LGBT Committee Member Profiles
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Advisory Committee
Minutes of the June 21, 2005 Meeting
Committee Members Present: Commissioner Cecilia Chung, Whitney Bagby, Dora Balcazar, Sally Buchmann, David Cameron, Cindy Dubuque, Julie Frank, Becky Freund, Ted Guggenheim, Danny Kirchoff, Aidan Kotler, Nancy Lawlor, Ellise Nicholson, Ren Phoenix, Rebecca Rolfe, Stephen Schwichow, Morningstar Vancil, Meredith Wood.
Committee Members Absent: Commissioner Pat Norman, Ben Chan, Aleem Raja (excused), Jorge Romero-Lozano (excused), Jason Stein (excused).
Staff Present: Marcus Arana, Andrea Fazell (intern), Cris Morales (intern), Domenic Viterbo.
Guests Present: Kim Heinz, Amy Stulman.
- Call to Order and Roll Call:
Commissioner Chung called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. Mr. Arana called the roll.
- Approval of Minutes of May 17, 2005:
Commissioner Chung moved to approve the minutes as written. The motion passed unanimously.
- Public Comments for Items Not on the Agenda:
Kim Heinz, who is doing her undergraduate research on the Intersex Task Force, would like to get information on how and why the Task Force was formed and requested to interview task force members.
- Introduction of LGBTH Division Interns:
Mr. Arana introduced Andrea Fazel and Cris Morales. Ms. Fazel is in her third year at UC Davis Law School. She interned at the National Center for Lesbian Rights last year and hopes to continue doing LGBT legal work when she’s through with school. Ms. Morales currently attends McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and has been a teacher and worked with victims of crime. Mr. Arana said that Ms. Fazel is working on the implementation of the recommendations in the intersex report and Ms. Morales is working on assessing transgender benefits by comparing other jurisdictions within the state.
- Staff Presentation – Transgender 101 – An Overview of Gender Identity Discrimination:
Mr. Arana presented an abbreviated Transgender 101 training for educational purposes and to demonstrate Division staff activities. Mr. Arana presented an overview of transgender issues: how minds categorize information; the roots of transphobia; definitions of transgender umbrella and differences regarding sex’ gender’ sexual orientation, and gender identity. After telling his own story of transition, Mr. Arana answered questions from the members.
- Discussion of Pride Day Booth:
Mr. Arana announced that volunteers are needed for several time slots that have yet to be filled. The booth schedule was passed around again for Committee members to volunteer. Mr. Arana said that signatures will be gathered for two petitions: AB1586, a transgender insurance equality bill, and AB 1400 which would add ‘gender identity’ to the Unruh Act which covers public accommodations under state law. Mr. Arana said that fact sheets for both of these bills would be provided at the booth.
- Work Group Updates:
Mr. Arana said that there was a handout that was sent in the Committee packets that lists the names of Committee members who’ve expressed interest in participating on one of the two different workgroups. Mr. Cameron wishes to be added on Recruitment and Outreach work group and Ms. Lawlor wishes to be added onto the Racism work group. Ms. Freund wishes to be added to the Barriers to Transgender Healthcare. The Recruitment and Outreach work group’s first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 30th, at the HRC offices at 5:30 p.m.
- Commissioners’ Report:
Commissioner Chung reported that there were two joint hearings: 1) to talk about the Real ID Act and 2) to talk about the DBE ordinance. She said that there were a good number of small businesses and advocates that came to the DBE joint hearing. She added that there was also a large turnout for the Real ID Act joint hearing as well. She said that reports from these joint hearings would be posted on the HRC’s website soon.
Commissioner Chung reported that several Commissioners and staff went to a meeting that the 49ers held in Chinatown in response to their infamous training videos. She said that it was a productive meeting and that they do have the 49ers’ commitment to work on diversity issues. She added that the HRC is working with the 49ers to help them beef up their diversity and sensitivity trainings with the hope that these issues will resolve themselves.
- Staff Report:
Mr. Arana reported that the HRC is working closely with the 49ers since they are a City contractor. He said that they were very apologetic about the training videos and that they realize that they attended an LGBTAC meeting a year ago and, even after having had diversity trainings, this situation happened. He added that they are working with the HRC to ensure that their trainings will be broader and more inclusive.
Mr. Arana reported that staff is working on a response to Les Natali’s attorney’s request to reconsider the Director’s Finding against SF Badlands. In the meantime, staff had met with both sides and are strongly encouraging them to mediate. Staff will not mediate because we’ve issued a finding; however, several individuals are being considered. Dialogs with all the different City merchant groups to talk about overall equality and equity is also part of the negotiations. Commissioner Chung added that the HRC is staying neutral and will not encourage people to take sides or divide the community; rather, to encourage people to work on finding a solution.
Mr. Arana reported that staff is in the middle of its annual budget process. He said that staff may face two layoffs in September if the budget situation doesn’t change; however, the budget won’t be finalized until August. Commissioner Chung encouraged Committee members to write to their district supervisor to advocate for the HRC by encouraging them to look closely at the City’s budget.
Mr. Arana reported that he attended a hearing presented by the Employment Committee to hear from formerly incarcerated people about the discrimination that they face when looking for employment. In regards to the Committee, there are two areas that were addressed: 1) there are high numbers of transgender women who’ve been incarcerated, and 2) a dishonorable discharge under "Don’t Ask Don’t Tell" is considered a conviction against LGBT people who served in the U.S. military. What’s being identified are ways that employers can still meet hiring restrictions in certain parameters without subjecting former inmates to further discrimination.
10. Old/New Business:
Commissioner Chung suggested that Committee members make an appointment to speak with her to discuss possible future agenda items.
- Announcements:
Mr. Kirchoff reported that Creating Change will take place in Oakland this year and invited Committee members to participate on its Host Committee, which will meet on Tuesday, June 28, at 7:30 p.m. He said that participation is especially needed with the Youth, Accessibility, and Hospitality Committees.
Ms. Buchmann invited Committee members to join the Harvey Milk Club, the SEIU’s Lavender Caucus, and Pride at Work’s parade contingent that will include a motorized cable car for individuals with mobility issues. She said that their contingent would be in Section H, on Spear Street between Howard and Folsom Streets.
Mr. Cameron announced that Lysette Marcello’s film, "Both", will premiere at the S.F. LGBT Film Festival tomorrow night at 8:15 p.m. at the Victoria Theater. Mr. Cameron and his partner are executive producers of the film.
Ms. Frank announced that the AIDS Health Project is having volunteer facilitator trainings for community members interested in becoming support group facilitators in August.
Ms. Dubuque invited Committee members to attend "Stand Against Hate" on Saturday, June 25, at noon, at CUAV.
Ms. Vancil announced that she is appearing as a panelist on the Bay Area Women of Color BDSM Photo Project’s "A Snapshot of Diversity" show being held on Saturday, July 23, at the SF Citadel, 245-8th Street.
Ms. Balcazar announced that New Leaf Services is training volunteers for an outreach program to Latino LGBT elders.
Commissioner Chung announced that the 2nd Annual Trans March is taking place on Friday, June 24, at 7:30 p.m. Marchers will assemble at Dolores Park and march to Fox Plaza. She also encouraged Committee members to participate on the City’s Crystal Meth Task Force, facilitated by Supervisor Bevan Dufty, on Thursday, June 30, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Mayor’s Conference Room, City Hall, Room 205.
Mr. Arana announced that Yong Lee and Hadas Rivera-Weiss of staff will present an HIV in the Workplace training at next month’s meeting.
- Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.