REGULAR MEETING of the LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, October 20, 2025, at 6:30 P.M. Austin City Hall, Boards & Commissions Room 1101 301 W 2nd St., Austin, Texas 78701 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 Ryan Sperling, Office of the City Clerk, at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Appointment Kitty McLeod, Vice Chair (she/they) District 1 Commissioner Mariana Krueger (she/her) Appointment District 9 District 10 VACANT Rocío Fierro-Pérez (she/her/ella) Mayor VACANT VACANT Morgan Davis (he/him) Taylor Treviño (she/her) Stakeholder Stakeholder Stakeholder Stakeholder KC Coyne, Chair (they/them) Steven Rivas (he/him) Brigitte Bandit (they/she) Jerry Joe Benson (he/him) Asher Knutson (he/him) J. Scott Neal (he/him) Garry Brown CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8 AGENDA The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission's regular meeting of September 15, 2025. Page 1 of 4 STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Briefing regarding the Homeless Strategy Office’s current homelessness response efforts and key metrics, use of funding that targets trans community needs, and potential commission support. Briefing by David Gray, Director, Homeless Strategy Office. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation informing commissioners about the new ASHwell Community Center. Presentation by Cy Herrera, Executive Director, ASHwell. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve the 2026 Annual Meeting Schedule of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission. 5. Approve a Recommendation for Equal Access to IVF Benefits. 6. Approve a Recommendation for a Proclamation for Transgender Day of Remembrance. 7. Approve a Recommendation to Review Austin Pride. 8. Approve a Recommendation to Promote Safety, Dignity, and Equity in Restroom Access in City of Austin Facilities. 9. Discussion regarding the removal of rainbow crosswalks at 4th and Colorado streets, and possible action to approve a recommendation to prevent their removal. 10. Approve changes …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, DATE, 2025 The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a special called meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd St., Austin, Texas 78701, Boards & Commissions Room 1101. Commissioners in attendance in person: KC Coyne (Chair) Kitty McLeod (Vice Chair) Brigitte Bandit Jerry Joe Benson Garry Brown Asher Knutson Mariana Krueger Steven Rivas Commissioners in attendance remotely: Morgan Davis Taylor Treviño Rocío Fierro-Pérez Chair Coyne called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Muna Hussaini – Hate Crimes Task Force Katie Lorenz – COA “Fertility Benefit” APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission's regular meeting of August 18, 2025. The minutes were approved on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Brown’s second on an 11-0 vote. Commissioners Andersen and Neal were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion regarding the City’s Fertility Assistance Program and In vitro fertilization benefit gaps. Presentation by Selena Xie. The presentation was made by Selena Xie. 3. Update on LGBTQIA+-related bills in the special session of the Texas state legislature. Presentation by Miriam Laeky, Government Affairs Director, Equality Texas. The presentation was made by Miriam Laeky, Government Affairs Director, Equality Texas. Page 1 of 4 4. Discussion regarding the state of transgender rights in Texas and how the commission can respond in Austin. Discussed. 5. Discussion regarding a potential survey to engage the community about areas of concern regarding the pillars included in the commission’s 2024-2025 annual report. Discussed. 6. Discussion regarding the results of Austin Pride 2025. Discussed. 7. Discussion on the formulation of budget recommendations for the FY2026-27 budget. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. Approve the formation of a working group to formulate budget recommendations for the City of Austin FY2026- 27 Budget. The motion to approve the formation of a working group to formulate budget recommendations for the City of Austin FY2026-27 Budget was approved on Commissioner Brown’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on an 11-0 vote. Commissioners Andersen and Neal were absent. Members: Benson (Chair), McLeod, Brown, Rivas, Coyne 9. Approve changes to commission working group membership. Discussed. No action was taken. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 10. Update from the Community Safety Working Group regarding planning for the upcoming Community Safety Town Hall and outreach assignments. Update by Commissioner Benson FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Recommendation …
RECOMMENDATION NO. [Assigned by City Clerk] A RECOMMENDATION REQUESTING CITY COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO REVIEW THE CITY’S IN-VITRO-FERTILIZATION (IVF) COVERAGE, AUDIT UTILIZATION AND IMPACTS, AND RETROACTIVELY REIMBURSE IMPACTED CITY EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE 2022 COUNCIL RESOLUTION, WITH SPECIFIC ATTENTION TO EQUITABLE ACCESS FOR LGBTQ/SAME-SEX COUPLES. WHEREAS, in September 2022, the Austin City Council passed a resolution directing staff to provide inclusive fertility and family-building benefits for City employees, including those in same-sex and other LGBTQ+ families; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin is a self-insured employer and therefore has the authority to design and administer benefits beyond those offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield, as demonstrated by additional programs being implemented effective January 2026; and WHEREAS, City staff implemented only the vendor’s “medical infertility” program, which failed to meet Council’s stated intent, leaving a multi-year gap in access for LGBTQ+ families; and WHEREAS, employees and their families reasonably relied on the Council’s 2022 directive when making financial and personal decisions about IVF and family planning, and the City’s failure to fully implement those benefits caused financial and emotional harm; WHEREAS, the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission has heard directly from City employees who have been directly affected by this gap and who have incurred significant personal financial burden because of this oversight; and WHEREAS, inclusive reproductive healthcare access is essential to the health, safety, and well- being of LGBTQIA+ employees, and equitable benefits align with the City’s values of fairness, transparency, and inclusion; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager and the Human Resources Department to audit potential gaps in coverage and their impacts, including all IVF and fertility benefit inquiries and expenses incurred by City employees between October 2022 and January 2026 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: The Commission recommends that the City Council require the Human Resources/Benefits Committee to provide annual public reports on the implementation, utilization, and accessibility of LGBTQIA+ family-building benefits to ensure accountability and transparency. