THE ECONOMIC CASE
For An LGBTQIA+-Friendly State
With a $2.9 trillion economy, Texas would rank as the world's eighth-largest economy if it were an independent nation. More than 2 million LGBTQ+ people live in Texas, making it home to the second-largest LGBTQ+ population in the United States, behind only California. Maintaining our competitive edge requires attracting exceptional talent, driving innovation, and fostering communities where LGBTQIA+ people and their families can live, work, and thrive.
As the workforce evolves, this becomes increasingly important. Nearly one in four Gen Z adults identifies as LGBTQ+, and that generation is rapidly helping drive the Texas economy, consumer base, and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Businesses that want to win tomorrow must invest in the people shaping the future of Texas today.
Texas Competes. Texas Wins.
Talent goes where people feel they can thrive.
Business leaders know that long-term success depends on attracting exceptional talent, earning trust, and adapting to a changing marketplace. Texas Competes helps employers navigate workforce trends, public policy, and business best practices that strengthen the Texas economy and keep our state competitive.
47%
Of meeting and convention planners say they will “absolutely avoid” booking meetings in states that pass anti-LGBT legislation
$75M
Estimated economic impact of hosting a NCAA Final Four tournament. The NCAA is questioning future host cities on discrimination protections as part of selection criteria.
1 Billion
Number of negative social media posts about Indiana’s stance on LGBT rights in just 30 days in 2015
$600M
Five-year economic damage to hotel & meetings industry, as estimated by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, if anti-LGBT legislation had been signed into law
2,000+
New jobs lost due to canceled corporate investments in North Carolina over LGBT issues
1,000
new jobs lost at Angie’s List, after it halted a $40 million expansion in Indiana over LGBT issues
$1 Billion
Facebook’s investment in a new data center in Fort Worth; executives cited the city’s LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination law as part of their decision
Attracting Competitive Talent
79%
Non-LGBT Millennials want to see workplace non-discrimination for their peers
75%
Millennials will make up 75% of the U.S. workforce by 2030 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
30%
States with LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination protections attract large numbers of inventors, who in turn produce 30% more patents than their peers (Harvard Business Review)