2025-26 Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce Impact Report
As we celebrate National Pride Month, the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce is proud to release this year’s Impact Report—a reflection not only of where we have been, but where we are boldly headed next. This report represents 18 months of work, three leaders, and countless hours of dedication in service to Austin’s LGBTQ+ and allied-owned small businesses and the community that powers them.
I want to extend deep gratitude to my predecessor, Tina Cannon, along with Colton Ashabranner, whose steady leadership helped guide the Chamber through an important transition. Special thanks are also owed to Amy Clunie and Fiona Dawson for continuing to move this organization forward with passion and purpose.
Over the past six months, I have spent my time listening—to our members, community leaders, stakeholders, and staff. One message has become crystal clear: our community is hungry to engage, hungry to build, and hungry to help shape the future of this city.
And the timing could not be more important.
Austin is entering one of the most transformational economic moments in its history. Massive infrastructure projects, airport expansion, a new convention center, light rail development, and continued growth in technology, healthcare, construction, and the creative economy are reshaping the future of our region in real time. At the same time, emerging technologies like AI and digitization are rapidly changing the way businesses compete and grow.
That future presents enormous opportunity—but opportunity is never guaranteed.
Now is not the time to sit on the sidelines. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves, step into the arena, and help protect the progress this community has fought so hard to achieve. Sustainable growth will require all of us: business owners, corporate partners, creatives, advocates, and community leaders working together toward a shared vision.
The path forward is clear. We must invest in one another, strengthen our small business ecosystem, and ensure LGBTQ+ and allied-owned businesses are not simply present in Austin’s future—but leading it. Together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous, and more inclusive Austin for generations to come.
2021 - 2024 Impact Reports
2024 Impact
Membership Growth:
Our Chamber grew by 17% this year, reaching a vibrant total of more than 450 members, over half of which are small businesses. This expansion reflects the unwavering trust our community places in the Chamber to champion their interests, foster resilience, and create meaningful opportunities for success.
Expanding Community Impact:
In 2024, we brought our mission to life through 60+ dynamic events, including networking luncheons, happy hours, and landmark initiatives such as the DECA Small Business Summit and our continued partnership with SXSW. Events like the Pride in Local Music Festival and the Business of Pride Gala showcased the vibrancy of our community and reinforced our shared values of inclusivity and celebration.
Through our "Small Town, Big Pride" initiative, we extended our reach to Taylor and Lockhart, establishing meaningful regional partnerships that deepen our commitment to Central Texas. Meanwhile, our first-ever intercity trip to Dublin, Ireland, demonstrated the global impact of our advocacy and opened new avenues for collaboration on an international scale. These efforts strengthened our local connections while elevating our visibility on national and global stages.
Advocacy and Equity:
This year marked the launch of the REED Plan in collaboration with DECA — a groundbreaking step toward regional equity in economic development. This initiative ensures that our diverse membership can thrive within an inclusive and resilient economic landscape.
While we celebrated milestones, we also faced significant challenges. The rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation required us to stand firm in our advocacy, ensuring that the rights and dignity of our community remain protected. Our work in legislative chambers and alliances with advocacy groups fortified our resolve to create spaces where every individual can live authentically and thrive.
Looking Ahead:
As we look to the future, the Austin LGBT Chamber remains committed to fostering courage, creativity, and unity. The momentum we’ve built this year positions us for even greater impact in the years ahead and against the challenges we are sure to face. Together, we will continue to break barriers, push boundaries, and transform Texas into a place of opportunity and inclusion for all.
Thank you for your unwavering trust and support. Together, we are creating a Texas for ALL Texans.
2023 Impact
As the Board Chair of the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, I am thrilled to present our 2023 Impact Report, celebrating a remarkable year of growth, advocacy, and collaboration.
Membership Growth: Our community has grown stronger and more diverse, with over 100 new members in the past year. This surge signifies the trust and confidence our members place in the Chamber to represent and support their interests.
Advocacy Success: Our relentless advocacy efforts have yielded substantial results. We successfully lobbied for inclusive policies, fostering a more equitable business environment. The Chamber's voice has been heard in legislative chambers, contributing to positive changes that benefit our members and the broader LGBTQ+ community.
Collaboration with Minority Chambers: Embracing the power of unity, we forged impactful partnerships with other minority chambers through our DECA initiative. This collaborative spirit has enabled us to amplify our collective voices, advocating for inclusivity and equal opportunities across diverse business sectors.
Social Connection: Our annual gala exceeded all expectations, serving not only as a glamorous celebration of our community but also as a crucial fundraiser for future initiatives. The generous support from sponsors and attendees demonstrates the depth of commitment to our shared vision of economic empowerment and equality. The resounding success of the Pride in Local Music Festival showcased our commitment to cultural inclusivity and community engagement. By celebrating diversity through music, we not only created a joyous event but also strengthened our ties with the broader Austin community. The Chamber also held numerous member Ribbon Cuttings, luncheons, happy hours, and other social events providing networking opportunities for our community.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the opportunities to continue making a positive impact. Together, we will build on this momentum, ensuring the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce remains a driving force for progress, prosperity, and unity.
Gary Schumann
2023 Austin LGBT Chamber Board Chair
2022 Impact
2021 Impact
2021 proved our resolve and resiliency as a community — from the high moments of a vaccine and how CDC protocols allowed us to open back up our worlds, to the lows of new COVID-19 variants.
As a Chamber, we stood together successfully fighting back 76 anti- LGBT bills in the Texas Legislative session, and worked to have certified LGBT-owned businesses recognized by the City of Austin for procurement opportunities. We held our second annual Pride in Local Music event celebrating and amplifying the LGBT creative economy in both Austin and Nashville, and produced our largest ever Business of Pride Gala. The highlight of the gala was awarding awarded five scholarships to Central Texas students via our new Educational Fund.
Our Chamber’s staff have been with our members every step of the way, guiding and providing resources and serving as a sounding board. Our resolve has led to the Chamber’s growth, membership retention, reach and reputation. If you or your business would like information about joining the Chamber, please contact us.
Click here to download a digital version of our 2021 Impact Report.