LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission - July 8, 2024
LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Regular Meeting of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Quality of Life Advisory Commission - City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752
REGULAR MEETING of the LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, July 8, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1401/1402 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 MEETING AGENDA Some members of the Commission may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once, either in-person or remotely, and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Alyssa Parra, the Commission’s staff liaison, at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Dereca Sims VACANT Yuri G Barragán Brigitte Bandit Jerome Benson David Garza J. Scott Neal, Chair CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Appointment Commissioner Appointment District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 Garry Brown Mariana Krueger Brandon Wollerson VACANT Charles Curry Dr. Melissa Taylor Morgan Davis Alexander Andersen AGENDA District 8 District 9 District 10 Mayor Stakeholder Stakeholder Stakeholder Stakeholder The first ten speakers signed up before the meeting is called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Page 1 of 4 MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission’s Regular Meeting on June 10, 2024. 2. Briefing on the LGPOA Conference from Sergeant Michael Wilmore-Crumrine from the Austin 3. Briefing on Monkey Pox from Isbel Cantu, Mpox/Flu Program Coordinator from Austin Public 4. Updates from the Community and Communication working group and the chair selection for the 5. Approve a recommendation from the New Commissioner Working group for a nomination to 6. Approve a recommendation to Council to conduct a feasibility study for an LGBTQIA+ Cultural 7. Approve a working group for Austin's PRIDE Month and PRIDE-associated events and planning 8. Discussion of the commission's next area of focus and short and long-term goals and set a date for a strategic planning meeting. STAFF BRIEFINGS Police Department. Health. DISCUSSION ITEMS working group. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS the commission. Center. schedule. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are …
4th World Conference for LGBTQI+ Criminal Justice Professionals August 5-8, 2025 proudtobeyourfriend.org A one-of-a-kind conference • For nearly a decade, International LGBTQI+ identified criminal justice professionals, educators, and human rights advocates have come together to learn from each other on how best to decrease homophobia, transphobia and biphobia in their communities and workplace. • The world conference is not your typical conference. It is a conference that brings together different disciplines, jurisdictions, nationalities and cultures to have an interactive experience involving honest, cross-sector dialogue, about the leading topics affecting the LGBTQI+ community. The plenary sessions, discussion panels, and break-out sessions tackle the most pressing issues the criminal justice system has in creating sustainable positive relationships between the LGBTQI+ community and criminal justice organizations. • The conference is designed to help leaders take away workable programs, policies, & practices to Bridge the Gap of social and racial inequity, while helping to end gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination. It is a professional development conference where employees can learn how to create a work environment that supports LGBTQI+ identified individuals and celebrates their diversity. • The conference will help to Bridge the Gap between the LGBTQI+ community and the Criminal Justice Profession so anyone, regardless of identify or orientation, feels safe and is treated with the dignity and the respect they deserve. proudtobeyourfriend.org Austin Pride Parade Texas State Capital An exclusive world-wide audience • We anticipate the conference will be attended by over 500 criminal justice leaders and decision makers, drawn from over 30 countries around the world and nearly every state in the United States. proudtobeyourfriend.org
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240708-06 Feasibility Study for an LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center WHEREAS, the 2021 LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Study estimated that 5.9% of the Austin metro population identifies as LGBT, WHEREAS, the LGBTQIA+ community in Austin significantly contributes to the cultural, social, and economic vitality of the city, WHEREAS, LGBTQIA+ individuals often face unique challenges and disparities in areas such as healthcare, housing, and employment, WHEREAS, creating dedicated spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community can enhance visibility, foster a sense of belonging, and provide essential services, WHEREAS, similar cultural centers in other cities have successfully provided safe havens, community resources, and cultural enrichment for LGBTQIA+ populations, WHEREAS, community feedback has consistently highlighted the need for a central, accessible location for LGBTQIA+ events, support services, and advocacy, WHEREAS, the establishment of an LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center aligns with the City of Austin’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, WHEREAS, the Texas Legislature has and continues to target members of the LGBTQIA+ community, increasing the need for a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to assemble and access resources, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends that the Austin City Council establish a task force to determine the feasibility of building an LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City Manager is directed to include all relevant community stakeholders in the Cultural Center task force, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: community organizations, local businesses, healthcare providers, and representatives from the LGBTQIA+ community. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the task force should consider and identify opportunities for funding, including but not limited to federal grants and public-private partnerships. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City Manager shall report back to the City Council and the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission with the task force’s findings January 2024. Page 1 of 2 VOTE Date of Approval: Record of the Vote: Present: Attest: Page 2 of 2
APH IMMUNIZATIONS UNIT: MPOX EPIDEMIOLOGY Our case patients are overwhelmingly male (98.1%), mostly white (63%), and the median age is 33 years old. Exposure is almost always via sexual contact. Hispanic : 39.9%, non-Hispanic : 49.4% unknown ethnicity :10.7% Most identify as Gay (MSM) 2 LOW RATES ARE GOOD BUT MAKE EDUCATION MORE CHALLENGING - many people had the sense that it was over and nothing to worry about - We try to utilize what we know from Epi data to focus education/outreach BARRIERS TO VACCINATION We rolled out our mpox survey to gauge hesitation and views on mpox vaccination. Anecdotally, we have heard the following : - many people are not educated on what mpox is even though they may be at risk. - Some are unsure whether they are at risk; PCP’s not suggesting it - hard to get through to appointment lines. - low rates are making people worry less - unsure about vaccine effectiveness, despite education 4 EDUCATION/OUTREACH - updated our APH website about mpox -I quality check the vaccine locator on CDC -Collaborated more closely with our HIV targeted testing team - outreach at Package, Sir Rat, Austin Eagle - table at Ashwell clinic peer support group - host pop up vaccination clinics at Vivent Health who no longer offer the vaccine. -mpox education is offered at all of our tabling events around Austin 5 MEDICAL PROVIDER EDUCATION - Hosted 2 TCMS provider Townhalls -Nurse-centered townhall is upcoming -Educating urgent care practices around Austin LGBTQIA+ FOCUSED ONLINE SPACES Ongoing public campaign in the following dating sites: 7 FILLING GAPS - Built rapport with Vivent Health to host pop-up vaccination clinics for mpox -Collaborate with our targeted testing team to focus vaccination and education on unhoused population at Walgreens/Little Walnut Creek Library - Hosted a pop-up vaccination clinic at RBJ Sexual Health Clinic - Upcoming: Collaborating with Medical Reserve Corps to host a larger scale vaccination event at Montopolis Rec Center. - Continue Gift Card Incentives 8 An Example of an Instagram story post FINAL TAKEAWAYS We want to maximize our limited resources • We have been meeting CDC deliverables and creating strong rapport and connection both within APH and externally. • We would love feedback on any spaces that we should work to be in. • Would love to be connected by you if possible! 9 THANK YOU Isabel Cantu, Mpox/Flu Program Coordinator 512-972-5426 isabel.cantu@austintexas.gov …
