.gay Community Spotlight on the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
This week we had the chance to connect with Steve Markel from the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce as part of our ongoing .gay Community Spotlight series.
Learn more about their work and check out our conversation below.
How would you describe your organization’s mission?
The Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce invests in the education, job training, and career opportunities of a diverse group of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. The Austin LGBT Chamber, founded in 1997 works to achieve equality and inclusion by promoting economic vitality in our communities and strengthening LGBTQ and ally businesses. In other words, we are here to support all queer businesses and allied businesses in Austin and Texas. Whether that be a realtor or a punk rock musician, a CEO or a bartender. No matter your profession, status, or niche. We want to support you and help guide you in your professional endeavors.
Tell us about how that mission is brought to life through your work?
We facilitated the formation of 8 different committees that each focus on a specialized segment of need within the LGBTQIA2S+ community which includes advocacy, supplier diversity, arts, employee resource groups, young professionals, health and wellness, and business outreach. The Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce also produces a live music festival every June which showcases the creative queer community of Austin. The Pride in Local Music festival features local and national queer musicians during pride month. Last year we also had a queer marketplace during the festival that was curated by The Little Gay Shop which showcased over 30 local queer and allied makers and small businesses. It was a blast!
What would happen if your organization suddenly did not exist?
The Central Texas LGBTQIA2S+ business community would be silenced in a very big way. We spend a lot of time meeting with our city officials, and Texas state leaders at the capitol, to ensure that Austin, and Texas, continue to engage and be considerate of all Texas businesses when creating laws that could affect diversity and small business owners.
What can people do to get involved and help make sure that never happens?
No matter what city you live in, it helps to support your nearest LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. If you don't have one near you you can always reach out to the NGLCC who can help find or help create a new LGBTQ chamber in your community. It is also important to stay engaged. It's one thing to become a member and pay the dues, it's a completely different story when your company or brand engages with the local queer community. If you are in Austin, or Texas, our next big event is Advocacy Day at the Capitol in Austin where we meet with our state leaders in their offices and talk to them about why Texas, and our leaders need to keep diversity in mind during this year's legislative session. You can learn more about our Advocacy Day here.
Why does LGBTQ+ visibility matter to you?
It's easy to say "visibility matters." And it does, but visibility also completes me. The more work I do within the LGBTQIA2S+ community the fuller and more realized I become as a human. We have so much more work to do to guarantee equality around the globe but also in my home state of Texas. Austin is a beautiful and diverse city so it's easy to get caught in the "bubble." Unfortunately, we still have many leaders in TX who would like to erase some of our rights. I am visible and stand tall in the fight for all Texans who believe in equality for all. It's so important to do that, no matter who you are.
In your own words, what does “LGBTQ+ safety and support” mean specifically?
LGBTQ+ safety and support means that as a person who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community my identity, my mind, my spirit, and my physical body is being taken into account. And honestly that full breadth of safety and support doesn't exist in many places.
Who are some of your LGBTQ+ heroes?
Sylvestor for sure. As a musician and artist in the late 1970's and 80's, Sylvestor was fiercely visible at a time that wasn't so easy or safe to do so. Glen Maxey, here in Texas, who was the first openly gay member of the Texas legislature. I revere those people who have helped paved the way for all of us now. There are so many I could reference. Whomever started the first LGBTQ focused recovery groups in AA and NA are definitely heroes. But we will probably never know those names.
If you could give LGBTQ+ youth one message, what would it be?
Don't ever lose hope. I've been through some very dark moments where I felt lost and so alone. You need to reach out to someone safe if you are feeling lost. And filling that void inside with drugs or alcohol won't help. Don't do what I did. You deserve love.
Tell us about a time when you felt like the work you do at your organization really mattered or made a difference for the communities you serve?
I'm a music nerd and event person. Taking the lead on producing our Local Pride in Music festival was a big deal for me. Creating a space where my community gathered to support one another and providing a stage for our local queer performers to showcase their talent was such a special moment for me. I also know the upcoming Advocacy Day is going to be very memorable. I've never sat down in an office of a TX state legislator before but I'm here for it!
Anything else you would like to share with the .gay audience?
Having a .gay domain ending is a great way to have visibility. I'm currently working on a side project with the domain TX.gay. It's a great way to be visible and get your message across that your brand or project takes LGBTQ+ safety and support seriously. I hope to have more to talk about TX.gay later this year. And if you would like to work together don't hesitate to reach out.
