Public Policy

Legislative Advocacy

The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce advocates at all levels of government on behalf of our members and the broader LGBTQ+ Allied Business Community. We work every day to ensure that Texas becomes a state where every LGBTQ+-owned business has equal access to economic opportunity and prosperity.

From city hall to the nation’s capital, the Chamber’s legislative advocacy helps ensure that lawmakers understand the value of inclusive policies and recognize the issues important to our members’ businesses and economic development in the Greater Houston region.

We ensure that our members and the LGBTQ+ Allied Community are fully informed about proposed public policy and, when needed, draft Chamber position statements — making us a trusted source on current and future issues and legislation at the local, state and national levels. We also work to create and expand political alliances aligned with the Chamber’s mission and values. These alliance-building efforts benefit our members, our community and businesses within our region, amplifying our voices to impact key legislation.

Advocating in Austin

The Chamber’s legislative priorities are aligned with the responses from a survey completed by members. The Chamber also participates in a coalition spearheaded by the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce and including all four Texas LGBTQ Chambers, to develop on a coalition agenda each Texas Legislative Session.

Click here to read our full 2023 legislative agenda for the 88th Legislative Session (January 10, 2023-May 29, 2023).

Each year during the legislative session, the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce host a Day at the Capitol to give our members the opportunity connect with legislators and have a voice in Austin.

Unfortunately, during the 2023 Texas Legislative Session, the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce was not recognized with House and Senate resolutions as is customary. Read the Chambers’ message about the resolutions, and the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce statement.

These actions by some state lawmakers illustrate just how much work we still have to do in Texas. The Chamber will continue to advocate for our members and the LGBTQ+ community, but we'll need help to step up our efforts. Please consider sponsoring the Chamber's legislative advocacy.

Advocating in Washington, D.C.

In April 2024, Chamber Leadership traveled to the nation's capital to visit with elected leaders in the United States Congress.

Leaders of the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce met with members of the Houston Congressional Delegation in Washington D.C. to discuss issues of concern to our members and community. Chamber representatives, including Tammi Wallace, Co-Founder, President & CEO, Ray Purser, Director of Government Affairs, and Board Members, Stephen Miranda, Dr. Roy Rivera, Jr., visited Washington, D.C. to meet with our Congressional Delegation and the U.S. Small Business Administration and the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and share more about the work being done at the Chamber.