LGBT Committee Member Profiles
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Advisory Committee
Minutes of the October 16, 2007 Meeting
Committee Members Present: Commissioner Cecilia Chung, Commissioner Mark Dunlop, Rene Astudillo, Dora Balcazar, Billy Curtis, Ryan Fuimaono, Ted Guggenheim, Robert Hill, Allison Laureano, Christina Martinez, Anthony Philip, Ren Phoenix, Greg Shaw, Miko Thomas, Lindasusan Ulrich, Morningstar Vancil.
Committee Members Absent:Blue Buddha (excused), Martin Rawlings-Fein (excused).
Staff Present: Nadia Babella, Yong Lee, Domenic Viterbo.
Guests Present: No guests were present.
1. Call to Order and Roll Call:
Commissioner Chung called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Mr. Lee called the roll.
2. Approval of September 18, 2007 minutes (Action Item):
Ms. Laureano moved to approve the September 18, 2007 minutes as written. Mr. Guggenheim seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
3. Public Comment for Items Not on the Agenda:
No public comments were made.
4. Debriefing of the September 18, 2007 Meeting:
Commissioner Chung asked Committee members who attended last month’s meeting to provide feedback regarding the diversity and cultural sensitivity training led by Veronica Neal.
Most who attended felt that they wished that it could have been a longer training
Mr. Lee said that Ms. Neal understood that the 90-minute training she gave was a short period of time so she’s offered her services for future trainings at a discounted rate. Commissioner Chung said that in order to schedule future trainings, she wanted a commitment from the entire Committee to attend the training session since it would be beneficial only if everyone attended. Commissioner Dunlop would like to have one meeting out of each year dedicated to a diversity training. Ms. Vancil suggested that Ms. Neal include intersex and transgender issues in future trainings. Ms. Laureano said that the Committee needs to ensure that there will be new skills to build upon skills learned at previous trainings. Commissioner Chung feels that it would be a good idea to continue having additional trainings from Ms. Neal and that the ground rules should be posted at Committee meetings to use as reminders and references.
5. Discussion of Employment Non-Discrimination Act (“ENDA”) and approval of a letter from Commissioners to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi calling for inclusion of “Gender Identity” in ENDA:
Commissioner Chung gave background information on this agenda item then added that the Board of Supervisors introduced a resolution in support of the trans-inclusive ENDA and that Mayor Newsom has stated publicly that he would do the same. From this the Commission drafted a letter to Speaker Pelosi’s office expressing our support for the inclusion of gender identity in ENDA and offering our expertise and experience.
Ms. Ulrich suggested that the language on gender identity be stronger since not just transgender people are discriminated against because of perceived gender.
Commissioner Chung suggested a change to the first sentence in paragraph 8 that reads “Lastly, our Commission enforces the same kinds of policies…” be changed to read “Lastly, the City ofSan Francisco enforces the same kinds of policies…” to show that that the City already has strong policies in place.
Mr. Fuimaono moved to approve the letter as edited. Ms. Vancil seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Ordeñana said that the LGBT Community Center along with And Castro For All, community members, and a number of national organizations are organizing a local response to this issue. The LGBT Center has purchased remote cell phones funded by the National Center for Lesbian Rights that have been taken out to the community to make on-the-spot phone calls to legislators to support this issue.
6. Work Group Reports:
Anti-Racism: Mr. Lee reported that at their October 8 meeting, there were two Committee members present as well as two members from the business community to discuss the “We Agree!” concept. The two community members felt that it was a great idea. Their next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 13 at 5:30 p.m.
Commissioner Chung said that she presented the “We Agree!” document to the Mayor’s Office today.
Outreach: Commissioner Chung reported that they identified next year’s Chinese New Year Parade as an even for the Commission to have a presence at by staffing a booth. She announced they’re currently developing tools for members to use for outreach in recruiting prospective new members. They’re also developing outreach materials to be placed in various community organizations as well. Currently they’re drafting PSAs to be broadcast on SFGTV, Cable Channel 29, and on Three Dollar Bill Café Television. She encouraged anyone with outreach ideas to present them at their next meeting on November 7 at 5:30 p.m.
Sex Stigmatization: Mr. Lee reported that the a panel on sex offenders is being organized to be presented at next month’s meeting to discuss how those who’ve been convicted for having consensual sex (i.e. sex in public areas, etc.) and how having to be registered as sex offenders has impacted their lives. They will discuss setting up the next panel at their next meeting which will address issues surrounding serosorting.
Ms. Ulrich inquired on the timeline on the bi-visibility panel. Commissioner Chung responded saying that because the Committee had embarked on a very ambitious schedule this year, plus a high attrition rate on some work groups, plus a shortage of staff the work group has been delayed but not forgotten. She will talk to Mr. Brinkin about this matter.
7. Commissioner Report;
Commissioner Dunlop reported that the last Commission meeting was not open to the public, that it was a closed agenda to discuss and vote on the Interim Director and on the new Director of the HRC. The Interim Director will be Masood Ordikhani. Mr. Ordikhani’s appointment will remain until a formal announcement is made on the new director by the Mayor’s Office.
8. Staff Report:
Mr. Lee reported that natoyiniinastumiik has been leading trainings for the Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Lee will be leading an HIV in the Workplace training at Positive Resource Center on Thursday, November 8, from 1:00–3:00 p.m.
9. Old/New Business:
No Old/New Business was discussed.
10. Announcements:
Ms. Laureano announced that natoyiniinastumiik is being honored with an award at the American Indian Heritage Month Local Heroes Awards Ceremony on Friday, November 2, at 12:00–1:00 p.m. in the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda. Mr. Curtis announced that And Castro For All is having a beer bust on Thursday, October 18, at The Edge bar from 8:00-11:00 p.m. to kick off the New Venture Seed Fund. Donation is $5.00. He announced that an event entitled “Sister Comrade”, celebrating the lives of Audre Lorde and Pat Parker, will be held on Saturday, November 3, at First Congregational Church in Oakland. Fliers for this event were distributed. He also announced that he will be sending a response to The Evening Tribune, a Bahamian newspaper, on abuses towards members of the LGBT community in the Bahamas and may approach the Committee for additional support. Ms. Vancil announced that the Pat Bond Old Dyke Awards Ceremony will be held on October 27 at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland at 2:00 p.m. Mr. Fuimaono announced that he will be having his first dance performance with the performance troupe of his hula school, Na Lei Hulu I Ka Weikiu, this weekend and the following weekend at the Palace of Fine Arts. Ms. Ulrich announced that the Bay Area Bisexual Network’s 20th Anniversary Brunch is taking place on Sunday, November 11, at the Lake Merritt Hotel in Oakland from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Ms. Laureano announced that October 18 is the year anniversary of the HRC store on Castro Street and 19th Street will be celebrating at 6:00 p.m. At the celebration, San Francisco steering committee members will be there to talk specifically about ENDA. Commissioner Chung announced that SFTEAM (“San Francisco Transgender Empowerment Advocacy and Mentorship”) will be holding its annual fundraiser at the LGBT Community Center on October 31.
11. Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.