REGULAR MEETING OF THE LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 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 September 21, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding the Officer Shooting Dashboard. [Sara Peralta, Public Information and Marketing Program Manager, Austin Police Oversight (APO) and Crystal Kimbrough, Policy Compliance Consultant, APO]. Staff briefing regarding the Creative Reset Phase II: Reimagining Austin’s Cultural Facilities and Museums. [Marjorie Flanagan, Division Manager, Cultural Education & Programs, Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME)]. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. 5. Presentation regarding Rainbow Safety Squad’s vision, accomplishments, and future plans. Presentation by Sweet Gwendolyn and Dan, Rainbow Safety Squad. Discussion regarding tools for tracking commission recommendations. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. 7. Approve a recommendation regarding support for prospective measures being implemented to protect cultural establishments within the Red River Cultural District. Approve the LGBTQ QoL Advisory Commission’s 2027 Annual Meeting Schedule. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 8. 9. 10. Update from the Cultural Center Working Group regarding coalition building, design charette, and council advocacy actions. Update from the Public Safety Working Group regarding a potential Austin Police Department training academy …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: 20261019-006: Red River Cultural District Preservation A RECOMMENDATION REQUESTING THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO ADVANCE CULTURAL PRESERVATION POLICIES FOR THE RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT, RECOGNIZING ITS HISTORIC AND ONGOING IMPORTANCE TO AUSTIN'S LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, AND PRIORITIZING THE PROTECTION OF CULTURAL SPACES, INDEPENDENT MUSIC VENUES, AND LGBTQ+ CULTURAL HERITAGE AMID DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT. WHEREAS, the Red River Cultural District is one of Austin's most significant concentrations of independent music venues, creative businesses, and cultural spaces, contributing to the City's identity as the Live Music Capital of the World while providing essential opportunities for artistic expression, community connection, and cultural exchange; and WHEREAS, the Red River Cultural District has a longstanding and significant connection to Austin's LGBTQ+ history, serving for decades as a home for queer nightlife, lesbian-owned establishments, drag performance, alternative music, and communities that have historically faced exclusion from more traditional cultural and social spaces; and WHEREAS, the address at 900 Red River Street exemplifies this cultural legacy, having housed Chances, a pioneering lesbian bar and music venue from 1982 to 1994, and serving since 2014 as the home of Cheer Up Charlies, a prominent LGBTQ+-owned and operated venue that continues the location's tradition of creating space for queer community, artistic expression, and cultural celebration; and WHEREAS, venues throughout the district, including Cheer Up Charlies, Elysium, Barbarella, and Swan Dive, have supported LGBTQ+ performers, drag artists, DJs, musicians, and community events, providing important platforms for queer visibility, creative expression, and economic opportunity; and WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ cultural spaces serve functions extending far beyond entertainment, providing opportunities for community organizing, mutual support, identity affirmation, intergenerational connection, and belonging, particularly for LGBTQ+ people who may experience discrimination or social isolation elsewhere; and WHEREAS, preserving these spaces is especially important amid ongoing political and social pressures affecting LGBTQ+ Texans, as the loss of physical places for queer gathering and expression represents . not only cultural and economic displacement but also a loss of community infrastructure, history, visibility, and belonging; and WHEREAS, Austin's rapid downtown redevelopment, increasing property values, rising operating costs, and loss of independent venues threaten the continued existence of the cultural ecosystem that has supported generations of artists, workers, small businesses, and LGBTQ+ communities along Red River Street; and WHEREAS, recent closures within the district, including Empire Control Room & Garage, Koriente, Feels So Good, and Marlow, together with the announced …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2026 The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a special called meeting on Monday, September 21, 2026 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 Shepherd Coyne (Chair) Jerry Joe Benson (Secretary) Garry Brown Marlon Johnson Asher Knutson J. Scott Neal Randy Pituk Steven Rivas Commissioners in attendance remotely: Kitty McLeod (Vice Chair) Brigitte Bandit Devan Daniel Rocio Fierro-Pérez Anna Nguyen Mariana Krueger Chair Coyne called the meeting to order at 6:31 P.M. