Item 1: June 15, 2026 Draft Minutes — original pdf

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LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026 The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a special called meeting on Monday, June 15, 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 Coyne (Chair) Kitty McLeod (Vice Chair) Garry Brown Devan Daniel Marlon Johnson J. Scott Neal Randy Pituk Steven Rivas Commissioners in attendance remotely: Morgan Davis Rocío Fierro-Pérez Mariana Krueger Anna Nguyen Chair Coyne called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission regular meeting on May 20, 2026. The minutes were approved as amended at the June 15, 2026 meeting on Vice Chair McLeod’s motion, Commissioner Brown’s second on an 11-0 vote. Commissioner Fierro-Pérez was o(cid:431) the dais. Secretary Benson and Commissioners Bandit and Knutson were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. Presentation regarding the impact of SB12 on the Austin Independent School District (AISD). Presentation by Edna Butts, Intergovernmental Relations Director, AISD. Withdrawn without objection. Presentation providing an update on SB12. Presentation by Ash Hall, Policy & Advocacy Strategist on LGBTQIA+ Rights, ACLU of Texas. The presentation was made by Ash Hall, Policy & Advocacy Strategist on LGBTQIA+ Rights, ACLU of Texas. Presentation by the SAFE Alliance regarding their closing and at-risk programs. Presentation by Dani Fletcher, Director of Communications and Marketing, SAFE Austin. The presentation was made by Dani Fletcher, Director of Communications and Marketing, SAFE Austin. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding proclamation dates for the 2026 calendar year. The recommendation to Council regarding proclamation dates for the 2026 calendar year was approved on Commissioner Brown’s motion, Chair Coyne’s second on a 12- 0 vote. Secretary Benson and Commissioners Bandit and Knutson were absent. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding SAFE Alliance – Eloise House funding. Item 6 was taken up after Item 4 without objection. The recommendation was approved as amended to read as follows on Chair Coyne’s motion, Commissioner Neal’s second on a 12-0 vote. Recommendation: The LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the Austin City Council and the Mayor’s O(cid:431)ice, in partnership with Travis County and other funding partners, identify and allocate su(cid:431)icient emergency and bridge funding to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of survivor-centered services currently provided through Eloise House and other existing community-based facilities serving survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and human tra(cid:431)icking. The Commission further recommends that any funding strategy prioritize: • Continued access to forensic examinations in community-based, non-hospital settings in additional to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training for nurses • Trauma-informed advocacy and crisis response services • Emergency shelter and housing support • Legal and case management services • Culturally competent and a(cid:431)irming care for LGBTQIA+ survivors and other historically marginalized communities • Preservation of service capacity at existing facilities where survivors currently receive care The Commission also recommends that the City develop a sustainable, long-term funding strategy that protects continuity of care, minimizes service disruptions, and ensures that survivors can continue accessing trusted, community-based support systems during any operational or administrative transitions. location where survivors can access Description of Recommendation to Council: Austin's network of survivor services provides critical support to thousands of individuals each year. These services include forensic examinations, crisis intervention, advocacy, shelter, counseling, legal support, and other wraparound resources that help survivors achieve safety and stability. Eloise House serves as a forensic unique community-based examinations and advocacy services outside of a hospital setting. For many survivors, particularly LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants, communities of color, people with disabilities, and people who have experienced discrimination within traditional institutions, community-based care settings can o(cid:431)er a more accessible and trusted environment for seeking help. The Commission's concern is focused on ensuring that critical services remain available, culturally responsive, and accessible regardless of future administrative or funding arrangements. Any transition in service delivery should be carefully planned to avoid interruptions in care, loss of capacity, loss of critical facilities, or barriers to access for vulnerable populations. Funding should be directed toward maintaining service continuity, retaining trained personnel where possible, preserving community-based service locations, and ensuring that survivors continue to receive coordinated support throughout their healing process. Rationale: LGBTQIA+ survivors often face unique barriers when seeking support following experiences of violence, including fear of discrimination, concerns about confidentiality, prior negative experiences with institutions, and challenges finding a(cid:431)irming care providers. These barriers can be compounded by race, ethnicity, insecurity, and economic hardship. immigration status, disability, housing Community-based survivor services play an important role in reducing these barriers by providing trauma-informed, culturally competent, and a(cid:431)irming environments where survivors can access support without navigating multiple disconnected systems. The Commission recognizes that Austin's survivor-services infrastructure is a critical public safety, public health, and quality-of-life resource. While operational and funding models may evolve over time, the continuity of services themselves must remain the City's highest priority. The LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission urges Council to act swiftly to ensure that survivors continue to have access to trusted facilities, experienced providers, and culturally competent care without interruption. Protecting these services protects the health, safety, and dignity of some of Austin's most vulnerable residents. 7. Approve the formation of a working group to create a recommendation on next steps for an LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center. The motion to approve the formation of a working group to create a recommendation on next steps for an LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center was approved on Commissioner Rivas’ motion, Commissioner Johnson’s second on 12-0 vote. Secretary Benson and Commissioners Bandit and Knutson were absent. Working Group members: Commissioners: Jerry Joe Benson, KC Coyne, Devan Daniel, J. Scott Neal, Steve Rivas Community members: Chad Sharrard, Laura Esparza, Mia Diabernhardt, Mallory Hart WORKING GROUP UPDATES 8. 9. 10. Update from the Health Working Group on their first meeting, areas of focus, timeline, and goals. Update by Commissioner Rivas. Update from the Budget Follow-Up Working Group regarding their first meeting, areas of focus, timeline, and goals. Update by Commissioner Rivas Update from the Community Safety Working Group regarding their most recent meeting and next steps. Update by Commissioner Rivas. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Future commissioner panel – Coyne Discussion regarding social event before next meeting – Coyne ADJOURNMENT Chair Coyne adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.