Texas LGBTQ+ Chambers of Commerce Members Visit Lawmakers at Capitol for Valentine’s Day

*Audio and video (STOs) available upon request*

February 14, 2023

Austin – Close to 50 members of the Texas LGBTQ+ Chambers of Commerce, a joint effort by the Austin, Houston, North Texas, and San Antonio LGBTQ+ Chambers of commerce, visited the Texas Capitol on Valentine’s Day to remind Texas lawmakers that Business is Business in the Lone Star State.

Chamber members met with their representatives and delivered a Valentine that outlined their support for a legislative session that focuses on business issues and keeping Texas open and competitive for all business. (Click here to view the Valentine Card.)

“It was great to have so many members of the Texas LGBTQ+ Chambers at the Capitol on Valentine’s Day,” said Representative Mary González, Chair of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus. “It is important that my colleagues see and hear from business owners in the LGBTQIA+ community and really understand what kind of impact that proposed legislation might have on not only their constituents personally and their families, but on their businesses and their employees. Impacts of discriminatory legislation are felt throughout the state, including in our business community and their ability to recruit and retain talent.”

Chamber Members also voiced support of House Bill 2182, a bill filed by Representative Jessica González that will add LGBTQIA+ owned businesses to the “historically underutilized business” category and create more opportunity for LGBTQIA+ owned business to bid on and receive government contracts.

“Houston, Austin, and San Antonio have already enacted policies that consider LGBTQIA+ owned business in city projects,” said Representative Jessica González, Vice Chair of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus. “We have existing statute that already considers minority owned businesses in state contracts and adding the LGBTQIA+ community to that list is common sense.”

For some of the chamber members, this was their first time visiting the Texas Capitol or advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community at this level. This was true of Don Mamone of the North Texas LGBTQ+ Chamber, who, following opposition from the House and Senate to resolutions put forth by the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, stated:

“As proud Texans and small business owners, we are disappointed in the opposition of today’s House resolution (HR 155) and Senate Resolution (SR 163) welcoming our chambers to the Texas Capitol and recognizing the contributions of more than 1,000 LGBTQ+-owned and allied businesses from areas in and around Austin, Houston, North Texas and San Antonio,” they said.

“Simple resolutions like this express congratulations and recognize individuals and organizations across our great state who work to make Texas a better place to live and work,” they continued. “Business is Business and recognizing all businesses in the state is important to acknowledge and support the diverse communities that make up the whole of Texas.”

(Read the full statement here.)

The Texas LGBTQ+ Chambers will continue to monitor legislation as the session progresses and providing opportunities for their members to engage. To learn more visit www.texaslgbtqchambers.com. Additional photos from the event can be found here.