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: The Commission recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager to establish a reimbursement mechanism for qualifying out-of-pocket expenses incurred by families who should have had insurance coverage; and recommends City Council allocate emergency interim funding to cover employees who incurred IVF-related expenses during the coverage gap, ensuring LGBTQ+ families are not …
RECOMMENDATION NO. [Assigned by City Clerk] A RECOMMENDATION REQUESTING CITY COUNCIL TO ISSUE AN ANNUAL PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING NOVEMBER 20th, 2025 AS TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE AND DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO COORDINATE CITY PARTICIPATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS EFFORTS. WHEREAS, the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), observed annually on November 20, honors the memory of transgender and gender-diverse people whose lives have been lost to acts of anti- transgender violence; WHEREAS, TDOR was founded in 1999 by advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to memorialize Rita Hester, and has since grown into an internationally recognized observance affirming the dignity, resilience, and humanity of transgender communities; WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and safety for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive residents and employees through its policies, programs, and partnerships; WHEREAS, formal recognition of TDOR through a City of Austin proclamation and coordinated City participation would reaffirm the City’s values of respect, justice, and belonging, while providing visible support for a community that continues to experience disproportionate levels of violence, discrimination, and erasure; and, WHEREAS, many U.S. cities—including Dallas, San Antonio, Denver, and Portland—have adopted formal proclamations and partnerships for TDOR to demonstrate solidarity and public commitment to trans equity and safety; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council issue an annual proclamation recognizing November 20th, 2025 as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the City of Austin, beginning in 2025 and continuing annually thereafter. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: The Commission recommends that City Council direct the City Manager to direct appropriate City departments—including the Equity Office, Human Resources Department, and Communications and Public Information Office—to coordinate City participation, including public acknowledgment, employee education, and community engagement efforts aligned with local TDOR observances. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: The Commission recommends that City Council direct City staff to collaborate with local transgender- led organizations in planning and promoting annual TDOR observances to ensure authenticity, safety, and community representation. Sponsored by: [Commissioner Name(s)] Date Approved by Commission: [Insert Date]
RECOMMENDATION NO. [Assigned by City Clerk] A RECOMMENDATION REQUESTING CITY COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO REVIEW THE CITY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH AUSTIN PRIDE, EXPLORE CROSS-CITY BENCHMARKING OF PRIDE FESTIVALS, AND IDENTIFY OPTIONS FOR CITY-SUPPORTED PRIDE CELEBRATIONS AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF YEAR TO BETTER REFLECT THE AUSTIN LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY’S NEEDS. WHEREAS, the City of Austin recognizes the importance of Pride celebrations in affirming the visibility, safety, and belonging of LGBTQIA+ residents, employees, and visitors; WHEREAS, the Austin Pride festival has historically served as the city’s flagship celebration of LGBTQIA+ communities, but the current organizational structure, funding relationship, and scheduling approach have raised questions about inclusivity, transparency, and alignment with City values; WHEREAS, many major U.S. cities directly fund, coordinate, or partner with local Pride events through structured agreements, city-led committees, or grants that ensure accountability, equity, and representation across LGBTQIA+ subcommunities; WHEREAS, Austin’s Pride celebration is typically held in August, which presents accessibility and safety challenges due to extreme heat, and diverges from the June national observance of Pride Month, limiting coordination with regional and national advocacy efforts; WHEREAS, local community groups and LGBTQ+ leaders have expressed interest in expanding Austin’s Pride-related programming, including trans visibility events, queer arts and culture showcases, and inclusive family-oriented celebrations that reflect the full spectrum of Austin’s unique LGBTQIA+ community; and, WHEREAS, reviewing Austin’s current approach and benchmarking against peer cities could help identify best practices for equitable city partnerships, funding models, and scheduling that better support community needs; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager to review the City’s current relationship with Austin Pride, including potential funding mechanisms, contracts, city services support, and coordination across departments (including Economic Development, Equity Office, and Visit Austin). BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: The Commission recommends that the City Council direct staff to conduct a benchmarking analysis of Pride festivals in comparable cities—such as Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Denver, and Portland—to assess governance structures, timing, city support models, and community engagement practices. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: The Commission recommends that the City Council direct staff to explore and evaluate options for hosting or supporting additional City-recognized Pride celebrations at other times of year, including events aligned with national LGBTQ+ observances such as Pride Month (June), Trans Day of Visibility (March), or LGBTQ History Month (October). BE IT FURTHER …
