LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission - Jan. 27, 2026
LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Special Called Meeting of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Quality of Life Advisory Commission
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026, AT 6:30 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1401/1402 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS 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 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) 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 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8 Appointment District 9 District 10 VACANT Rocío Fierro-Pérez (she/her/ella) Mayor Morgan Davis (he/him) VACANT VACANT VACANT Stakeholder Stakeholder Stakeholder Stakeholder AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 special called meeting on December 8, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. Discussion regarding the commission’s goals over the next year, activity and expectations for working groups, and attendance needs related to quorum. Discussion regarding the City’s response to the commission’s recommendation to televise LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission meetings. Update on the progress of a historical marker on 4th and Colorado street. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 5. Report from the Stakeholder Commissioner Nomination Working Group regarding its proposed nominations for vacant stakeholder commissioner seats. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. 7. Nominate stakeholder commissioners to fill the vacant stakeholder seats on the commission. Conduct officer elections for Secretary. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 8. 9. 10. Update from Budget Working Group regarding its FY 2026-27 budget proposals. Update from Community Safety Working Group regarding the planned schedule of presenters at commission meetings. Update from the Trans Resource Guide Working Group regarding the current inventory of resource guides and content revision. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2025 The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a special called meeting on Monday, December 8, 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: Kitty McLeod (Vice Chair) Jerry Joe Benson Garry Brown Morgan Davis Mariana Krueger J. Scott Neal Steve Rivas Commissioners in attendance remotely: Asher Knutson Brigitte Bandit Vice Chair McLeod called the meeting to order at 6:36 P.M. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Jess Robertson – SB8 IFC APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission regular meeting on October 15, 2025. This item was taken up after Item 2 without objection. The minutes of the October 15, 2025 meeting were approved with the below amendment on Commissioner Scott’s motion, Commissioner Brown’s second on a 9-0 vote. Chair Coyne and Commissioners Fierro-Pérez and Treviño were absent. The amendment was to add “Commissioner Neal abstained because he was unable to review recommendation language prior to the vote” to Item 5. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. Update on the progress of the LGBTQ+ Cultural Center Feasibility Study Task Force. Presentation by Mark Gilbert, Director, Hayat Brown. The presentation was made by Mark Gilbert, Director, Hayat Brown. Discussion regarding the implications of SB8 on City Facilities. Discussion was held. Discussion regarding the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling on drag shows. Discussion was held. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Update from the Community Safety Working Group regarding planning for the February Community Safety Town Hall and a recap of the group’s recent meeting with the Chief of Police regarding the Community Liaison O(cid:431)icer Program and next steps. Update by Commissioner Benson. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve the 2026 Annual Meeting Schedule of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission. There was a motion by Commissioner Brown to change the February meeting date to February 23rd. The motion was withdrawn. The 2026 Annual Meeting Schedule of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission was approved with the below amendments on Vice Chair McLeod’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 9-0 vote. Chair Coyne and Commissioners Fierro-Pérez and Treviño were absent. The amendments were to strike February 16th and insert February 9th, strike March 16th and insert March 9th, and strike December 2st and insert …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Commision Recommendation Number: (202601XX-XXX): Entrepreneurial Grants for LGBTQIA+ Businesses WHEREAS, local LGBTQIA+ owned businesses contribute significantly to the cultural identity, neighborhood character, and economic vitality of the City of Austin; and WHEREAS, small businesses owned by LGBTQIA+ individuals often face disproportionate barriers to accessing capital, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty and rising operating costs; and WHEREAS, similar City initiatives supporting minority and underserved business owners have demonstrated success in fostering entrepreneurship, business stability, and local job creation; and WHEREAS, no-interest loan and grant programs provide effective, responsible tools for supporting emerging and existing LGBTQIA+ businesses without creating unsustainable debt burdens; and WHEREAS, continued and expanded support for LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs aligns with the City of Austin’s commitments to inclusive economic development, small business resilience, and cultural preservation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Commission recommends that the Austin City Council expand and continue the City’s entrepreneurial support program for local LGBTQIA+ businesses. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission recommends allocating $200,000 to support no-interest loans and entrepreneurial assistance for LGBTQIA+ owned businesses, building upon prior program models and leveraging existing City economic development infrastructure. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Commission encourages the City to prioritize outreach to small, locally owned, and community-serving LGBTQIA+ businesses that may face barriers to traditional financing. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Page 1 of 2 Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign) Page 2 of 2 BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Commision Recommendation Number: (202601XX-XXX): Expansion of MPox, STI, and Vaccination Programs WHEREAS, the City of Austin has recognized the importance of integrated vaccination and prevention programs, including Hepatitis and Flu outreach, as essential components of LGBTQIA+ public health efforts; and WHEREAS, Austin health departments and community health centers serving LGBTQIA+ residents, including community-based clinics and nonprofit providers, have demonstrated strong capacity and effectiveness in delivering culturally competent vaccination and prevention services; and WHEREAS, MPox continues to present an ongoing public health concern, particularly for LGBTQIA+ communities, and requires sustained vaccination, education, and outreach efforts rather than one-time emergency responses; and WHEREAS, recent reductions in federal and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public health funding have placed increased pressure on local governments to maintain continuity of vaccination, STI, and HIV prevention programs; and WHEREAS, expanded local funding would support not only MPox vaccination efforts, but …
