Members of the Greater Austin Chamber Board of Directors joined more than 100 Texas business women, religious leaders, sexual assault experts, mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and women from across the spectrum in opposition to the proposed discriminatory bathroom legislation.

“One of the main reasons that I love going to work every day and doing what I do, is because we have a culture of inclusion,” said Jennifer J. Davis, Vice President of Global Communications of Dell. “We include and promote our employees who have the very best ideas to serve our company and our customers. These bathroom bills are distracting. We need the Legislature to focus on what matters—education and bringing the skills into Texas that we need.”

Throughout the 30-day Special Session, Texas lawmakers have contemplated passage of three anti-LGBT bills including: HB 46 which prohibits municipalities and schools from protecting transgender students from discrimination; HB 50 which is identical but only applies to school districts; and SB 23 which prohibits cities and towns from passing ordinances that protect LGBT people from discrimination and rescinds existing ordinances. If these bills are passed, Texas could lose nearly $5.6 billion.

“The folks that make up the tourism and hospitality industry depend on a robust tourism economy for their livelihoods and they welcome everyone regardless of their walk of life,” said Julie Chase, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We have lost $10 million at this point because the bathroom debate has dragged on, another $15 million will cancel if this bill is passed. That’s just the start. We cannot afford this. Bathroom bills and discrimination make Texas a less welcoming and less hospitable state. And that’s bad for both businesses and families.”

During the rally, Texas women encouraged lawmakers to consider legislation that will improve the lives of every Texan instead of bias or fear. This included more funding for public education and reform for child protective services.

“I am here to represent an often over looked political and economic force—small business and start ups,” said Mellie Price, Co-founder of the Capitol Factory. “For years we have been shouting, signing pledges, issued public letters from the most prominent investors in our ecosystem, we have sent countless tweets and countless blogs because that is how we communicate. But apparently, that is not good enough. We have to show up here for our voice to be heard. In Texas, we do not legislate people out of public spaces simply because they are perceived to be different.”

You CAN help with this effort. Call your representative to voice your opposition to the bill or send a letter to Texas lawmakers here.

For questions regarding the Chamber’s state agenda, contact Dana Harris, VP of Federal and State Advocacy at 512-322-5647 or Drew Scheberle, SVP of Policy and Advocacy at 512-322-5628.

Pictured (L-R): Anne Wynne of Ikard Wynne and Board Member of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce; Jennifer J. Davis of Dell; Dana Harris of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce; Kerry Hall of Texas Capital Bank and Economic Development Vice Chair for the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Leslie Wingo of Sanders Wingo; and Liz Hocker of Texas Capital Bank.