Our Vision: Everyone has access to stable housing and the support they need to thrive. HSO Strategic Pillars System Leadership We are a trusted system leader, working collaboratively to ensure an efficient, accessible, and effective homeless response. Impactful Community Investments We make investments that resolve individual experiences of homelessness and result in meaningful system change. Crisis Response System Management We ensure that people experiencing homelessness have easy access to basic needs, outreach, crisis shelter, and other services to support survival and pathways to stable housing. Communications Through public dialogue and intentional communication with stakeholders, we strengthen community trust, align efforts and drive systemwide impact. Investing in our People We pursue a culture of continuous learning, creating a collaborative, supportive, and engaging workplace that centers growth, development, and well-being. Our staff are inspired and empowered to drive meaningful change. We’re building the capacity to serve more households and reduce unsheltered homelessness. We’re getting upstream with prevention and early intervention, serving more Austinites more quickly. Example Housing Situations • People facing eviction • People with low incomes who are severely rent burdened • People experiencing partner or family violence • People who are doubled up or living in other unstable housing situations HSO Investments in Early Intervention • Digital navigation and resource hotline • Prevention programs for households/youth • Diversion resources for quick resolution of new homelessness • Leverage brick-and-mortar facilities such as shelters and navigation centers to provide rapid exit funds. Help Households Exit Homelessness & Then Promote Stability Stabilize Divert Quickly Resolve Crisis When Not Prevented Prevent Problem Solve Before Crisis Happens $34,000-$40,000 Average cost of RRH or PSH services and subsidy per client per year. $2,040 Average one-time cost per early intervention per client. Spotlight: Digital Innovations PEH Text Alert System • Launched in 2023 to enhance emergency notifications. • Reaches more than 5,000 subscribers. Navigation Hotline • Staffed 60 hours per week. • Immediate screening for early intervention eligibility. • Live referrals to appropriate resources. • 1/3 of callers are families with children. Service Pods • Deployed at high traffic social and health service locations, like navigation centers and emergency rooms. • Video conferencing and tele-health capabilities. • Clients can complete or update a housing assessment. • Reduces need to visit brick-and-mortar locations. Online Resource Finder • Launched austintexas.gov/opennow in 2025. • Provides interactive, up-to-date information on the availability and locations of resources. We’re learning from our successes …
A RECOMMENDATION REQUESTING CITY COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE RESTROOM ACCESS POLICY FOR CITY-OWNED AND CITY-LEASED FACILITIES THAT ENSURES SAFETY, DIGNITY, PRIVACY, AND RESPECT FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS WHILE COMPLYING WITH STATE LAW; TO EXPAND SINGLE-STALL ALL-GENDER RESTROOMS WITH CLEAR SIGNAGE; TO REQUIRE INCLUSIVE DESIGN IN NEW CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATIONS; TO MANDATE STAFF TRAINING ON INCLUSIVITY AND DE-ESCALATION; TO PROHIBIT HARASSMENT AND INVASIVE ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES; AND TO ESTABLISH COORDINATED IMPLEMENTATION, REPORTING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES. ⸻ WHEREAS, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 8 (SB 8), also known as the "Texas Women's Privacy Act," into law on September 22, 2025. The law restricts bathroom usage in government-owned buildings and public schools based on sex assigned at birth and is scheduled to take effect on December 4, 2025, applying to all state agencies, public universities, local governments, and public educational institutions, including K-12 schools; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and safe environment for all residents, workers, and visitors, including transgender, gender non- conforming, nonbinary, and Two-Spirit individuals, building on existing non-discrimination policies enforced by the Office of Equity & Inclusion (OEI); and WHEREAS, guidance from leading civil-rights organizations emphasizes the importance of affirming all-gender restrooms, clear and inclusive signage, staff training, and departmental accountability to ensure safety, dignity, and compliance with applicable laws; and ⸻ NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager to develop and implement a comprehensive restroom access policy for city- owned and city-leased facilities that ensures privacy, safety, dignity, and respect for all individuals while complying with state law. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: The LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that City Council require the policy, at minimum: (1) the expansion of single-stall, all-gender restrooms with clear, inclusive signage that avoids gendered labels and promotes universal access; (2) that all new construction, renovations, updates, and City-owned or City-leased facilities shall provide single-stall, all-gender restrooms as a standard design feature for harm reduction, privacy, and safety, consistent with applicable building codes; (3) mandatory staff training on inclusivity, de-escalation, and respectful engagement; and (4) a prohibition on harassment and any invasive or discriminatory enforcement practices, including attempted verification of a person's anatomy, gender, or gender identity. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: The LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that …
