REGULAR MEETING OF THE LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2026 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) Appointment District 9 KC Shepherd Coyne, Chair (they/he) District 2 Devan Daniel (he/him) 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 August 17, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Briefing regarding the status of grant funding related to HIV/STI public health services. Presentation by Cassandra DeLeon, Deputy Director, Austin Public Health. Briefing regarding the Human Rights Impact Review. Presentation by Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Austin Equity & Inclusion DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. 5. Discussion regarding potential support for businesses in the Red River Cultural District that provide critical LGBTQ+ gathering and performance space. Discussion on a panel for former commission members, including possible discussion questions and invitees. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. 7. 8. Update from the cultural center working group on next steps and continued advocacy on the LGBTQ Cultural Center. Update from the community safety working group on progress on their working group goals Update from the trans resource guide working group regarding their progress on forming and distributing a trans resource guide. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 9. 10. Report from the budget follow-up working group regarding the implementation of the commission’s budget recommendations. Report from …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2026 The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, August 17, 2026 at 7:00 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 Garry Brown Devan Daniel Morgan Davis Marlon Johnson Asher Knutson Mariana Krueger J. Scott Neal Anna Nguyen Randy Pituk Steven Rivas Commissioners in attendance remotely: Rocío Fierro-Pérez Chair Coyne called the meeting to order at 7:09 P.M. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Ry Vaz – 4th Street Park Idea Carlos A Soto – Community Advancement Network (CAN) APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. 2. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission regular meeting of July 20, 2026 There was a motion by Commissioner Neal, seconded by Commissioner Coyne, to amend the minutes to add “at his request” after “Neal” on Item 13. The motion was approved on a 15-0 vote. The minutes were approved as amended on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Brown’s second on a 15-0 vote. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Special Called Meeting of August 12, 2026. There was a motion by Vice Chair McLeod, seconded by Chair Coyne, to amend the minutes to correct the spelling of Vice Chair McLeod’s name. The motion was approved on a 14-0 vote. Commissioner Nguyen abstained. The minutes were approved as amended on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Secretary Benson’s second on a 14-0 vote. Commissioner Nguyen abstained. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. Update on progress of the LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center Feasibility Study. Presentation by Mark Gilbert, Director, Hayat Brown, and Brian Carlson, Principal, McKinney York. The presentation was made by Mark Gilbert, Director, Hayat Brown, and Brian Carlson, Principal, McKinney York. Discussion was reopened on Item 3 to ask additional questions. Presentation regarding a review of the LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center Feasibility Study and next steps. Presentation by John Stenzel, AIA, 2026 Chair; and Zachary Henry- Litchliter, AIA, 2026 Chair-Elect, American Institute of Architects Austin LGBTQIA+ Alliance. The presentation was made by John Stenzel, AIA, 2026 Chair; and Zachary Henry-Litchliter, AIA, 2026 Chair-Elect, American Institute of Architects Austin LGBTQIA+ Alliance. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a recommendation supporting the LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center Feasibility Study and next steps. There was a motion by Vice Chair …
CITY OF AUSTIN LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION | HEALTH WORKING GROUP CITY OF AUSTIN Building a Healthier Austin A Public Health and Quality of Life Framework for LGBTQIA2S+ Austinites LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission Health Working Group PHASE I FINDINGS & DRAFT POLICY DIRECTIONS August 2026 WORKING DRAFT Prepared for review by Commissioners, Work Group members, City staff, and members of the public. Draft policy directions do not represent official Commission recommendations unless formally adopted. PHASE I WORKING DRAFT | AUGUST 2026 | 1 CITY OF AUSTIN LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION | HEALTH WORKING GROUP Executive Summary Austin has a strong record of LGBTQIA2S+ civic leadership, and the public record shows persistent needs in health, housing, access to affirming services, disability inclusion, aging, safety, and social connection. The Health Work Group is developing a practical framework that treats health as more than clinical care. Where people live, the air they breathe, the services they can find, the systems that recognize them, and the community ties they can rely upon all shape quality of life. The Work Group's first four meetings moved the project from a spreadsheet of ideas toward a long- term policy framework. Phase I identifies three priority initiatives and a focused set of draft directions that can be researched, refined, and converted into Commission resolutions, budget recommendations, or departmental requests. The central finding Austin should build on services and public assets that already exist, improve coordination before creating duplication, and ground new investments in current data and community partnership. Three Priority Initiatives ● Commission a new, scientifically rigorous LGBTQIA2S+ Quality of Life Study that preserves useful comparisons to 2021 while improving reach, accessibility, and methodological transparency. ● Evaluate an LGBTQIA2S+ Community Resource & Navigation Hub, using existing City-owned space first and coordinating services through public-private partnerships. ● Continue advancing the LGBTQIA2S+ Cultural Center as a distinct civic institution focused on history, arts, culture, education, and preservation. Supporting Draft Policy Directions The Work Group is also developing concepts involving preferred names and pronouns in City systems; disability inclusion; healthy aging and recreation; family-building benefits; residential air quality near major highways; inclusive emergency preparedness; and accountable use of existing public assets. Status of this report This document separates verified public facts from attributed public comment, planning estimates, and draft policy judgment. It does not claim that a site has been selected, a partner has committed, funding has been …
