REGULAR MEETING OF THE LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, APRIL 20TH, AT 6:30 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 301 W 2ND ST. 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 Commissioner Kitty McLeod, Vice Chair (she/they) District 1 Mariana Krueger (she/her) KC Shepherd Coyne, Chair (they/he) District 2 Devan Daniel Appointment District 9 District 10 Steven Rivas (he/him) District 3 Rocío Fierro-Pérez (she/her/ella) Mayor Brigitte Bandit (they/she) District 4 Morgan Davis (he/him) Jerry Joe Benson, Secretary (he/him) District 5 Randy Pituk (he/him) Asher Knutson (he/him) District 6 Marlon Johnson (he/him) J. Scott Neal (he/him) District 7 Anna Nguyen (she/her) Garry Brown District 8 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 regular meeting on March 9, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding Austin Emergency Medical Services’ (EMS) trainings for first responders and community members around LGBTQ+ issues, as well as a general update on EMS activities and developments. Briefing by Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Staff, Austin-Travis County EMS. Staff briefing regarding an update on the Levers of Economic Mobility Index. Presentation by Gary Aaron, Business Process Consultant Sr., and Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity & Inclusion. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. 5. 6. Presentation regarding Long Covid awareness and its impact on the LGBTQIA+ community. Presentation by Katie Drackert, Clear the Air ATX, and Dr. Michael Brode, UT Post Covid Clinic. Discussion regarding ways connections among the LGBTQIA+ community. Presentation and discussion regarding planning, logistics, permitting, and funding for Queerbomb 2026. Presentation by Roadkill (x) intergenerational dialogue and to prioritize WORKING GROUP UPDATES 7. 8. Update from the Community Safety Working Group regarding engagement with EMS, Austin Fire Department, and law enforcement, along with key priorities and next …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, March 9, 2026 The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM at the Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, TX, Room #1406 Commissioners in attendance in person: KC Coyne (Chair) Jerry Joe Benson (Secretary) Garry Brown Asher Knutson Randy Pituk Steven Rivas Commissioners in attendance remotely: Kitty McLeod (Vice Chair) Morgan Davis Rocio Fierro-Perez Chair Coyne called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Tamara Hoover – Cheer up Charlies APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission regular meeting of February 9, 2026. The February 9, 2026 minutes were approved on Secretary Benson’s motion, Commissioner Brown’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Bandit, Johnson, Krueger, and Neal were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Presentation regarding the PHLIV Stigma Index and an HIV Resource Guide. Presentation by Michelle Osorio, Public Health Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health and Rick Astray-Caneda III, President, Friends of the David Powell Clinic. The presentation was made by Michelle Osorio, Public Health Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health and Rick Astray-Caneda III, President, Friends of the David Powell Clinic. Presentation by Austin Pride to provide a high-level update and coordination conversation focused on early planning and alignment for 2026 Austin PRIDE. Presentation by Micah Andress, President, Austin PRIDE. The presentation was made by Micah Andress, President, Austin PRIDE. The meeting went into recess without objection at 7:48 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 8:01 p.m. Discussion regarding a priority list for which organizations to invite to present at commission meetings. Discussion was held. Discussion regarding a view-only folder for commissioner resources. Discussion was held. Discussion regarding potential collaboration with the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. Discussion was held. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 7. Report from the FY2026-27 Budget Working Group regarding its proposed budget recommendations. The report was provided by Secretary Benson. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. Approve a budget recommendation for LGBTQ legal navigation and community safety coordination. This item was postponed to later in the meeting without objection on Chair Coyne’s motion. Item 8 was taken up after Item 15. The recommendation for LGBTQ legal navigation and community safety coordination was approved with the below amendments on Secretary Benson’s motion, Commissioner Rivas’ second on a 9-0 …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission Recommendation Number: xxxxxx__-___: Bettie Naylor Street Safety Corridor Date of Approval: [Insert Date] ⸻ Recommendation The LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to immediately establish a Bettie Naylor Street Safety Corridor by permanently restricting general vehicular traffic on West Fourth Street between Colorado Street and Lavaca Street, except for emergency vehicles and permitted commercial deliveries, and to implement coordinated safety mitigation, infrastructure, and