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Yasir Imam – “As I am: unfiltered lives, unheard stories” book APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission regular meeting on August 17, 2026. There was a motion to approve the minutes with the below amendment by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Secretary Benson. The motion was approved on a 12-0 vote. Commissioners Fierro-Pérez and Knutson were off the dais. Commissioner Davis was absent. The amendment was to strike “Zachary Henry-Lichliter, AIA, 2026 Chair-Elect", and insert “Stephanie Almendarez”. 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. The presentation was made 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 The presentation was made by by Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Austin Equity & Inclusion, and Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director, 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 was held. Discussion on a panel for former commission members, including possible discussion questions and invitees. Discussion was held. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. 7. Update from the cultural center working group on next steps and continued advocacy on the LGBTQ Cultural Center. Update by Chair Coyne. Update from the community safety working group on progress on their working group goals Update by Secretary Benson. 8. Update from the trans resource guide working group regarding their progress on forming and distributing a trans resource guide. Update by Commissioner Bandit. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 9. 10. Report from the budget follow-up working group regarding the implementation …
Officer Involved Shooting Dashboard Austin Police Oversight About Austin Police Oversight Austin Police Oversight is a separate and independent department from APD created to provide impartial oversight of the Austin Police Department’s conduct, practices, and policies to enhance accountability, inform the public to increase transparency and create sustainable partnerships throughout the community. ACCOUNTABILITY TRANSPARENCY PARTNERSHIPS 2 About Austin Police Oversight WHAT WE DO WHAT WE DO NOT DO ✓ Separate, independent, civilian oversight ✓ Review all community complaints ✓ We have full access to all APD databases ✓ Make recommendations to the Chief of Police & City Manager related to discipline, administrative policies and training ✓ Educate community members about the complaint process, our reports and recommendations, and their rights when interacting with law enforcement We do NOT work for or report to APD or the Chief of Police We do NOT oversee other law enforcement agencies We do NOT oversee criminal cases We do NOT administer discipline to officers We are NOT the final decision-makers on issues related to discipline and training 3 OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING DASHBOARD View Online 4 About Officer Involved Shootings ▪ An officer involved shooting is when an APD officer discharges their firearm. ▪ APO’s last OIS report was released in June 2020. 5 Making Information More Accessible The new Officer-Involved Shooting Dashboard was created to: • Transform historical reports into an interactive tool • • Increase transparency Improve public access to information • Support public understanding with data-driven insights What's included: Demographics (subject & officers) Incident Summaries Use of Force Details Trends over time Geographic Mapping Filter by district, year, etc. 6 Data Governance Incident summaries (date, location, outcome) Demographics (subjects & officers) Use-of-force details (weapon type etc) Trends over time (currently 5 years, 2018-2025) Geographic mapping of incidents Filters (year, district, etc.) Data Validation Processes ▪ Critical Incident Briefing (CIB) Info ▪ SIU Yearly Spreadsheets ▪ Internal Affairs (IA ) Case Files 7 Overview Page 8 Officer Insights 9 Subject Insights 10 Incident Details 11 Spanish Dashboard 12 User Accessibility and Testing ▪ English and Spanish language dashboard launched simultaneously ▪ User testing performed by APO staff and volunteers from the City’s Shared Voices program ▪ Logical tab order, high contrast alternative color themes etc. ▪ Meets Federal web accessibility requirements (WCAG 2.1) 13 What’s Next? • Establish a process for updating and maintaining the dashboard. • Present dashboard to community and commissions. • …
The Creative Reset Phase II Reimagining Austin’s Cultural Facilities and Museums Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment July 2026 Why Now? Austin Has Changed. Our Cultural System Must Change With It. ▪ Austin's population continues to grow and diversify. ▪ Community expectations have shifted from simply preserving facilities to actively programming and activating them. ▪ Residents expect welcoming, accessible, vibrant public spaces that are open, responsive, and community-centered. ▪ The Creative Reset presented an opportunity to rethink how our facilities operate, not just maintain the status quo. Emma S Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center 2 Our Community Spaces Cultural Centers and Entertainment Complex Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex African American Cultural & Heritage Facility + Dedrick Hamilton House Asian American Resource Center Connelly-Yerwood “Pink” House Emma S Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural + Genealogy Center Museums and Art Center Montopolis Negro