Austin Public Health Update LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission Cassandra DeLeon Deputy Director 9/21/26 HIV/STI Public Health Services Grant Funding Status Update STI HIV Related Grants Funding Source Start End Disease Intervention Specialists Supplemental Workforce Grant (DIS) Federal Pass through 3/1/2026 11/30/2026 Disease Intervention Specialists Supplemental Workforce Grant (DIS) Federal Pass through 6/15/2026 Texas Refugee Medical Screening- USCRI STD & HIV Control HIV Clinical Integrated HIV Programs for Health Depts. / Ending the HIV Epidemic (PS24) HIV Surveillance *Housing Opportunities for People Living with AIDS (HOPWA) *Housing Opportunities for People Living with AIDS (HOPWA) *Housing Opportunities for People Living with AIDS (HOPWA) Ryan White - Part A Ending the HIV Epidemic: Administration Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program grant-canceled 6/26/26 Federal Pass through Federal Pass through Federal and State Federal Federal Federal Federal Federal Federal Federal 1/1/2026 9/1/2026 6/1/2026 6/1/2026 9/1/2026 2/28/2027 9/30/2026 8/31/2027 5/31/2027 5/312027 5/31/2027 12/22/2025 12/21/2028 9/26/2023 9/25/2026 11/22/2024 11/22/2027 3/1/2026 3/1/2026 2/28/2027 2/28/2027 APH STI HIV Related Federal and State Grants *HOPWA is a three-year grant - each year is billed separately and requires individual reporting. Information regarding HOPWA regulations and processes can be found on the HUD Exchange. 3 3 Communicable Diseases Unit Overview Provide Provide clinical care through the Sexual Health and Tuberculosis Clinics Lead Lead public health investigations for HIV, STIs, and Tuberculosis Deliver Deliver equitable community outreach for HIV, STI, and TB prevention Support Offer supportive social work services that connect people to care 4 FY26 Communicable Diseases Unit Performance Measures Number of Sexual Heath Clinic patient visits (Goal 11,000) Percentage of Sexual Health Clinic patients served the same day (95%) Units of Social Work services (23,000) Percentage of HIV cases linked to early intervention (90%) Number of STD/HIV tests in Outreach settings (1,500) 5 Sexual Health Outreach & Testing September Community Outreach • Sept. 22 | Joint Sexual Health outreach and testing event at Walgreens, North Lamar/Rundberg, 78753 • Sept. 23 | Georgian Acres community outreach, 78753 • October | Monthly community testing continues at Camp Esperanza, Texas Harm Reduction, and SouthBridge. Additional dates are being finalized. Evening Access at RBJ Sexual Health Center • Tuesdays | Drop in HIV/STI testing • Thursdays | HIV/STI testing, PrEP services, and syphilis treatment 6 Questions and Answers 7
Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Human Rights Impact Review Austin Equity and Inclusion LGBQTIA + Commission Monday, September 21, 2026, 6:30 PM What is a Human Rights Framework? A human rights framework evaluates government performance through the lens of residents’ rights, and equitable access to services. dignity, Rather than asking whether programs exist, it asks whether people's rights are being fulfilled and where barriers remain. Why is it important and how does it support the City? • Identifies barriers that prevent residents from accessing services. • Improves accountability by measuring outcomes, not just activities. • Informs better decisions that promote equity, dignity, and public trust. • Prioritizes resources where needs and disparities are greatest. 2 Co - Created Impact Review The City engaged Henekom Group, a human rights consulting firm, to conduct an independent Human Rights Impact Review. The review included research across 160+ sources , engagement with 30+ stakeholders and a community workshop with participants and prioritize opportunities across 12 key issue areas. to identify human rights risks 120+ , Result: Co - created recommendations grounded in community input and aligned with international human rights best practices. 3 City of Austin - Human Rights Framework "Design and implement a Human Rights framework for assessing existing City services and programs to improve accessibility and responsiveness for residents' needs." - Austin City Manager’s Top 25 Goal 160+ 300+ Sources and commissions reviewed Stakeholders identified and engaged 120 Registered workshop attendees 92 Issues identified 69 Proposed mitigations for salience 4 Steps to Conduct a Human Rights Impact Review and Report Issue Identification → Mitigation Identification → Stakeholder Engagement → Implementation 1 2 3 4 Desk Research 12 issue areas, 160+ sources Issue & Mitigation Identification Defined salient human rights issues and potential mitigations Stakeholder Mapping Built 300+ stakeholder list with City Departments, Community and City Council recommendations Landscape Assessment Reviewed existing programs, initiatives, ordinances, and laws informed by community and City Council Human Rights Workshop - Building Consensus 5 Multi-stakeholder dialogue at March 23 workshop, approximately 120 attendees 7 6 7 8 9 HeneKom’s Activity Analysis HeneKom scored and identified salient issues and mitigations for priority action set forth by community stakeholders Post Workshop Survey Sent to all registered stakeholders unable to attend to ensure all feedback was collected Human Rights Impact Report Developed feasible municipal strategies based on knowledge- based best practices research Cross-Functional …