venue preplanning measures. Description of Recommendation to Council 1. Austin Incident and Proximity Risk On March 1, 2026, a mass shooting occurred in Austin's West Sixth Street entertainment district, resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries. Public reporting indicates that the suspect drove repeatedly around the block prior to initiating gunfire from a vehicle. The LGBTQIA+ venue The Iron Bear, located at Sixth Street and Lavaca Street, sits approximately four blocks from the incident location. Numerous LGBTQIA+ bars, theaters, bookstores, and community gathering spaces operate along and adjacent to West Fourth Street in close proximity. No permanent vehicle mitigation or corridor restriction measures have been implemented on Bettie Naylor Street following this incident. 2. National Precedent and Foreseeable Risk On January 1, 2025, a vehicle-ramming attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans killed at least 14 people and injured dozens more. Federal authorities investigated the incident as terrorism and national security experts emphasized the vulnerability of dense entertainment corridors to hostile vehicle attacks. More than one year has passed since that incident. The March 1, 2026 Austin shooting further demonstrates vehicle-enabled reconnaissance behavior in a similar nightlife environment. These events reflect established attack patterns involving: ● Firearms and/or knife attacks at entertainment venues; ● Hostile vehicle use in pedestrian corridors; ● Rapid attacker scenarios in nightlife districts. These risks are documented and foreseeable. 3. Bettie Naylor Street Designation Between Congress Avenue and Rio Grande Street, West Fourth Street is designated Bettie Naylor Street, a historic and internationally recognized LGBTQIA+ entertainment and business district. This corridor serves as a cultural, civic, and economic asset for the City of Austin and attracts visitors nationally and internationally. 4. Permanent Vehicle Restriction and Infrastructure The Commission recommends: 1. Permanent restriction of general vehicular traffic on West Fourth Street between Colorado Street and Lavaca Street; 2. Continuous emergency vehicle access; 3. Scheduled, time-windowed commercial deliveries administered by Austin Transportation and Public Works; 4. Installation of …
Economic Mobility Austin Equity & Inclusion Our Time Together • Economic Mobility Overview • Quality-of-Life Studies: Key Connections • Building the Economic Mobility Index • Turning the Index Into Action • Upcoming Event 2 What Drives Economic Mobility Economic mobility is shaped by our systems, policies, and investments — not just individual effort. Mobility includes building wealth and long-term stability for future generations. Education, health, housing, childcare, and strong social conditions enable families to thrive. In Austin, persistent disparities limit opportunities, but a person’s future shouldn’t be determined by their neighborhood or systemic barriers. Beyond Wages Quality of Life We Shape Systems 3 Quality-of-Life Studies: Key Connections High-Level Themes Financial Progress & Economic Outcomes • Deeply affordable housing • • Utility assistance and energy relief Job pipelines and employment access programs Quality of Life & Well-Being • Pop-up clinics in high-need areas • Culturally competent healthcare training • Inclusive planning processes for older adults Opportunities & Access Teen job search portal • • Strengthen multilingual outreach • Partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and public agencies Families, Communities, & Systems • Neighborhood safety audits • Greening and beautification initiatives • Strengthen family-support systems through childcare access and wraparound services 4 Definition Economic mobility addresses systems to improve unfair conditions that influence whether individuals, families, and communities can prosper over time and across generations. It means access to opportunities and resources needed for basic needs, financial security, and a dignified, high quality of life — regardless of race, place, gender, or ability. 5 Economic Mobility Index Human-centered, place-based tool for understanding conditions that shape residents’ ability to thrive in Austin. Visualizes neighborhood- level disparities as defined by economic mobility. Focuses on underlying conditions to guide service delivery and decision- making using data and community insights. Provides a common lens to support coordination, planning, and shared outcomes—without replacing existing tools. 6 Our Approach: Identifying Levers National Frameworks & Local Tools • Drivers of Poverty • Social Vulnerable Index • Justice 40 • Neighborhood Prosperity Dashboard etc. Hybrid Engagement Process • Quality of Life Studies • CoA Commissions • Internal & External Stakeholders • Every Texan Peer Cities Review 10 cities similar in: • State • Size • Demographics • Product CoA Levers of Economic Mobility • 3 Themes • 6 Sub-themes • 18 Levers of Economic Mobility 7 Building the Index Together Early childhood foundations shape mobility • Indicator: Enrollment in early education (public …
