Inaugural Chamber Mayoral Forum is a Huge Success! | |
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The Chamber hosted the inaugural Mayoral Forum at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum on September 8th. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this important event.
We appreciate the participation from the candidates.
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Check out more photos here. | |
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Senator Whitmire regrets that he was unable to participate in-person. His Senatorial obligations required him to be in Austin for the Paxton trial. He provided video remarks that were played during the Forum.
Remember early voting starts on October 23. Election information can be found at https://www.harrisvotes.com/.
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Judge Rules Drag Ban Law is Unconstutional | |
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In a separate lawsuit, filed by the ACLU of Texas, a judge granted and extended a temporary restraining order, blocking the law from being enacted on September 1st - today he ruled that SB 12 is unconstitutional. We applaud the Judge’s decision stating that SB 12, the Drag Ban law, is against the law and violates our fundamental right to freedom of speech.
His ruling affirms what we have known all along: drag is not a crime.
People no matter their gender, sexual orientation, or occupation have the First Amendment right to express themselves, and this ruling helps ensure they are able to do so. This law was a clear example of Texas politicians’ attempt to silence, punish, and take away people’s First Amendment right to freedom of speech and expression - and it will not stand.
For now, businesses and performers can rest assured that they will not be fined or criminalized for performing - this law will no longer stop us from sharing our creativity, joy, and community with one another. We want to applaud the court for its ruling and that we, along with our attorney, Texas Civil Rights Project, will continue monitoring this case as it makes its way through the courts, to ensure that the law does not go into effect.
Drag is not a crime, and letting children attend drag shows is not a crime - we hope this law remains overturned to ensure that all Texans have the right to express themselves, to build a Texas where people are able to live and perform as their authentic selves, it is essential to protect the freedom of speech and self-expression.
There is still work ahead, and as this case progresses, the Chamber is committed for the long haul and seeing this law stopped on behalf of our members and the LGBTQ+ community.
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TWO Featured Upcoming Events
LGBTQ+ History Month Event Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Lawrence v. Texas & 3rd Thursday Breakfast with Judge Phyllis Frye
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As we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month in October, we have two outstanding events! | |
We are Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month with Judge Phyllis Frye as our Featured Speaker! | |
Thursday, October 19
8:00 - 10:00 am
Harold's Restaurant, Bar & Terrace
350 W. 19th St. Suite C
| Our very special guest will be Judge Phyllis Frye. She is the first out transgender judge to be appointed in the United States. Judge Frye is truly a pioneer in the fight for transgender rights. | |
Judge Frye will sign the book, Phyllis Frye and the Fight for Transgender Rights, authored by Michael G. Long and Shea Tuttle. The book is a winner of the 2023 Liz Carpenter Award for Best Book on the History of Women.
You can pre-order the book during event registration for $40 (purchase by October 11), and it will be provided onsite at the registration table on the day of the event for $45, while supplies last. Attendees can also bring a pre-purchased book. The book signing will occur after the program ends.
| Thank you to our event sponsor and Chamber Member, Black Phlox! | |
Add this event to your calendar and join us on the 3rd Thursdays in 2023 for a great opportunity to network, enjoy a wonderful breakfast and connect with community.
We appreciate Chamber Member, Harold's, for hosting the 2023 3rd Thursday Breakfast - Community & ConnXions!
| Great door prizes too including complimentary registrations to an upcoming 3rd Thursday Breakfast courtesy of St. Anthony Community Choice, a gift card for a dozen cookies from Michael's Cookie Jar and more! | |
Join Us for this Special Event Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Landmark Supreme Court Decision - Lawrence v. Texas | |
Wednesday, October 25
4:00 - 5:30 p.m. - Panel
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - Reception &
Unveiling of New Banner
Downtown Aquarium
| Join us for the Chamber's annual LGBTQ+ History Month event. This year we will recognize and honor the 20th Anniversary of Lawrence v. Texas, the landmark Supreme Court case that reshaped the legal landscape regarding LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. | |
PANEL
Hear from a distinguished panel convened to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Lawrence v. Texas. This landmark case set the stage for other landmark cases in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. The case originated from the arrests of John Lawrence and Tyron Garner in Houston, TX on September 17, 1998.
