LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory CommissionAug. 17, 2026

Item 1: July 20, 2026 Draft Minutes — original pdf

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LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, JULY 20, 2026 The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a special called meeting on Monday, July 20 at 6:30 PM at Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd St., Austin, Texas 78701, Boards & Commissions Room 1101. Commissioners in attendance in person: Jerry Joe Benson (Secretary) Garry Brown Marlon Johnson Asher Knutson Mariana Krueger J. Scott Neal Anna Nguyen Randy Pituk Steven Rivas Commissioners in attendance remotely: Brigitte Bandit Devan Daniel Morgan Davis Rocío Fierro-Pérez Secretary Benson called the meeting to order at 6:32PM. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Ry Vaz – Crosswalk Removal Hya – Crosswalk Removal Devyn Person – State / Local Laws APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission regular meeting on June 15, 2026. The minutes of the June 15, 2026 special called meeting were approved during the July 20, 2026 regular meeting on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Johnson’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioners Bandit, Davis, and Fierro-Pérez were o(cid:431) dais. Chair Coyne and Vice Chair McLeod were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Sta(cid:431) briefing regarding Austin Police communication and engagement with LGBTQ+ communities; gaps and challenges; status of the Community Liaison O(cid:431)icer program; and Austin Police policies, training, and initiatives related to the LGBTQ+ community. Briefing by Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police. Briefing given by Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police, Sargent Mike…, President of LGBTQ A(cid:431)inity Group, Austin Police and O(cid:431)icer Jacob Dawson, Community Liaison Group Leader, Austin Police. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation to introduce Queer MMA ATX and provide information on an upcoming Queer Fight Night in Spring 2027. Presentation by Luis Villareal and Marléne M. Feliz Nina, Queer MMA ATX. Presentation given by Luis Villareal and Marléne M. Feliz Nina, Queer MMA ATX. 4. Presentation regarding OutYouth’s programming, history, challenges, and successes. Presentation by Jaryn Holbrook Janeway, Executive Director, OutYouth. Presentation given by Jaryn Holbrook Janeway, Executive Director, OutYouth. The meeting went into recess without objection at 8:56 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:02 p.m. 5. Recognition of Commissioner Rivas’ work on Mayor’s Task Force on Public Spaces and discussion of community celebrations in June. Discussed. 6. Discussion to collect feedback on what to include in the 2025 Annual Report. Discussed. 7. Discussion regarding priorities for the August meeting and a potential community social event before. Discussed. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 8. Update from the LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center Working Group regarding their first meeting and next steps. Secretary Benson gave an update. 9. Update from the Health Working Group regarding their progress on the working group’s plan of action. Commissioner Rivas gave an update. 10. Update from the Budget Follow-Up Working Group regarding division of work, tracking of recommendations, and talking points. Secretary Benson gave an update. 11. Update from the Community Safety Working Group regarding continued outreach and questions for Austin Police Sta(cid:431) and future closure of 4th street for Pride. Secretary Benson gave an update. 12. Update from the Trans Resource Guide Working Group regarding their progress on developing and distributing the resource guide. Commissioner Bandit gave an update. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 13. Approve changes to working group membership. The motions to remove Commissioner Neal from his working groups, add Commissioner Nguyen to the Transgender Review Guide working group and add community members Chad Sharrard, Lauren Esparza, Mia Diabernhardt, Mallory Hart, and John Stenzel to the Cultural Center Working Group were approved on Secretary Benson’s motion , Commissioner Rivas second on a 13-0 vote. Chair Coyne and Vice Chair McLeod were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discussion on whether the commission wants to go to the academy and view training practices (Neal, Johnson) Discussion on the video of a Transwoman being arrested by Austin Police and determine if the procedures follow the policies in place, invite Chief Davis in for this video analysis (Knutson, Benson) Discussion to invite Chief Davis to do a walkthrough of a video of a transwoman interaction with Austin Police and an understanding of how the interaction followed Austin Police policy (Bandit, Fierro-Pérez) ADJOURNMENT Secretary Benson adjourned the meeting without objection at 9:49 PM. The minutes were approved at the (DATE) meeting on (MOTION)