Established in 1997, the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce is Central Texas’ home for LGBTQ+ and allied businesses, nonprofits, and professionals. Our mission is to create and support a vibrant and prosperous regional economy strengthened through the full participation of diverse local communities. Today, we proudly represent hundreds of small business, corporate, nonprofit, and individual members who share a commitment to equality, inclusion, and economic opportunity.
As a founding member of the NGLCC (The National LGBTQ+ & Allied Chamber of Commerce) since 2004, the Chamber has played an active role in advancing LGBTQ+ business advocacy and supplier diversity efforts at both the state and national levels. In 2019, we partnered with the Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio LGBTQ+ Chambers to form the Texas LGBTQ+ Chambers of Commerce, strengthening collaboration and advocacy efforts across Texas.
In 2021, the Chamber joined forces with the Greater Austin Hispanic, Asian, and Black Chambers to establish Diversity Ethnic Chamber Alliance (DECA) — a first-of-its-kind regional partnership focused on advancing economic equity, opportunity, and collaboration among Austin’s diverse business communities.
Through advocacy, education, networking, and economic development initiatives, the Austin LGBT Chamber continues working to ensure LGBTQ+ and allied businesses are connected, empowered, and positioned to thrive.
Here are just a few LGBT Chamber Milestones:
- 1994: Stonewall Chamber of Commerce established in Austin, Texas, later becoming the AGLCC.
- 1997: The Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce or AGLCC was founded.
- 1999: Held first business expo which was held at Scholz Garten, one of the oldest operating businesses in Texas.
- June 2001: Marked the first Annual Austin LGBT Chamber Pride Parade.
- June 2009: the Austin LGBT Chamber produced the city’s first combined Pride Parade and Festival with over 50,000 combined participants and attendees before handing off the Pride events to a separate non-profit organization for 2010.
- 2010: ALGBTCC hands off Pride events to a separate non-profit organization – Austin Pride (originally Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation)
- 2006: the Austin LGBT Chamber reached 200 members for the first time
- 2007: the Chamber had its first State of the Chamber and published its first magazine, Forward Austin replacing the printed directory.
- 2009: the Chamber reached 300 members for the first time.
- 2012: The Chamber published its first issue of; The Agenda, a new quarterly magazine, in collaboration with the Austin Chronicle, released during Austin PRIDE.
- March 2013: the Austin LGBT Chamber organized the first #BigGay Kickoff Party on the first day of the SXSW Interactive Festival. It attracted over 1500 attendees, making it the largest non-pride LGBTQ+ event in Austin at the time.
- July 2013: the Austin LGBT Chamber received the Rising Star Chamber of the Year award from the NGLCC
- September 2013: the Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin named the Austin LGBT Chamber as “Best Shop-Local Portals.”
- March 2014: the Austin LGBT Chamber’s Facebook page reached 10,000 likes, making it the most “liked” LGBT chamber of commerce on Facebook, and the most liked of any local chamber of commerce in the world.
- August 2015: the Chamber received the Excellence in Community Impact Award from the NGLCC.
- June 2016: The Chamber held its first “PROUD!” (now known as the Business of Pride Gala) – an event in which the Chamber celebrates its members, Pride month, Annual Business Awards and gives out scholarships to LGBTQ students through its Foundation.
- August 2017: Austin LGBT Chamber receives CTI Certified designation issued by the University of Notre Dame and co-signed by the USHCC, USBC, USPAACC. The CTI Certification highlights the achievements made by the chamber as a whole.
- Jan 2019: Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio Chamber collaborate and create the Texas LGBTQ+ Chambers of Commerce.
- Dec 2019: Austin LGBT Chamber has record-setting attendance for the Business of Pride Awards Gala.
- November 2021: Awarded five Education Fund Scholarships to LGBTQ+ and allied students.
- December 2021: Collected 1300 Toys for the Annual Holiday Toy Drive
- December 2021: Largest Annual Gala attendance in the history of the Chamber
- 2021: Certified 58 LGBT Owned Businesses
- 2021: City of Austin accepts LGBTBE Certification in the procurement process
- 2021: Established a partnership with Visit Austin to increase LGBTQ+ tourism and attract visitors to support LGBTQ-owned businesses.
- 2021: The Austin LGBT Chamber, Greater Austin Asian Chamber, Greater Austin Black Chamber, and the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce established a coalition – The Diversity and Ethnic Chamber Alliance (DECA), now a 501c3.
- 2022: The Chamber launched the Agenda Live Show.
- March 2022: The Chamber hosted a full day of Official SXSW LGBT+ Business Panels
- March 2022: DECA introduces a shared vision to create a Regional Economic Equity Development Plan (REED Plan) to reduce barriers and create equity for the small businesses and the Greater Austin workforce.
- June 2022: The Chamber held the first full-scale in-person Pride in Local Music Festival.
- 2022: The Chamber had the highest number of event sponsorships.
- 2022: The Chamber held a record number of Rainbow Ribbon Cuttings.
- December 2022: The Chamber held the highest-attended Business of Pride Gala.
- 2022: The Chamber served on the Austin Economic Development Board, the Business Arts Council at the Long Center and the Business Advisory Council for Delta Airlines.
Past Chairs and Presidents of the Board of Directors:
2025 Chair, Emilie Kopp
2024 Chair, Andrew Peters
2023 Chair, Gary Schumann
2022 Chair, Deirdre Walsh
2021 Chair, Valerie Salinas-Davis
2017-2020, Chase Kincannon
2016-2017, Amy Cook
2014-2016, Edgar Gierbolini
2013-2014, Jimmy Flannigan
2011-2012, Amy Cook
2009-2010, Chad Peevy
2007-2009, Jimmy Flannigan
2005-2006, Troy Hanna
2003-2005, Grant Henning
2001-2002, Amy Krause
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