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RECEPTION & UNVEILING
Join us for a reception immediately after the panel discussion to meet the panelists and other special guests. Lite bites and one drink ticket will be provided.
As part of the celebration, a mini exhibit of the The Banner Project will be on display and a new banner will be unveiled. Join us to celebrate an individual who has given back so much to the LGBTQ+ community with a new banner in their honor.
| Thank you to Chamber Titanium Corporate Partner, Fertitta Entertainment / Downtown Aquarium, for hosting this event. Join us at the Downtown Aquarium in the ballroom with Downtown Houston as the beautiful backdrop! | Thank you to KHOU 11 for partnering with the Chamber on this important event as our Media Partner and Panel Moderator! | |
Sponsor this event and get visibility for your business or organization and showcase your support for the LGBTQ+ community!
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Community Marketing & Insights (CMI)
The Results are In!
17th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey
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The Chamber is proud to partner once again this year with CMI on their 17th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey.
Check out the video to hear from lead CMI researchers as they present key findings the 17th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey.
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HP Presents at Out & Equal Workplace Advocates Summit on Chamber Partnership! | |
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Earlier this month, leaders from HP’s Houston Pride BIN presented a session at the Out & Equal Summit titled, “Partnering to Evolve LGBTQ+ Inclusion”. Through this presentation, HP brought awareness of the important work that LGBTQ+ chambers are doing across the country and globe. Thank you, Connor, Taylor, Marcus and Gaston! 👏
The Chamber is PROUD to partner with HP as one of our Gold Level Corporate Partners!
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Small Business Owners, Take 12 Minutes to Describe
Your Past Year...
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Owners and key financial decision makers of for-profit businesses, share your recent experiences. How would you rate the financial condition of your business? Did your business seek financing such as loans or lines of credit in the last 12 months? Within the past 12 months, did your business sustain losses from a natural disaster?
The Federal Reserve’s 2023 Small Business Credit Survey is open for responses and the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce is a partner on this effort. By taking the survey, you contribute to data that directly informs the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others—ultimately benefitting your business and other businesses like yours. Take the 12-minute survey now. https://bit.ly/3PLK30o
The survey is open to businesses currently in operation, those recently closed, and those about to launch. All responses are confidential.
The survey closes November 17, 2023. Questions? Contact Aaliyah Price at aaliyah.price@atl.frb.org.
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The Business Advantage Program (BAP) is the Chamber's affinity program. The program is designed to bring together the vast buying power of the Chamber Membership with products and services that provide tangible monetary benefits (savings) to Chamber Members, to enhance the membership experience for existing Members and attract new Members.
The Business Advantage Program offers a special rate or type of service or product to Chamber Members. In return, the goal is that both the Affinity Partner and Chamber will see an increase in revenue. The Business Advantage Offer will generally be geared to create a steady stream of income over time for the Affinity Partner and the Chamber. The offer must include a benefit for the Chamber and can include a benefit for members.
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TGX Scholarship Opportunity! | |
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Are you a Transgender or Gender Expansive (TGX) business owner?
TGX business owners can apply for a scholarship to have their local membership dues sponsored and get LGBTBE certified. The scholarship is open to any TGX business owner who is not currently certified or a member of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
Thank you Chamber Corporate Partner, Wells Fargo, for the generous support for the scholarship program. The program is a collaboration of the NGLCC and Wells Fargo.
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Support Diverse & LGBTQ+ Owned Businesses
Make a donation to the Pay It Forward Fund to underwrite an annual membership for businesses in the community. The Pay It Forward Fund places a priority on minority, trans and women-owned businesses. These are diverse-owned businesses who do not have the financial means to join the Chamber but can greatly benefit from programming, including learning opportunities to grow their business, and networking, to support their businesses.
