Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve gathered answers to the most common questions we receive about Chamber membership, events, programming, benefits, certification, and ways to get involved. Whether you’re a current member, a prospective member, or exploring how to engage with the LGBTQ+ and Allied business community, this page is designed to help you find quick, clear information.
General
The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce does not sell its membership list under any circumstances.
You can visit the Chamber Directory to find a host of LGBTQ+ supportive and inclusive businesses. The general public routinely uses the Directory to find businesses whose values align in terms of support and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community.
Yes. The Chamber’s Standards of Business Conduct & Ethics is located at https://www.houstonlgbtchamber.com/business-standards/.
A Chamber of Commerce is different from the Better Business Bureau, but if you believe a member of the Chamber has violated the Chamber’s Standards of Business Conduct & Ethics, you may contact the Chamber to file a complaint. However, the Chamber is under no obligation to take any action other than to forward the complaint to the member.
We do not get involved in business or organizational disputes between members and their customers, clients, donors, etc. If you have this type of complaint, we encourage you to contact the Better Business Bureau.
Just take a moment and add your name and email to our mailing list and we'll keep you updated on Chamber news, events, and opportunities.
Membership
No. You do not have to identify as LGBTQ+ to join the Chamber.
We welcome LGBTQ+ Allies, and many of our members are strong allies of the LGBTQ+ community. As part of our commitment to Radical Hospitality, every member—LGBTQ+ or Allied—is welcomed, valued, connected, and supported.
- Be a legally formed business or nonprofit.
- Support the Chamber’s Mission.
- Adhere to the Chamber’s Standards of Business Conduct & Ethics.
- Pay annual or monthly membership dues.
We serve the Greater Houston region and beyond, and people outside the region can still join. We have members outside the region who want to support the Chamber’s work or engage virtually.
No, businesses do not have to be 51% LGBTQ+ owned to join the Chamber. Any business—LGBTQ+ owned or Allied—is encouraged to become a member.
The 51% ownership requirement applies to those members wishing to become LGBTBE® certified.
For businesses with 499 employees or fewer, Business Level memberships are available based on the number of employees and membership tier. View our current membership levels and dues here. We do offer monthly payment options for certain Business Level memberships.
👉 Join now
The Chamber offers a nonprofit membership level based on revenue size.
We value nonprofit members as part of the LGBTQ+ economic ecosystem and our work to advance economic inclusion.
We encourage nonprofit organizations—LGBTQ+-serving or Allied—to join the Chamber to raise the profile of their mission and engage with our members and the LGBTQ+ and Allied community.
For arts and culture nonprofits, our Arts + Culture membership offers tailored benefits and collaborations.
Absolutely! Complete our Contact Us form and someone on our team will follow up as soon as possible.
We have various industry-level membership types as well. Review all membership types for employers with 499 or fewer employees on our Membership Levels and Benefits page.
We offer a Professional Membership and a young professionals membership, LAMBDA NextGen.
👉 Professional Membership
👉 Young Professionals Membership (LAMBDA NextGen)
Benefits & Engagement
Benefits vary by level and expand during milestone years such as our 10-Year Anniversary celebration.
👉 View Membership Benefits
👉 Contact Us to Discuss Membership
Among the 100+ events the Chamber hosts each year, a majority are popular monthly breakfasts, luncheons, and after-hours events that make networking easy.
There is a mix of complimentary events for members and member-rate discounted registration available specifically for members.
We call our volunteers the EVF - Elite Volunteer Force!
We offer opportunities throughout the year to support:
- Chamber programs and events
- The annual Chamber Holiday Food & Supply Drive
- Special initiatives and campaigns
- Committee or project-based engagement
- Foundation community projects
You can access the Member Info Hub using the email address associated with your membership. If you need help logging in or resetting your password, contact the Chamber Office.
You can access the Member Info Hub using the email address associated with your membership. If you need help logging in or resetting your password, contact the Chamber Office.
Radical Hospitality means we create intentional, welcoming, affirming spaces where LGBTQ+ and Allied businesses and professionals can thrive.
It shows up in how we onboard you, connect you, and advocate for your success in the community.
Business operations today are complex and hyper-competitive, so the Chamber offers practical how-to workshops and professionally-led programs to help you get and stay up to speed with today’s best business practices.
Chamber members and our partners with expertise in AI, law, finance, IT, marketing, sales, and more present at Chamber workshops as part of programming throughout the year.
The Chamber provides resources for entrepreneurs through our collaboration and strategic partnerships. We have members and strategic partners whose expertise is focused on supporting entrepreneurs and/or small businesses.
We provide education, access to capital, certification opportunities, supplier inclusion workshops, and other activities to support individuals in the creation of their businesses. We love to help new entrepreneurs get access to critical information and resources.
Events & Programming
- Monthly breakfasts, mixers, and educational programs
- Signature events such as the Pride In Business Celebration
- Workplace inclusion and B/ERG programming
- Small business summits, workshops, and trainings
- Community impact events
- And more!
Yes. Throughout the year, we offer virtual programs such as workshops, information sessions, and networking opportunities. Virtual engagement also allows members outside the region to participate and stay connected to the Chamber.
