LGBTQIA+ Commission

MINUTES LGBTQIA+ COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MARCH 19, 2024 Present: Chair Steven Kovach, Vice Chair Jennifer Billingsley, Commissioners, Laura Timmons, Cayes Jarda, Dolly Haddad, Katie Marrotte, Christine Santacroce, Beth Shapiro, Phil Pessina, and Assistant General Counsel Christopher Forte. Members of the Public: Derek Angel Cartagena, Haley Stafford, Nina Vasquez-Rosa, Lindsay Semerzaki, Christy Billings, Captain John Lozefski, Cindi Perugini, Ethel De Luxe and Brian Forte. 1. Call to Order. Vice Chair Billingsley called the meeting to order at 5:39 p.m. 2. Approval of the Minutes for the February 20, 2024 Special Meeting. MOTION: Commissioner Marrotte made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Timmons seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 5:38 p.m with Phil Pessina abstaining from the vote. 3. Public Session on Agenda Items. AGC Forte updated the Commission on housekeeping matters. Cindi Perugini and Lindsay Semerzaki introduced themselves to the commissioners. 4. New Business. A. Performer and Host Selection for PrideFEST 2024 (AGC Forte). Disucssion was had regarding the proposed Run of Show. MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to approve the proposed run of show as presented. Commissioner Shapiro seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:13 pm. B. Submitted Applications for Proposed Events. I. LGBTQIA+ Trivia Night, March 28 at Bergan House from 7-9 pm (Brianna Skowera). MOTION: Commissioner Haddad made a motion to approve the event as proposed. Commissioner Timmons seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:16 pm. 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. Drag Artist Story Time, June 1 at RJ Julia, 11:30 am. (Commissioner Billingsley). MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to approve the event as proposed. Commissioner Marrotte seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:23 pm. III. Virtual Presentation by Erin Reed and Zooey Zephyr, May 20, 2024 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm in Council Chambers at City Hall (Brianna Skowera). MOTION: Commissioner Haddad made a motion to approve the event as proposed. Commissioner Jarda seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:27 pm. IV. Pride Ride, Saturday, Thursday, June 15, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Pedal Power (Haley Stafford). MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to approve the event as proposed with a date of June 8 and a budget of $250. Commissioner Pessina seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:39 pm. V. Book Talk with a Walk, Monday, June 24, 12 – 1 pm, Russell Library (Christy Billings). MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to approve the event as proposed. Commissioner Pessina seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:42 pm. VI. Books and Brews, Thursday, June 15, at 6 pm at Stubborn Beauty (Christy Billings). MOTION: Commissioner Haddad made a motion to approve the event as proposed with a date of June 13 and a budget of $515. Commissioner Marrotte seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:48 pm. C. Sponsorship Request for Anti-Racism Event at AME Zion on April 20 from 9- 1 pm (AGC Forte). MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to approve the sponsorship of the event at the $500 level. Commissioner Pessina seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:49 pm. 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.  D. Triangle Community Center Zone at PrideFEST Proposal and Events Proposals (AGC Forte) MOTION: Commissioner Haddad made a motion to approve the TCC’s proposal for monthly events as well as for the Gender Affirming Block Party. Commissioner Timmons seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:54 pm. 5. Old Business. A. Middletown Pride Grant Program. (AGC Forte). I. Peer Pride MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to approve the Peer Pride Grant Program. Commissioner Shapiro seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:59 pm. 6. Adjournment. MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Haddad seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 6:59 pm. 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.