LGBTQIA+ Commission

MINUTES LGBTQIA+ COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MARCH 21, 2023 Present: Vice Chair Jennifer Billingsley, Commissioners Dan Barry, Sandy Aldieri, Anthony Mangiafico, Dolly Haddad, Beth Shapiro, Cayes Jarda, Laura Timmons (arrived 5:42 pm), and Assistant General Counsel Christopher Forte. Members of the Public: Ayanna McKennon, Haley Stafford, Mia, Captain Lozefski, Christine Rebstock, Sage Delucia, and Christy Billings. 1. Call to Order. Vice Chair Billingsley called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. 2. Approval of the Minutes for the February 21, 2023 Regular Meeting of the LGBTQIA+ Commission. MOTION: Commissioner Mangiafico made a motion to approve the minutes for the December 20, 2022 meeting. Commissioner Shapiro seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 5:35 p.m. Commissioners Timmons was absent for the vote. 3. Public Session on Agenda Items. Sage Delucia introduced themselves to the Commissioners. AGC Forte informed the Commissioners that Commissioner Christine Rebstock has stepped down from the Commission, and thanked her for her service. Christine Rebstock then thanked the Commissioners and stated it was a pleasure to be a part of Middletown Pride. 4. New Business. A. Review of Social Media Guidelines for Commissioners. AGC Forte conveyed best practices for posting online for Commissioners as Pride Month approached. B. Review of Sam Avery’s Photography Proposal for PrideFEST MOTION: Commissioner Aldieri made a motion to recommend approval of Sam Avery Media’s proposal to be the lead photographer for PrideFEST 2023. Commissioner Shapiro seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 5:47 p.m. C. Selection of Performers and Hosts for PrideFEST 2023. Commissioners reviewed the applications submitted and the list of performers and hosts in the application packet. MOTION: Commissioner Shapiro made a motion to recommend approval of performers for PrideFEST 2023 according to the list attached to the agenda packet, removing Chica Parma Sean and Angelina Fierce, and adding Kenya Mone Heart, Astra, Natalia Fierce, Ambrosia Black, and Tiana Maxim. Commissioner Mangiafico seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:18 p.m. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638- 4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting.  MOTION: Commissioner Mangiafico made a motion to recommend approval of Hella Swagg, Mia, Ivanna, and Frankie Cyanide as hosts for PrideFEST 2023. Commissioner Jarda seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:28 p.m. D. Submitted Applications for Proposed Events. I. LGBTQIA+ Karaoke Night at Russell Library from 5-8 pm (4/13) (Brianna Skowera). AGC Forte updated the Commission on the dates and times of the event, together with the proposed budget. MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to recommend approval of the LGBTQIA+ Karaoke Night at the Russell Library. Commissioner Haddad seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:34 p.m. II. Band Night at Wadsworth Mansion (6/22) from 6-9 pm (Commissioner Aldieri). Commissioner Aldieri updated the Commission on the dates and times of the event, together with the proposed budget. MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to recommend approval of the Band Night at the Wadsworth Mansion. Commissioner Shapiro seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:42 p.m. III. Drag Artist Story Hour at RJ Julia on PrideFEST at 11:30 am – 12:00 pm (6/3) (Russell Library). Ayanna McKennon updated the Commission on the dates and times of the event, together with the proposed budget. MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to recommend approval of the Drag Artist Story Hour at RJ Julia. Commissioner Jarda seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:45 p.m. . IV. Book Discussion at Russell Library from 5:30 -6:30 pm (date TBD) (Russell Library). Christie Billings updated the Commission on the dates and times of the event, together with the proposed budget. MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to recommend approval of the Book Discussion at the Russell Library. Commissioner Aldieri seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:49 p.m. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638- 4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting.  5. Old Business. A. Drag Artist Story Hour at Earth Day Event on April 22, 2023 (Commissioner Billingsley and Russell Library). No updates. B. Middletown Pride 2023 (AGC Forte). AGC Forte asked the Commissioners to get the word out about sponsorships, groups to march, vendors, and volunteers. No other updates. I. Pride Kick-Off Event on June 1. II. Middletown PrideFEST 2023 on June 3. a. Drag Artist Story Hour at PrideFEST 2023 (Commissioner Billingsley and Russell Library). b. Pride March. c. Pride Rally. d. Pride Showcase Concert. e. Tea Dance on Main. III. Band Night at Wadsworth Mansion on June 22 (Commissioner Aldieri). No updates. C. Update on LGBTQIA+ Commission Initiatives and Events. No updates. I. LGBTQIA+ Commission Monthly Community Event Updates: a. April 13, 2023 (Brianna Skowera, Karaoke) b. June 2023 (Commissioner Jarda, Speed Dating) c. July 2023 (Commissioners Haddad and Santacroce, Game Night) d. August 2023 (Will Kenny, OutFilmCT Movie Night) e. August 2023 (Commissioner Billingsley, Queer Swim) f. September 2023 (Commissioner Shapiro, Karaoke) g. October 20, 2023 (Tileen Sebastiano, 80s Dance Party) h. October 2023 (Commissioners Haddad and Santacroce, Game Night) i. November 2023 (Commissioner Timmons, Thanksgiving Dinner) j. December 2023 II. Safety for LGBTQIA+ Community in Middletown (Commissioner Timmons). No updates. III. Middlesex Health and Middletown Pride (Commissioners Rebstock and Jarda). No updates. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638- 4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting.  IV. Middletown Pride and the Senior Center (AGC Forte). No updates. 6. Adjournment. MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Mangiafico seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 7:01 p.m. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638- 4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting.