FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2023
Washington, D.C. — The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the national business voice of the LGBTQ community, stands with the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce as they fight to recognize LGBTQ-owned businesses in Texas contracting and procurement opportunities, most recently during “Business is Business” Day at the Texas Capitol. Members of the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce stood in the face of discrimination during the event as planned resolutions recognizing the Texas LGBTQ+ business community were denied.
“We are very proud of our affiliates that comprise the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, a coalition of the Austin LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce, for standing up for what is right for thousands of Texas LGBTQ-owned businesses that are a vital part of the Texas economy,” said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson.
The NGLCC affiliates that make up the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce advocate for Texas legislators to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in workplaces statewide and to oppose discrimination in all forms against the LGBTQ+ community. The coalition gathered at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 to support passage of House Resolution 155 and Senate Resolution 163 as an acknowledgment of the contributions of LGBTQ+ business owners to the economy alongside other state business coalitions on the floor. Ultimately, certain legislators stated they intended on opposing both resolutions, and as a result, the resolutions were pulled altogether, with formal recognition only being granted to non-LGBTQ business coalitions in attendance.
Alongside the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, we call on Texas legislators to remember that their economy succeeds only when there is a fully engaged and protected citizenry, workforce, and supply chain free from fear, bias, and discrimination. We applaud Representative Jessica González, Vice Chair of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus, for standing up for the rights of LGBTQ+ Texans by filing House Bill 2182, which seeks to add LGBTQIA+ owned businesses to the Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program.
Over half of all American states have opted to include LGBTQ-owned businesses in contracting & procurement opportunities, with major cities like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Houston, and Nashville also signing on to recognize LGBTQ+ companies as diverse suppliers. Nearly 450 major Fortune 100 and 500 NGLCC Corporate Partners agree that discrimination is bad for business, and that including Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers is an essential step towards internal and external diversity, equity, & inclusion.
“Inclusive policies build stronger economies, especially since LGBTQ-owned businesses nationwide contribute over $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy,” said Nelson. “NGLCC condemns the failure of the Texas House and Senate to recognize the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce at “Business is Business” Day, and urges Texas lawmakers to pass HB2182 to further their commitment to building a prosperous state economy.”
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The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses.
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