Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, October 20, 2025 The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, October 20, 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) Brigitte Bandit Jerry Joe Benson Garry Brown Rocío Fierro-Pérez Asher Knutson Steven Rivas Commissioners in attendance remotely: Morgan Davis J. Scott Neal Chair Coyne called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Sweet Gwendolyn – Rainbow Safety Squad Dan Chavez – Rainbow Safety Squad Jonathan Barrett – Cheer Up Charlies Travis Coles – Cheer up Charlies APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission's regular meeting of September 15, 2025. The minutes of the September 15, 2025 meeting were approved on Commissioner Benson’s motion, Commissioner Brown’s second on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair McLeod and Commissioners Krueger and Treviño were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS Page 1 of 4 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. The presentation was made by David Grey, Director, and Charles Loosen, Community Engagement Consultant, Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation informing commissioners about the new ASHwell Community Center. Presentation by Cy Herrera, Executive Director, ASHwell. The presentation was made by Cy Herrera, Executive Director, ASHwell. The meeting was recessed without objection at 8:05 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:15 PM. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve the 2026 Annual Meeting Schedule of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission. Taken up after item 11 without objection. Item 4 was postponed to November 17, 2025 without objection. 5. Approve a Recommendation for Equal Access to IVF Benefits. Item 5 was taken up before Item 4 without objection. The motion to approve a recommendation for equal access to IVF benefits was approved on Commissioner Benson’s motion, Commissioner Fierro-Pérez’ second on an 8-0-1 vote. Commissioner Neal abstained because he was unable to review recommendation language prior to the vote. Vice Chair McLeod and Commissioners Krueger and Treviño were absent. 6. Approve a Recommendation for a Proclamation for Transgender Day of Remembrance. The motion to approve a recommendation for a proclamation for Transgender Day of Remembrance was approved on Commissioner Brown’s motion, Commissioner Coyne’s second on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair McLeod and Commissioners Krueger and Treviño were absent. 7. Approve a Recommendation to Review Austin Pride. The motion to approve a recommendation to review Austin Pride with the following amendments was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Rivas, and approved on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair McLeod and Commissioners Krueger and Treviño were absent. The amendments were: In the third “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED”, strike “hosting or supporting additional City-recognized Pride celebrations at other times of year” and insert “hosting the annual pride event in addition to potentially supporting other City-recognized LGBTQ+ celebrations at other times of year”, and insert “AIDS Remembrance Day (Dec 1)” after “Trans Day of Visibility (March),”. Page 2 of 4 8. Approve a Recommendation to Promote Safety, Dignity, and Equity in Restroom Access in City of Austin Facilities. The motion to approve a recommendation to promote safety, dignity, and equity in restroom access in City of Austin facilities was approved on Commissioner Rivas’ motion, Commissioner Bandit’s second on an 8-0-1 vote. Commissioner Neal abstained. Vice Chair McLeod and Commissioners Krueger and Treviño were absent. 9. Discussion regarding the removal of rainbow crosswalks at 4th and Colorado streets, and possible action to approve a recommendation to prevent their removal. The motion to approve a crosswalk response recommendation with the below language was approved on Chair Coyne’s motion, Commissioner Neal’s second on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair McLeod and Commissioners Krueger and Treviño were absent. WHEREAS, decorative and colored pedestrian crosswalks — including rainbow-themed crosswalks — have been documented to improve pedestrian safety outcomes in some jurisdictions: for example, a study of 17 intersections (including 7 in Florida) found a reduction in crash rates after installation of street-art crossings. WHEREAS, removal of rainbow crosswalks sends a signal of reduced support and visibility for LGBTQ+ residents and visitors, which will undermine the City’s stated equity, inclusion, and belonging goals. Photographic and journalistic commentary note that rainbow crosswalks “provide a sense of safety and belonging for LGBTQ+ individuals, offering a visible reminder that they are valued members of society.” WHEREAS, consideration of removal has already eroded community trust and removing rainbow crosswalks will generate adverse community