March 2026 Long COVID, LGBTQIA+ Community , and Public Health in Austin Introduction Recipient of the American Association of People with Disabilities 2026 Paul G Hearne Emerging Leader Award Contributor to Patient-Led Research Collaborative Board Member & Accessibility Coordinator of Austin Dyke March Founder of Clear the Air ATX 2 ● According to the CDC, Over 6 million people in Texas have a disability, or about 29% of the population. ● Texas also has the lowest health insurance rate in the country, with 13.6% of Texas children and 21.6% of Texas adults who do not have health insurance. This leads to many health barriers for people to access basic care. Healthcare & Disability in Texas Sources: Texas Care for Children , CDC Disability and Health Data System, https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth Less than 2% of U.S. adults are trans or nonbinary, yet nearly 24% of all transgender adults report that they have experienced Long Covid. Bisexual adults report Long Covid cases at the same percentage rate (24%). That makes Trans adults and bisexual adults, along with Disabled adults, are the demographic groups experiencing Long Covid in the highest percentages in the country.” ● Transgender: 27.6% ● Bisexual: 22.9% ● Gay or lesbian: 21.6% ● Cis-gender female: 21.8% ● ● Cis-gender male: 13.7% Straight: 17.3% Long Covid and the LGBTQIA+ Community Research shows people from the LGBTQIA+ community face higher risk of Long COVID. Sources: Clear Health Costs, Posters by Artist Anna @copy_of_a_copy on X. US Household Pulse Survey HIV x Long Covid People with HIV had a significantly higher risk of developing long COVID across multiple organ systems than people without HIV. Sources: 48 Hills Article CIDRAP: HIV infection linked to increased risk of long COVID Long COVID Justice: Reasons PWH are more likely to develop LC One study published in February 2026 utilized linked electronic health records found: Overall, 16.3% of PWH received a long-COVID diagnosis, compared with 10.6% of PWoH, for a 29% higher risk of developing any long-COVID condition. Reasons for this may include: More severe acute COVID-19, Chronic comorbid conditions Socioeconomic factors, HIV virus-specific activity, HIV-associated immune dysfunction & different immune responses to COVID-19 infection, Baseline inflammation due to chronic HIV infection “I’d like to talk about how I see the two pandemics intersecting in my life…I was infected with HIV in 1983 and went on to develop full blown AIDS 10 years later…I had already lost my right …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: 20260420-010: Bettie Naylor Street Safety Corridor The LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to immediately establish a Bettie Naylor Street Safety Corridor by permanently restricting general vehicular traffic on West Fourth Street between Colorado Street and Lavaca Street, except for emergency vehicles and permitted commercial deliveries, and to implement coordinated safety mitigation, infrastructure, and venue preplanning measures. Description of Recommendation to Council 1. Austin Incident and Proximity Risk On March 1, 2026, a mass shooting occurred in Austin's West Sixth Street entertainment district, resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries. Public reporting indicates that the suspect drove repeatedly around the block prior to initiating gunfire from a vehicle. The LGBTQIA+ venue The Iron Bear, located at Sixth Street and Lavaca Street, sits approximately four blocks from the incident location. Numerous LGBTQIA+ bars, theaters, bookstores, and community gathering spaces operate along and adjacent to West Fourth Street in close proximity. No permanent vehicle mitigation or corridor restriction measures have been implemented on Bettie Naylor Street following this incident. 2. National Precedent and Foreseeable Risk On January 1, 2025, a vehicle-ramming attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans killed at least 14 people and injured dozens more. Federal authorities investigated the incident as terrorism and . national security experts emphasized the vulnerability of dense entertainment corridors to hostile vehicle attacks. More than one year has passed since that incident. The March 1, 2026 Austin shooting further demonstrates vehicle-enabled reconnaissance behavior in a similar nightlife environment. These events reflect established attack patterns involving: ● Firearms and/or knife attacks at entertainment venues; ● Hostile vehicle use in pedestrian corridors; ● Rapid attacker scenarios in nightlife districts. These risks are documented and foreseeable. 3. Bettie Naylor Street Designation Between Congress Avenue and Rio Grande Street, West Fourth Street is designated Bettie Naylor Street, a historic and internationally recognized LGBTQIA+ entertainment and business district. This corridor serves as a cultural, civic, and economic asset for the City of Austin and attracts visitors nationally and internationally. 4. Permanent Vehicle Restriction and Infrastructure The Commission recommends: 1. Permanent restriction of general vehicular traffic on West Fourth Street between Colorado Street and Lavaca Street; 2. Continuous emergency vehicle access; 3. Scheduled, time-windowed commercial deliveries administered by Austin Transportation and Public Works; 4. Installation of effective hostile vehicle mitigation …
