LGBTQIA+ Commission

MINUTES LGBTQIA+ COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING FEBRUARY 20, 2024 Present: Chair Steven Kovach, Vice Chair Jennifer Billingsley, Commissioners, Laura Timmons, Cayes Jarda, Dolly Haddad, Katie Marrotte, Jesse Nasta, Christine Santacroce, Beth Shapiro, Anthony Mangiafico, and Assistant General Counsel Christopher Forte. Members of the Public: Derek Angel Cartagena, Brianna Skowera, Susan Nathaiel, Kate Munoz, Haley Stafford, Stephen Byers, Kalani Valentin, Mike Judd, Udayarka Karra, Captain John Lozefski, and Chief Costa. 1. Call to Order. Chair Kovach called the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m. 2. Approval of the Minutes for the November, 21, 2023 Regular Meeting of the LGBTQIA+ Commission, and of the December 6, 2023 and January 11, 2024 Special Meetings of the Middletown Pride Scholarship Subcommittee. MOTION: Commissioner Haddad made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Shapiro seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 5:38 p.m. 3. Public Session on Agenda Items. Susan Nathaeil introduced herself and presented an opportunity for the Commission to sponsor an Anti-Racism event being held at AME Zion Church on April 20, 2024 from 9-1 pm. Up to a $2,000 sponsorship was requested. Commissioners agreed that this will be an agenda item at the March meeting. Commissioner Jarda stated that he believed that Ms. Nathaeil should also approach the Anti-Racism Task Force and Racial Justice Coalition for sponsorships. 4. New Business. A. Approval of Meeting Dates for 2024. MOTION: Commissioner Shapiro made a motion to approve the 2024 meeting dates. Commissioner Marrotte seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 5:50 p.m. B. Submitted Applications for Proposed Events. I. All Ages Karaoke, March 6, 5 – 8 pm at Russell Library (Brianna Skowera) MOTION: Commissioner Haddad made a motion to approve the event as presented. Commissioner Jarda seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 5:52 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.  II. Pride Rocks! April 2024, 1-3 pm at Russell Library (Commissioner Marrotte) MOTION: Commissioner Nasta made a motion to approve the event as presented. Commissioner Shapiro seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 5:57 p.m. III. Queer Singles Mixer, March 10, 6-10 at Relish (Commissioner Jarda) MOTION: Commissioner Billingsley made a motion to approve the event as presented. Commissioner Timmons seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:11 p.m. IV. TransHaven Monthly Game and Social (Brianna Skowera). MOTION: Commissioner Marrotte made a motion to approve the event as presented. Commissioner Billingsley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:11 p.m. C. Mintz and Hoke Partnership Approval (AGC Forte). MOTION: Commissioner Mangiafico made a motion to approve the sponsorship agreement as presented. Commissioner Haddad seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:18 p.m. D. James Baldwin Centennial (AGC Forte). Commissioner Nasta will follow up and work with the organization to plan this event. E. Approval of Grand Marshal Nominations (AGC Forte). MOTION: Commissioner Haddad made a motion to approve all three nominated Grand Marshals. Commissioner Jarda seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:27 p.m. F. Russel Library Update (AGC Forte). Tabled until April. G. Q+ Sweet Treat Gala Sponsorship Request (AGC Forte). MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to approve the sponsorship for $500. Commissioner Jarda seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:29 p.m. Commissioner Billingsley abstained from the vote. H. Peer Pride Grant Program (AGC Forte). AGC Forte updated the Commissioners on the status of the Peer Pride Grant program, and hopes to have a proposal to present in April. 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.  I. Proposal from The Collective and CTGLC to collaborate on scholarships (AGC Forte). Kate Munoz from The Collective was present and proposed combining scholarship funds for Middletown Pride to administer. Some questions were raised on details, and it was agreed to circle back and present again in April. 5. Old Business. A. Middletown PrideFEST 2024 (Commissioners and Members of Public). I. Recommend approvals for Middletown PrideFEST 2024. a. Approval of Compensation for Performers and Hosts. MOTION: Commissioner Billingsley made a motion to approve the compensation for performers as follows: $150 for individuals, $300 for groups, $650 for hosts on the Main Street Stage, and $800 for hosts on the South Green Stage. Commissioner Shapiro seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:43 p.m. b. Approval of Photographer for PrideFEST. MOTION: Commissioner Mangiafico made a motion to approve the proposal as presented. Commissioner Shapiro seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:46 p.m. c. Approval of Commission Speakers during Pride Rally. Tabled until April. d. Approval of Videographer quote for Bryana Lucas. MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to approve the proposal as presented. Commissioner Shapiro seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:48 p.m. e. Approval of ASL services for PrideFEST MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to approve the proposal as presented. Commissioner Billingsley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:49 p.m. f. Approval of Stage Manager Services for PrideFEST. MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to approve the proposal as presented. Commissioner Haddad seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:50 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.  g. PeerPride Zone at PrideFEST MOTION: Commissioner Timons made a motion to approve the proposal as presented. Commissioner Marrotte seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:53 p.m. B. Middletown Pride Mutual Aid Program (Brianna Skowera). No updates. C. Middletown Pride Discord Account and Facebook Access (Commissioner Haddad). No updates. D. Safety for LGBTQIA+ Community in Middletown (Commissioner Timmons and Mangiafico). No updates. E. Middletown Pride Grant Program. (AGC Forte). See above. No updates. F. Middletown Pride Scholarship Program (Subcommittee). No updates. G. Pride Flag Visibility Initiative (AGC Forte). No updates. H. Pride Micro-Grant Initiative (AGC Forte). No updates. I. Middletown Pride Community Event Program. No updates. I. November 22, 2023—Recap of Pridesgiving (AGC Forte) II. December 9, 2023 – Recap Swim with Pride (Commissioner Billingsley) III. December 10, 2023 – Recap of Cookie Decorating at Sweet Harmony (AGC Forte) IV. December 11, 2023 – Recap Pride Health Clinic at City Hall (AGC Forte) V. December 15, 2023—Recap of Happy Hour (AGC Forte, Commissioners Kovach and Shapiro) VI. December 18, 2023, Recap of Speed Dating and Friending: Ugly Sweater Edition, Relish, 6-9 pm. VII. January 2024—Recap of Gayme Night, Part 4, Back Again Board Games, 6-9 pm (Commissioners Haddad and Santacroce) VIII. February 2024 IX. March 2024—Gayme Night, Part 5, Back Again Board Games, 6-9 pm (Commissioners Haddad and Santacroce) 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.  X. April 2024 XI. May 2024—Gayme Night, Part 6, Back Again Board Games, 6-9 pm (Commissioners Haddad and Santacroce) XII. June 2024 (Connecticut Trail Days Event, June 2, 2024 Update (Commissioner’s Shapiro and Haddad). 6. Adjournment. MOTION: Commissioner Haddad made a motion to approve the proposal as presented. Commissioner Marrotte seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:54 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.