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A Historic Month for the LGBTQ+ Community
and the Chamber
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LGBTQ+ History Month Event
Last week's Chamber event in celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month exceeded all expectations. Event participants and honorees were so exceptional that the Chamber is still hearing about it! We extend a sincere thanks to each of you who attended and to our generous sponsors for helping make the event possible.
It was a perfect way to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Supreme Court Decision Lawrence v. Texas during the Chamber's annual LGBTQ+ History Month event. Our event panel provided the audience a depth of information about the case and compelling behind the scenes stories surrounding the case’s journey from a Justice of the Peace Court in Texas to the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. Thank you to Mitchell Katine, Lane Lewis and Dr. Wesley Phelps for your insight and dedication and our moderator, Cheryl Mercedes with KHOU 11.
There was perhaps no better way to cap off our celebration than with a reveal from The Banner Project announcing its latest honoree. We were thrilled that Emmett Schelling, Jr., Executive Director of the Transgender Education Network of Texas, received this year’s recognition for his contribution to Houston’s LGBTQ+ history.
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Celebrating Judge Phyllis Frye
We were honored to welcome Judge Phyllis Frye to this month’s 3rd Thursday Community + ConnXions Breakfast. Judge Frye described to attendees her journey from Texas A&M Corps of Cadets member to her work as an engineer, to her “accidental” legal career. During the Q&A portion of the event, she was asked about her major accomplishments. For Judge Frye, there are many: she is the first out transgender judge to be appointed in the U.S., the first attorney to obtain corrected birth certificates for transgender people who had not undergone gender confirmation surgery, a survivor of conversion therapy, and the author of a law review article that helped thousands of employers adopt supportive policies for their workers.
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Following her remarks, Judge Frye signed Phyllis Frye and the Fight for Transgender Rights, a book written by Michael G. Long and Shea Tuttle, which won the 2023 Liz Carpenter Award for Best Book on the History of Women.
Thank you for what you’ve done and for inspiring us all, Judge!
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This month we recognized the 20th Anniversary of the historic Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas. KHOU 11 and Great Day Houston hosted Mitchell Avila Katine and Lane Lewis to discuss case and just how far the LGBTQ+ Community has come. | |
- Basic Needs – services that address immediate essential needs to survive, including meals, clothing, showers, laundry, and connection to housing services)
- Case Management provided on a 1-on-1 basis, through an LGBTQ+ lens
- Support Services – safe spaces, resources through peer support groups, education, and collaboration with other community organizations
- Community Engagement - strategic interactions with the community and public to provide training and presentations about and for LGBTQ+ youth
- Advocacy – public support or recommendations for legislation at state and federal levels.
You have the power to help build a stronger future for the LGBTQ+ community and showcase your business! Become an Chamber Holiday Food & Supply Drive Sponsor.
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Your sponsorship will help address food insecurity and provide a haven for LGBTQ+ youth in the Houston region. | |
Join Us for Upcoming Events! | |
In the next few weeks, there are plenty of upcoming opportunities to engage with the Chamber and make some great community connections, including: | |
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.
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Congratulations to our Corporate Partner,
the Houston Astros!
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What a year for the Houston Astros! Reaching the MLB American League Championship Series for the 7th time is remarkable. Few things galvanize our city more than Astros games. A big thank you to all the players and coaches for a great ride this season! | |
Chamber Chat with Alex Cox-Cuzzi | | |
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Each fall, as part of Long Term Planning Month in October and National Family Caregivers Month in November, we turn our attention to elder care in our community. Aging isn’t easy, and it’s much harder when you’re more likely to be alone or have less income or not enjoy partner or spousal benefits, as many LGBTQ+ seniors are. CarePatrol Central Houston helps match living arrangements for elderly individuals — be it independent living, assisted living, or memory care — prioritizing safety and quality of life. We sat down with Alex Cox-Cuzzi, Co-Owner/Operator of CarePatrol Central Houston to learn more about her and how her business tailors senior placement services to meet the diverse needs of its clients. | |
Not A Member of the Chamber? Join Today! | |
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Whether you're an LGBTQ+ or Allied-owned business, a large company, or a professional or young professional you can get involved in the Chamber. The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce is the leading regional advocate for the economic and civic interests of the LGBTQ+ business community. Now is a great time to be part of one of the fastest-growing chambers in the region.
Chamber membership is comprised of a wide array of entrepreneurs, executives, small businesses, and Fortune 500 firms. Learn more about membership benefits and levels.
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TGX Scholarship Opportunity! | |
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Transgender/Gender Expansive (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. Apply today and please share the application with those in your networks who qualify.
Thank you Chamber Corporate Partner, Wells Fargo, for the generous support for the scholarship program and to the NGLCC for their collaboration on the program.
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Chris Schmidt with Chamber Corporate Partner, Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, received the Quantum Leap award for growing his business more than 50% in profit from the previous year. |
Chamber Member St. Peter United celebrated its 175th anniversary! |
Out Magazine named Rev. Leslie Jackson, who is senior pastor of Chamber Member St. Peter United, to its 2023 Out100, the magazine’s prestigious compilation of the year's most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people. | |  |
Chamber Collaboration Partner LiftFund US celebrated its 30th Anniversary! |
Chamber Member, Pearl Bar celebrated its 10th anniversary. Pearl Bar is one of the few remaining lesbian bars in the country. |
JD Doyle with Chamber Nonprofit Member, JD Doyle Archives, was featured in the Houston Chronicle about his new book. Read the article here: Legendary Houston LGBTQ historian, JD Doyle, releases memoir.” | | |
Do you have some good news to share? Please submit news about your member business here. | |
Located on the east end of Texas Medical Center, a half-mile from the VA Hospital, Hilton Garden Inn and Home 2 Suites by Hilton is your home in Houston's medical district. The hotel is within a 10-minute drive to NRG Park, Museum District and Rice Village. Downtown Houston and The Galleria are just a short drive away. Enjoy free breakfast, free wi-fi, an outdoor saline pool, and event/pre-function space. Learn more at https://www.hilton.com. | | |
Chamber Leadership joined newest Nonprofit Chamber Member, El Centro de Corazón for their 16th Annual Making a Difference Luncheon. El Centro is an accomplished Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) making a difference in the East End! https://www.elcentrodecorazon.org/ | |
The Chamber was proud to partner with the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance for their national conference hosted in Houston in September. Let’s just say we have some new fans of our great city! Check out all the photos. | |
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Chamber Leaders participate in the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus 14th Annual Equality Brunch. | | |
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Chamber Leaders joined Chamber Nonprofit Member, CCCC Houston, for the Grand Invitational 2023 Awards Banquet. The local chapter hosted the car show bringing in hundreds of vintage cars and car owners from across the county. The event is part of Lambda Car Club International, which is the largest LGBTQ+ car club in North America for LGBTQ+ people and their friends and allies. | |
Thank you to the following members for their continued support of the Chamber! | |
We are thrilled to welcome our newest members to the Chamber! | |
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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