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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.

Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce Call for Comprehensive LGBT Protections

Texas ranks last in new state equality index

AUSTIN, Texas (February 5, 2019) — In a blow to the state’s economic prosperity, Texas receives the worst rating in the new State Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation and the Equality Federation Institute. However, a new poll from the Public Religion Research Institute shows a majority of Texans support anti-discrimination laws protecting the state’s LGBT residents. 

Given Texas’ poor showing in the State Equality Index but its strong showing in the poll, the Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce believes it’s time for Texas lawmakers to pass legislation providing comprehensive protections for LGBT Texans, including long-needed statutes that would erase the risk of Texans being fired, evicted or denied services because of their LGBT identity. 

“Enacting basic protections for LGBT Texans is not only the right thing to do from the perspective of equality, but it’s also the right thing to do to ensure Texas continues to attract and retain equality-minded workers and employers,” said Tammi Wallace, co-founder and chair of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, a founding member of the Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce. 

In the HRC Foundation’s and Equality Federation Institute’s State Equality Index, Texas joins 27 states in the lowest-rated category — “High Priority to Achieve Basic Equality.”

“The State Equality Index is a shameful reflection on the sad state of LGBT equality in Texas,” Wallace said. “We can and must do better to ensure that key economic players — including employers like Apple and events like the Super Bowl — continue to consider Texas. It has been demonstrated that Texas stands to lose billions of dollars if lawmakers are successful in passing legislation that singles out LGBT Texans for discrimination.” 

In the current legislative session, non-discrimination bills have been filed by state Sen. José Rodriguez of El Paso, state Rep. Jessica Farrar of Houston and state Rep. Diego Bernal of San Antonio. Bills filed by state Sen. Charles Perry of Lubbock, state Sen. Bob Hall of Rockwall and state Rep. Bill Zedler of Arlington would make it legal for certain groups to discriminate against LGBT Texans. 

On Feb. 20, the Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce will hold its first-ever Advocacy Day at the Texas Capitol. During this event, representatives of the state’s LGBT chambers will visit with lawmakers to advocate for business issues important to the LGBT community. 

About the Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce 

Formed by the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce envisions a fully equitable, diverse and prosperous Texas. Our mission is to galvanize the collective power of the Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce. Collectively, the Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce represents more than 1,000 LGBT-owned and LGBT-allied businesses in Texas and beyond. 

For more information, visit texaslgbtchambers.com. 

Additional Info

Media Contact : Tammi Wallace (she|her|hers) / 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.