School Zilker Hillside Theater Dougherty Arts Center Elisabet Ney Museum UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum Susanna Dickinson Museum O. Henry Museum Old Bakery & Emporium 23rd Street Renaissance Artist Market 3 Our Approach The Creative Reset Phase II Reimagining Austin’s Cultural Facilities and Museums Beverly Sheffield Hillside Theater Our Approach We designed this process around listening. Community Engagement Internal Assessment Staff Visioning Site Identity Exercise Operational Review Recommendations Implementation Plan Evaluation 5 Nearly a year of engagement ensured that our recommendations reflect both community priorities and operational realities. Elisabeth Ney Museum 6 Community: What We Heard The Creative Reset Phase II Reimagining Austin’s Cultural Facilities and Museums ACME Creative Reset Engagement Community: What We Heard Activate our facilities More activity, more energy, more opportunities. Expand partnerships Collaborate with artists, nonprofits, schools, and community organizations. Improve customer experience Create welcoming, consistent, easy-to-access spaces. Reduce barriers Simplify processes and increase accessibility. Celebrate each site's unique identity Honor history while creating new opportunities. Brush Square Pun-Off Event 8 Staff: What We Learned The Creative Reset Phase II Reimagining Austin’s Cultural Facilities and Museums Dougherty Arts Center Staff: What We Learned ▪ Staff are passionate and deeply committed to serving the community. ▪ Operational processes vary significantly across facilities. ▪ Administrative responsibilities often limit time available for programming and community engagement. ▪ Greater collaboration, shared services, and consistent expectations can improve efficiency while preserving each site's unique identity. ▪ Our facilities are aging. Staff Engagement Event 10 Our New Operating Model The Creative Reset Phase II Reimagining Austin’s Cultural Facilities …
RECOMMENDATION NO. ____________ A RECOMMENDATION REQUESTING THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO ADVANCE CULTURAL PRESERVATION POLICIES FOR THE RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT, RECOGNIZING ITS HISTORIC AND ONGOING IMPORTANCE TO AUSTIN'S LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, AND PRIORITIZING THE PROTECTION OF CULTURAL SPACES, INDEPENDENT MUSIC VENUES, AND LGBTQ+ CULTURAL HERITAGE AMID DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT. WHEREAS, the Red River Cultural District is one of Austin's most significant concentrations of independent music venues, creative businesses, and cultural spaces, contributing to the City's identity as the Live Music Capital of the World while providing essential opportunities for artistic expression, community connection, and cultural exchange; and WHEREAS, the Red River Cultural District has a longstanding and significant connection to Austin's LGBTQ+ history, serving for decades as a home for queer nightlife, lesbian-owned establishments, drag performance, alternative music, and communities that have historically faced exclusion from more traditional cultural and social spaces; and WHEREAS, the address at 900 Red River Street exemplifies this cultural legacy, having housed Chances, a pioneering lesbian bar and music venue from 1982 to 1994, and serving since 2014 as the home of Cheer Up Charlies, a prominent LGBTQ+-owned and operated venue that continues the location's tradition of creating space for queer community, artistic expression, and cultural celebration; and WHEREAS, venues throughout the district, including Cheer Up Charlies, Elysium, Barbarella, and Swan Dive, have supported LGBTQ+ performers, drag artists, DJs, musicians, and community events, providing important platforms for queer visibility, creative expression, and economic opportunity; and WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ cultural spaces serve functions extending far beyond entertainment, providing opportunities for community organizing, mutual support, identity affirmation, intergenerational connection, and belonging, particularly for LGBTQ+ people who may experience discrimination or social isolation elsewhere; and WHEREAS, preserving these spaces is especially important amid ongoing political and social pressures affecting LGBTQ+ Texans, as the loss of physical places for queer gathering and expression represents not only cultural and economic displacement but also a loss of community infrastructure, history, visibility, and belonging; and WHEREAS, Austin's rapid downtown redevelopment, increasing property values, rising operating costs, and loss of independent venues threaten the continued existence of the cultural ecosystem that has supported generations of artists, workers, small businesses, and LGBTQ+ communities along Red River Street; and WHEREAS, recent closures within the district, including Empire Control Room & Garage, Koriente, Feels So Good, and Marlow, together with the announced closure of Valhalla and the listing for sale of the property housing Elysium and The 13th …
LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission DRAFT 2027 Annual Schedule Austin City Hall 301 W 2nd St. 6:30 P.M. Jan 11 Feb 8 March 15 April 19 May 17 June 21 July 19 August 16 September 20 October 18 November 15 December 20
