Pride with Purpose: A Conversation with Chamber Board Member Thomas Lopez
Pride in a Time of Uncertainty
“Pride Month, to me, is about stopping, reflecting, celebrating, and rallying,” Thomas says. But these moments of celebration now come with heavier considerations. “Our rights are still in question,” he adds. “Marriage equality was a Supreme Court ruling—it can be overturned.”
For Thomas, who is now married with children, the stakes are even higher. “I used to put a Pride flag out without thinking,” he says. “But since the last election, I took it down—not because of fear, but because I now have a family to protect.”
That vulnerability became starkly real in his own neighborhood. “My neighbor literally yelled over the fence at me for being homosexual,” he recounts. “This is where we are. I still celebrate Pride, but I do so more cautiously now.”
Finding His Voice Through Visibility
Thomas’s advocacy journey took a new turn when he co-founded the Let’s Talk About Gay Stuff podcast. What began as a fun way to commemorate LGBTQ+ history quickly turned into a mission of education and empowerment.
“We started during the 50th anniversary of Stonewall,” he explains. “It became clear we were doing more than just telling stories—we were making people feel seen, reminding them they’re not alone.”
Economic Equality Is Advocacy
As a Chamber board member, Thomas brings a powerful lens to his work: economic impact. “Small business is the great equalizer,” he says. “Whether you’re an LGBTQ+ person or not, you’re a taxpayer, an employer, a consumer.”
That shared identity, he believes, can build bridges—even with those who may not initially see the LGBTQ+ community as part of their world. “When harmful laws are passed—drag bans, book bans—they don’t just hurt people emotionally. They hurt our businesses’ ability to thrive.”
The Chamber’s focus on economic opportunity and empowerment gives it a unique place in the advocacy landscape. “It’s about more than just visibility,” Thomas says. “It’s about proving our value in dollars and cents. That’s what speaks to people in power.”
Building Structure, Creating Opportunity
Thomas describes his professional approach as “order to chaos”—a philosophy he brings to the Chamber. “People come with lots of ideas,” he says. “I try to help us organize them, turn them into action, and build sustainable systems.”
Whether it’s growing the Chamber’s membership to over 550 or connecting small businesses to local and corporate partners, he takes pride in playing a role in the Chamber’s success. “It’s not about me,” he insists. “It’s about supporting Tammi’s incredible vision and helping the Chamber deliver real, measurable impact.”
From Struggle to Pipeline: The Long Game of Advocacy
Thomas is candid about the systemic barriers LGBTQ+ people face. “Over 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+,” he notes. “Less than 1% of Fortune 500 CEOs are openly LGBTQ+. These numbers matter.”
But he’s also hopeful: “We’re building a pipeline—from youth, to education, to business ownership. If we can protect and support our community from the beginning, we change what’s possible at every level.”
Advice for the Next Generation of Leaders
Asked what advice he’d offer future leaders, Thomas keeps it simple: get involved. “You don’t need money to start—just time. Volunteer. Get engaged. Learn about the people you’re helping.”
Leadership, he says, grows from commitment and curiosity. “You gain understanding, credibility, and a real chance to make change.”
The Next Five Years: Expanding the Model
Looking ahead, Thomas wants the Chamber to continue driving economic impact—and to become a model for other cities and states.
“Let’s be the blueprint,” he says. “We’ve already made great strides with—the City of Houston recognizing the LGBTBE® certification. But we can take that influence statewide and national.”
His vision includes a stronger voice in policymaking, increased public-private partnerships, and growing the foundation to support LGBTQ+ youth and future business leaders.
“Even if you don’t love us,” he says with a wry smile, “you should want us to be successful taxpayers.”
Thomas’s story is a reminder that Pride isn’t just a celebration—it’s a call to action. It's about resilience, visibility, and the powerful ways that advocacy and economic empowerment intersect. As the Chamber continues to grow, leaders like Thomas Lopez ensure the work is grounded in both purpose and progress.