LGBT Committee Member Profiles
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Advisory Committee
Minutes of the September 18, 2007 Meeting
Committee Members Present: Commissioner Cecilia Chung, Rene Astudillo, Blue Buddha, Billy Curtis, Ted Guggenheim, Robert Hill, Allison Laureano, Christina Martinez, Ren Phoenix, Martin Rawlings-Fein, Miko Thomas, Lindasusan Ulrich, Morningstar Vancil.
Committee Members Absent:Commissioner Mark Dunlop (excused), Jane Aceituno (excused), Dora Balcazar (excused), Ryan Fuimaono (excused), Roberto Ordeñana (excused), Anthony Philip (excused), Greg Shaw (excused).
Staff Present: Nadia Babella, Larry Brinkin, Yong Lee, natoyiniinastumiik, Hadas Rivera-Weiss, Domenic Viterbo.
Guests Present: Veronica Neal, Carol Queen, Sadie Rawlings-Fein.
1. Call to Order and Roll Call:
Ms. Ulrich called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Mr. Lee called the roll.
Mr. Lee introduced Nadia Babella, the newest member of the LGBTH Division. She’s a Discrimination Investigator and Mediator focusing on HIV discrimination complaints.
2. Approval of August 21, 2007 minutes (Action Item):
Ms. Laureano moved to approve the August 21, 2007 minutes as written. Mr. Buddha seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Public Comment for Items Not on the Agenda:
No public comments were made.
4. Work Group Reports: Anti-Racism, Outreach, and Sexual Stigmatization:
Anti-Racism: Mr. Buddha reported that the September 10 meeting was postponed and because their next meeting, October 8, falls on a holiday, it has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 9. Members of the community groups are being invited to attend this meeting to discuss the “We Agree!” proposal.
Outreach: Mr. Guggenheim reported that their last meeting was cancelled. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 3, at 5:30 p.m.
Sexual Stigmatization: Mr. Lee reported that email messages were sent to the work group members in order to set up a meeting to discuss organizing two more panels on this topic, but that no one had responded. He will send another email tomorrow.
5. Commissioner Report:
Commissioner Chung reported that the Commissioners had submitted their resignations per the Mayor’s directive. In the meantime, the seat vacated by Pat Norman still needs to be filled and she encourages qualified candidates to submit a resume to staff who will then forward it to the Mayor’s Office.
6. Staff Report:
Mr. Lee reported that natoyiniinastumiik was presented a Leadership Award at the Gender Odyssey Conference for his work with the transgender community. Staff continues to enforce the Equal Benefits Ordinance by attending pre-bid conferences and explaining the ordinance and compliance process to contractors. Mr. Brinkin has been involved in planning the annual conference for the California Association of Human Relations Organizations to be held inSacramento in January 2008.
7. Diversity Training by Veronica Neal:
Mr. Brinkin introduced Veronica Neal, Diversity Educator, who returned to the Committee after leading a training for the Committee last year.
Ms. Neal gave a 90-minute training on topics covering understanding the concepts of respect and trust; the importance of identity, values, and behavior; followed by a summary and next steps.
Ms. Neal gave numerous handouts and articles for the Committee members to read and perhaps discuss at future meetings.
8. Old/New Business:
Ms. Vancil raised a concern over comments made by one of the Commissioners regarding the Native American Discrimination Report at their August 23 meeting. Commissioner Chung said that this matter would be looked into and hopes to find a solution.
9. Announcements:
Ms. Ulrich announced that Celebrate Bisexuality Day is on Sunday, September 23. Also Horizons Foundations is having its annual gala on Saturday, October 6. To find out more information or to purchase tickets to the event, go to their website: www.horizonsfoundation.org. The Bay Area Bisexual Network is celebrating its 20th anniversary on Sunday, November 11, at the Lake Merritt Hotel in Oakland. Committee members will be receiving a flyer on this event.
Mr. Buddha announced that the Gay Men’s Community Initiative will be honoring community heroes in the HIV services community on Sunday, October 14, at Foreign Cinema restaurant. Also STOP AIDS Project, Community United Against Violence, and San Francisco Women Against Rape are sponsoring an event, “Men are Raped”, to address sexual violence within the community on Monday, September 24, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the LGBT Center.
Ms. Phoenix announced that the Folsom Street Fair will take place on Sunday, September 30.
Commissioner Chung announced that a conference entitled “Transforming Justice” will be held in San Francisco on October 13–14 to bring together a number of national organizations to address issues affecting transgender prisoners. She asked that Committee and community members contact her if they can provide community housing. Also a hearing on safe schools sponsored by Senator Shiela Kuehl (D) will be held on Monday, October 15, in Los Angeles.
10. Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.