As Texas' proposed bathroom bill continues to draw negative national attention, the Dallas LGBT business community is taking a key leadership role in protecting LGBT rights in D-FW and throughout the state.

Tony Vedda, president and CEO of the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce, recently authored a scathing editorial about Senate Bill 6, which restricts people to public bathrooms that correspond to their "biological sex."

"Texas has many critical needs: education, transportation, water, and more," Vedda wrote. "These are the challenges that require the undivided attention of our state legislators, not where less than 1 percent of the population pees."

Vedda's statements reflect the chamber's belief that defeating discriminatory legislation is the most important way to protect LGBT businesses in 2017.

Justin Williams, the Chair of the Board for the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce. (North Texas GLBT Chamber)

"We have dedicated ourselves to being more active in legislative affairs," said Justin Williams, the LGBT chamber's new board chairman, "We aspire to be the driving force in efforts against discriminatory legislation."

Building coalitions to fight discrimination

The chamber's focus on legislative efforts coincides with a renewed focus on LGBT businesses outside of Dallas, which has long been the epicenter of North Texas' gay community. The Oak Lawn-based chamber plans to significantly expand its reach throughout North Texas this year and increase its partnerships with other LGBT-friendly chambers and organizations.

"We want to focus our attention on reaching more business owners in Collin and Tarrant counties that share in our mission and goals," Williams said.

Business groups throughout Texas are also creating new coalitions to fight SB 6, citing the serious economic damage that Indiana and North Carolina suffered after passing similar legislation. In December, the Texas Association of Business and SXSW held a news conference where they warned that the state could lose $8.5 billion if the bathroom bill passes.

On Wednesday, speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, blasted the bathroom bill as a potential turn-off to skilled workers and a threat to Texas' job growth. He then encouraged Texas business leaders to continue voicing their opposition to the bill.

"If you are concerned — I know many of you are — now is the time to speak up," Straus said.