Over the years, through the Fund, the Chamber has been able to support many diverse owned businesses including helping get businesses LGBTBE® Certified. These businesses have been able to connect with the Chamber and received valuable training and networking to help their businesses grow and thrive.
At the Chamber, we believe that this is what community is all about!
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Reminder! Update Your Chamber Directory Listing | | |
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We encourage members to review and update your membership information on the Chamber Directory.
Did you know that you can add video, photos and marketing materials to your Chamber Directory Listing? Make your Chamber Directory listing stand out!
If you haven't updated your membership information lately in the Chamber Directory, please log into the Info Hub and make any changes.
The public accesses the Chamber Directory looking for LGBTQ+ supportive businesses so make sure your listing is up-to-date.
If you have any questions, please contact the Chamber Office at
info@houstonlgbtchamber.com or 832-510-3002.
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Are You Part of the Member Groups on Facebook and LinkedIn? | |
Members can access the groups to regularly post about their member business or organization. Members can request to join the groups via: | |
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We want to hear from our members! Use the groups to share the latest about your member business or organization.
The Chamber Team will be processing Member LinkedIn Group requests as quickly as possible. As a reminder, you must be a member to access the Member Facebook or LinkedIn Groups and listed on the member account. Not a member? Join TODAY!
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Advertise in the Winter 2024 Issue of
Business Intersections!
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Talk about a win-win! Advertising in the Chamber magazine is a great way to bring visibility for your business and support the Chamber! 🙌
Members can take advantage of advertising space (with member-only rates) in each edition of the magazine.
The quarterly magazine is promoted on the Chamber's website, through social media, newsletters and more. Business Intersections
creates 45,000 impressions for each edition of the magazine. Plus, it is regularly promoted via email signature lines for the Chamber Team!
Deadline to advertise is November 3 so reserve your ad in the Winter 2023
Edition now!
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Member & Partner Highlights | |
Congratulations to Carrie Rai, MA, MSW, LMSW, who has joined Chamber Nonprofit Member, Tony’s Place, as their new Executive Director. Welcome! Learn more about Carrie here. |
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Celebrating 28 Years!
Congratulations to Executive Level Chamber Member, Dessert Gallery, on this remarkable achievement! Did you know that the Dessert Gallery was named the Pride In Business Allied Business of the Year by the Chamber earlier this year? The Chamber is proud to call the Dessert Gallery one of our longtime members!
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Congratulations to Chamber Media Partner, KHOU 11. The KHOU 11 documentary, The Beat Goes On, was recently awarded the 2023 Merced Queer Film Festival Winner for Best Feature Documentary. |
Here’s a wonderful shot out to Rev. Heather Tolleson, Senior Pastor with Chamber Member First Christian Church Katy for her recognition with the “We are the Movement” Award: The Reve. O.D. Johnson Recognition. The award was presented to Rev. Tolleson by the Disciples of LGBTQ+ Alliance and recognizing her leadership at FCC Katy. The church started Transparent Closet to provide clothes and community for trans individuals in Katy. | | |
Do you have some good news to share? From time to time, the Chamber highlights significant accomplishments, big milestones and other good news about our Members and Corporate Partners. Please submit news about your member business here. | |
alliantgroup’s core mission is helping American businesses overcome the challenges of today to prepare your business for the world of the 22nd Century and beyond. Unlike other consultancies, we work hand in hand with our clients to implement quantifiable solutions to their most critical concerns. There are no long winded reports with mere suggestions, our goal is to tangibly transform your operations and deliver measurable results to your organization. Learn more at https://www.alliantgroup.com/. | | |
President's Circle Featured Member | |
From time to time, the Chamber features our President’s Circle members who have made a significant investment in the Chamber. This month, we are highlighting President's Circle member, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. | |
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The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum is the only museum in the U.S. dedicated primarily to preserving the legacy and honor of the African-American soldier. It houses the largest repository of African-American military history in the world.