reaction and further undermine trust between the City and segments of the public who view such crosswalks as an important form of public expression and inclusive design. WHEREAS, state level direction for removal is clear politicization and intentional attack on the LGBTQ+ community due to backlash from the repainting of the Houston-based Montrose Neighborhood rainbow crosswalks. WHEREAS, the City of Austin has a strong interest in supporting safe, walkable, and inclusive streetscapes; retaining rainbow crosswalks aligns with these objectives by combining pedestrian infrastructure with inclusive urban design. WHEREAS, there is no conclusive evidence that rainbow crosswalks degrade safety compared to standard crosswalks; in fact, some research indicates the opposite (reduced crash rates) — thus removal on the basis of safety concerns alone may not be justified without more context-specific study. WHEREAS, the cost of repainting or maintaining decorative crosswalks is typically modest compared to the broader investment in pedestrian infrastructure, and removal will eliminate an asset that supports civic branding, tourism appeal, and community morale. WHEREAS, the “TEXAS” mural on the drag in addition to other painted crosswalks should also be considered for removal if there is a genuine and research-based safety concern due to their presence. WHEREAS, the removal of rainbow crosswalks and “Black Artists Matter” street paint go against numerous City approved documents including Imagine Austin, The Austin City Charter, Downtown Austin Plan, and Cultural District Framework Plan. Page 3 of 4 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the LGBTQ QoL Advisory Commission recommend the City Council exhaust every possible action to avoid removing crosswalks including but not limited to applying for exemptions and exploring requesting a court-issued Temporary Restraining Order as a rejection of state- level interference; and, not advance any further action on removal without first engaging in more conversation with community leaders, and with a commitment for ongoing work to prioritize transparency regarding communications and planned courses of actions. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LGBTQ QoL Advisory Commission recommend any future plans for commemorating the LGBTQ+ community at the intersection of 4th and Colorado, or otherwise, including new public art be reviewed by the LGBTQ+ Commission; and work towards the advancement, expansion, and protection of inclusive public symbols in Austin, including LGBTQ+, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the LGBTQ QoL Advisory Commission recommends that City Council pledges to identify, fund, and implement alternative displays of community symbols, including but not limited to flying the rainbow flag on City facilities and over roads, painting light posts or breaker boxes, and installing banners, to replace the loss of the rainbow crosswalk or other symbolic crosswalks. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LGBTQ QoL Advisory Commission recommend considering additional representatives from the LGBTQ+ and African American QOL Commissions for a potential Task Force due to the impact specifically to those communities. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the LGBTQ QoL Advisory Commission recommends that the mayor’s office better communicate and collaborate with the commission and community leaders prior to communicating planned policy action with substantial impact for our communities in the future, including a meeting within the next 30 days between the Commission Chair and Mayor’s office setting up recurring communication pathways. The meeting was recessed at 9:08 without objection. The meeting reconvened at 9:19 PM. 10. Approve changes to working group membership. The motion to approve the addition of Landon Ritchie to the Trans Resources Working Group was approved on Commissioner Bandit’s motion, Commissioner Rivas’ second on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair McLeod and Commissioners Krueger and Treviño were absent. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 11. Update from the Community Safety Working Group regarding the procedures and agenda for the upcoming Community Safety Town Hall. Update by Commissioner Benson. 12. Update from the Trans Resource Working group regarding the distribution of the resource guide, changes in working group membership, and a recommendation regarding SB8. Update by Commissioner Bandit. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Page 4 of 4 Update regarding the historical marker – Brown Recommendation on resolution for Aids Awareness Day – Rivas Update on LGBTQ+ training in Police Academy - Rivas ADJOURNMENT Chair Coyne adjourned the meeting without objection at 9:55 PM. The minutes were approved at the December 8, 2025 meeting on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Davis’ second on a 9-0 vote. Chair Coyne and Commissioners Fierro-Pérez and Treviño were absent. Page 5 of 4