No. All events are open to LGBTQ+ and Allied attendees. We welcome everyone who supports LGBTQ+ economic inclusion and the mission and work of the Chamber.
Refunds for general Chamber events are available up to 72 hours before the event, unless otherwise noted. Requests received after that time are not eligible for a refund due to event guarantees and planning requirements.
Major and signature events require one week's notice for a refund.
Yes. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another person at no additional cost. Please contact the Chamber Office via our online form or call 832-510-3002 at least 24 hours before the event so we can update the registration list.
If the Chamber cancels an event, registrants will generally receive a full refund.
If an event is postponed, all registrations will automatically transfer to the new date. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled date, you may request a full refund or transfer your registration to another event.
No. Refunds are not provided for individuals who register but do not attend an event.
Sponsorship payments are non-refundable, as benefits begin immediately upon commitment and include year-round visibility and recognition.
Yes. You may update attendee names and contact information by reaching out to the Chamber team prior to the event.
The Chamber is committed to ensuring all events are inclusive and accessible. If you need accommodations, please notify us when registering or contact us at least 48 hours before the event.
Advertising & Visibility
You can gain visibility through:
- Your Chamber Member Directory listing
- Sponsorship and event visibility
- The annual Show Your Pride campaign
- Pride In Business Celebration Luncheon (signature event)
- 10-Year Anniversary spotlights and special initiatives
Collaborations
The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber is celebrating its 10-Year Anniversary in 2026, marking a decade of partnership with the NGLCC to advance LGBTQ+ economic empowerment. This milestone has advanced economic inclusion, entrepreneurship, and supplier diversity, connecting LGBTQ+ businesses with Fortune 500 and government procurement opportunities.
Throughout the year, we collaborate with the NGLCC to bring our members programming and events.
Yes, yes, and yes! We are part of a coalition of the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, which includes the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, North Texas LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, and San Antonio LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. Our primary collaboration centers on advocacy and hosting our Day at the Capitol event held every legislative session in Austin.
From time to time, we collaborate with other LGBTQ+ chambers across the country on various programming, and we are engaged with the network of Affiliate Chambers through the National LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).
Throughout the year, we collaborate regionally with other chambers and organizations on joint programming and events. Our collaboration with the NGLCC ensures that our work has a national reach and gives our members even more opportunities to engage and raise their visibility.
Certification & Supplier Inclusion
- Majority (at least 51%) owned, operated, managed, and controlled by an LGBTQ+ person or persons who are either
- U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
- Exercises independence from any non-LGBTQ+ business enterprise
- Has its principal place of business (headquarters) in the United States
- Has been formed as a legal entity in the United States
Members receive a waived certification fee (currently $899) and recertification fee (currently $499) through the Chamber’s Affiliate partnership with the National LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) as long as the business is a member in good standing with the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce.
The second step is to formally apply for the LGBTBE® certification through the NGLCC.
We work throughout the year to connect our members to our supplier inclusion partners, especially those Impact Partners that recognize the LGBTBE® certification.
No. This is why we encourage businesses to join the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce before applying for the LGBTBE® certification through the NGLCC.
Certification is national. Membership is local. Both matter—together they unlock the full value of LGBTQ+ supplier inclusion and visibility.
Advocacy
We are non-partisan and do not endorse candidates. The policy of the Chamber regarding political campaigns is to remain neutral. The Chamber may take advocacy positions on policies or issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community. We do not endorse individual candidates.
Some candidates or elected officials may be Chamber Members, and we may promote their appearances and agendas/resumes without prejudice. We do encourage members to learn about all candidates and to register and vote.
Some of our advocacy work includes:
- Leading the Day at the Capitol advocacy day at the Texas Capitol
- Engaging elected officials for tours of local member businesses
- Hosting an annual Elected Officials Reception
- Promoting the Get OUT the VOTE campaign
- Driving LGBTQ+ inclusive economic policies
- Including elected officials and key stakeholders as speakers for Chamber programming to educate members
Chamber Regional Focus
The Chamber serves the Greater Houston region and surrounding counties, supporting LGBTQ+ and Allied businesses and the community across the Houston metropolitan area.
Our expanded reach includes surrounding counties and regional economic corridors where we are engaging LGBTQ+ owned businesses, key stakeholders and the LGBTQ+ community.
How Can I Support the Chamber?
Supporting the Chamber financially helps strengthen our mission, expand our programming, and power LGBTQ+ economic opportunity in the region.
- Donate directly to the Chamber
Your gift supports our advocacy, economic development work, small business support, supplier diversity initiatives, professional development programs, and ongoing efforts and operations to strengthen the LGBTQ+ economic ecosystem. - Support the Pay It Forward Fund
Donate to the Pay It Forward Fund, a program designed to help LGBTQ+ small businesses and entrepreneurs. Through the Pay It Forward Fund, individuals and businesses sponsor annual Chamber memberships for minority, trans, and women-owned businesses.This support provides these businesses with the financial means to join the Chamber, granting access to valuable programs, networking events, and assistance with LGBTBE® certification.
- Donate to the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber Foundation
The Foundation is our 501(c)(3) arm focused on community impact, including the Chamber Holiday Food & Supply Drive and other programs serving vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth and community members.