The museum aims to articulate, collect, display and preserve historical artifacts, documents, videos, prints and other historical memorabilia which detail the history of the brave men and women who overcame extreme adversity while fighting the great American wars. Visitors will see artifacts stretching from the Revolutionary War through both world wars to present day conflicts.
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Some members of the Chamber Team participated in the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 70th Anniversary Celebration held at the United Way. The event was hosted by the SBA Houston District Office. | |
The Chamber participated in the Pink Carpet Resistance Showcase held at Numbers. The event stands in solidarity and gratitude with so many individuals and organizations that have fought for our right to live authentically, and it is a celebration of trans and non-binary artists. | |
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The Chamber co-hosted a table with The Woodlands Pride at the Transgender Unity Banquet held earlier this month.
Congratulations to the Transgender Federation of America on another successful event. 32 years strong!
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Chamber Leaders joined Chamber Gold Level Corporate Partner, Comcast, for a Meet & Greet to welcome Jose Espinel to Texas. Jose is the new Regional Senior Vice President for the Texas Region. Jose is committed to community partnerships such as with the Chamber. We look forward to working with him in this new role. | |
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Chamber Leadership and Members attended the Houston Business Journal’s Fast 50 Awards luncheon. (Photos in DB) | |
The City of Houston held a Boards and Commission Fair. Chamber Leaders participated in the event hosted by Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Hispanic Advisory Board and AAPI Advisory Board. Mayor Turner provided remarks at the event. | |
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Check out the Photos from Recent Chamber Events | | |
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August 30, 2023 - Grubhub Community Impact Grant Program Announcement | |
August 31, 2023 - Drag Bingo at Eureka Heights Brew Co. | |
September 1, 2023 - First Friday Meet & Eat at Cadillac Bar | |
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September 8, 2023 - Inaugural Chamber Mayoral Forum | |
September 15, 2023 - Open House & Ribbon Cutting at B Well Counseling | |
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Register for Upcoming Events! | |
There’s plenty of upcoming opportunities to engage with the Chamber and make some great connections! | |
The Chamber events calendar is regularly updated so check back often and keep an eye out for event announcements. | | |
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Show your support for the LGBTQ+ community! The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce offers numerous sponsorship and marketing opportunities throughout the year. This Sponsorship Guide outlines the various opportunities to increase your brand visibility with Chamber members and the LGBTQ+ community.
Click here to learn more and become a sponsor. Use this form to inquire about 2023 Sponsorship Opportunities!
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Thank you to the following members for their continued support of the Chamber! | |
T. Ray Purser formed Purser Public Affairs in 2022 to help provide strategic counsel, policy expertise and advocacy to businesses and organizations. His expertise will help your organization design and execute public policy positions, community building, communications, and advocacy strategies. | |
We are thrilled to welcome our newest members to the Chamber! | |
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM), is dedicated to exploring and displaying the stories and contributions of African Americans in the military by way of performing and visual arts, educational programming, and exhibitions. | |
Serving Houston’s East End community since 1994, El Centro de Corazón (El Centro) is an accomplished Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with three health centers and offers a comprehensive range of pediatric and adult health care services for the medically underserved and uninsured, which includes primary care, women’s health, dental care, and behavioral health services. El Centro also provides ancillary services, such as case management and eligibility assistance, to help patients and their families overcome obstacles to accessing health care services. | |
The Chamber is growing! It’s a great time to be part of our growing and thriving Chamber community. Join today! | |
Stay up to date on the latest happenings - follow the Chamber on social media! | Also, check out the Facebook and LinkedIn Member Groups where member can post information about their organizations. Are you a new Chamber Member? Post up an intro video and let us know about you and your member organization! | | |
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Make sure your business is included in the online Chamber Directory where the community finds LGBTQ+ supportive businesses. Show your support and get more visibility for your business in the LGBTQ+ community!
Don’t own a business? Join and take advantage of great networking through the Professionals Membership!
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Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas | |
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Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce www.houstonlgbtchamber.com
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