” said Chris Hollins, Harris County Clerk. “We’re planning for historic turnout in Harris County, and we're grateful for local businesses like BUDDY’s that will welcome all voters and support the right to vote for every community.”

As the Chief Election Officer of the third largest county in the United States, Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins has the responsibility to ensure that each citizen has the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

“I applaud Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins and his team for ensuring that access to voting is available to all communities and reflects the diversity of Harris County.  What a statement about inclusivity from Harris County to include an LGBTQ-owned business as one of the polling locations,” said Tammi Wallace, Co-Founder and President & CEO. “We have incredible members who do amazing work in the community and BUDDY’s Houston is no exception with this decision to step up to the serve as a voting location.”

Election Day is on Tuesday, November 3.  Information about voting including poll locations can be found at HarrisVotes.com. Leading up to Election Day, the Chamber will be promoting BUDDY’s Houston as a polling location and encouraging the LGBTQ+ community to get out and vote.

Early Voting starts on Tuesday, October 13 and runs through Friday, October 30.  The Chamber has partnered with the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce on Out To Vote Early (www.texaslgbtchambers.com/out-to-vote/). 

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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