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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.
- 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
Chambers Call for an End to Anti-LGBTQ Discriminatory Legislation
Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce speak out in opposition to multiple anti-LGBTQ bills that discriminate against LGBTQ Texans and more specifically, transgender individuals and transgender youths.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Angela Hale, Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, 512.289.2995 angela@redmediagroup.com
Chambers Call for an End to Anti-LGBTQ Discriminatory Legislation
(2021-04-19 – Austin, TX) Participating at today’s Texas Capitol press conference organized by Texas Competes, the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce stated, “As chambers of commerce, we advocate for and support legislation that benefits businesses – small businesses, but we also look out for harmful legislation that targets any members of our community, because when you attack one of us, you attack all of us.”
These remarks were made by Gary Sanchez, Board Chair for the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce and 1,000+ collective member businesses of the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, North Texas LGBT Chamber and San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce, in opposition to multiple anti-LGBTQ bills that discriminate against LGBTQ Texans and more specifically, transgender individuals and transgender youths.
“Children deserve to participate fully in their school community,” Sanchez said. “These discriminatory bills will Tarnish Texas’ welcoming brand, and will have long-lasting negative affects to our economy, and more importantly, fellow Texans.”
“We are asking State leaders to remember the small businesses of this state, and the Texans they employ. The small businesses that survived the pandemic are on their way to recovery, and now more than ever, our State must support these businesses by keeping Texas a welcoming state to live, work, visit and do business in.”
In addition to comments made by Mr. Sanchez, others in attendance to encourage the defeat of the legislation included Tina Cannon, CEO, Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Lisa Hermes, CEO, McKinney Chamber of Commerce, Jessica Shortall, Texas Competes, David Najjab, GearBox and Servando Esparza, TechNet.
Media Contacts:
- Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce Tina Cannon, CEO 512-922-2511
- Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Tammi Wallace, Co-Founder, President & CEO 713-301-2266 - North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce Waylon Tate, Media Relations 214-613-0073
- San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce Melissa Ochoa, Board President 210-310-4938
About the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce:
Texas LGBTQ Chambers is a coalition of the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce. We work to achieve equality and inclusion by promoting economic vitality in our communities and strengthening LGBTQ and ally businesses. The 1,000+ LGBTQ and Allied businesses of the Chambers speak with one voice. We call upon our local elected representatives to introduce or support legislation that supports diversity in the workplace and opposes discrimination. We know, in Texas, when business thrives, people prosper. For this to happen, all Texans must be included and respected.
Learn more at https://TexasLGBTQChambers.com
Additional Media Contacts
Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Tina Cannon, 512-761-5428, tcannon@austinlgbtchamber.com
Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Tammi Wallace, 713-301-2266; tammi.wallace@houstonlgbtchamber.com
North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Waylon Tate, 214-613-0073, waylon@jwaylon.com
San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Melissa Ochoa, 210-504-9429, president@salgbtchamber.org
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