LGBTQIA+ Commission

MINUTES LGBTQIA+ COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING August 21, 2024 Present: Chair Steven Kovach, Vice Chair Jennifer Billingsley, Commissioners, Laura Timmons, Cayes Jarda, Dolly Haddad, Katie Marrotte, Beth Shapiro, Anthony Mangiafico, and Assistant General Counsel Christopher Forte. Members of the Public: None. 1. Call to Order. Vice Chair Billingsley called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. 2. Approval of the Minutes for the May 21 Regular Meeting of the LGBTQIA+ Commission. MOTION: Commissioner Haddad made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Billingsley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 7:01 p.m. 3. Public Session on Agenda Items. No public session. 4. New Business. A. Nominations for and Election of Chair and Vice-Chair. Motion by Beth Shapiro to nominate Steven Kovach as Chair. Motion was seconded by Cayes Jarda. Motion passed unanimously at 7:03 pm Motion by Beth Shapiro to nominate Jennifer Billingsley as Vice Chair. Motion was seconded by Cayes Jarda. Motion passed unanimously at 7:04 p.m. B. Vote on New Schedule of Meetings. Motion by Jennifer Billingsley to approve the new schedule of meetings as presented. Motion was seconded by Dolly Haddad. Motion passed unanimously at 7:05 pm. C. Holding of Commission Meetings In-Person, Hybrid, or Electronically. Motion by Dolly Haddad to hold LGBTQIA+ Commission meetings in a hybrid fashion—both in person in Room 208 at City Hall and virtually via WebEx. Motion was seconded by Beth Shapiro. Motion passed unanimously at 7:07 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.  D. Recap of PrideFEST 2024 and Path Forward for Middletown Pride 2025 (AGC Forte, Commissioners, and Members of the Public). AGC Forte and Commissioners spoke of the success of Middletown Pride 2024. Commissioners entered into discussions on Middletown Pride 2025. Cayes Jarda gave a shout out to our stage managers for this year, Sage DeLucia and Pepper Lohr E. Submitted Applications for Proposed Events. I. TCC Event Series, September 2024 through August 2025, cost $6,500 (AGC Forte and TCC). Beth Shapiro and Cayes Jarda are interested in working with the TCC to schedule these events. Will report back next month. No other action taken. II. Two Part Gender Affirming Care Presentations with Middlesex Health on September 18 and October 23 from 6-7pm at Baggish Conference Room Middlesex Hospital), and to appear at presentations and give opening remarks. (AGC Forte). Commissioner Timmons will give opening remarks. III. Murder Mystery Party on October 31, 2024, cost $6,625, at Sicily from 6-10 pm. (Commissioner Jarda). Motion by Cayes Jarda to approve up to $6,625 for a murder mystery party with a date and location TBD. Motion seconded by Dolly Haddad and was approved unanimously at 8:22 p.m. IV. Gayme Night to be held Mondays in September 2024, November 2024, January 2025, March 2025 and May 2025 from 6-9pm at Back Again Board Game Café, cost $800-$1,000 per event. (Commissioners Haddad and Santacroce). Motion made by Dolly Haddad to approve up to $1,000 for each Gayme Night event held in September 2024, November 2024, January 2025, March 2025 and May 2025 at Back Again Board Games. Motion seconded by Beth Shapiro and was approved unanimously at 8:27 p.m. V. Connecticut Cryptids Event at RJ Julia, November 7, 2024 at 6 pm, cost $1,950 (Commissioner Billingsley) Motion made by Steven Kovach to approve this event as presented. Katie Marrotte seconded and motion was approved unanimously at 8:30 p.m. VI. Day of GIFTS in partnership with Middlesex Health – Serve on Planning Committee to help plan event. Commissioners asked AGC Forte to connect with Middlesex Health to find out dates of Planning 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.  Committee. No other action taken. F. Transgender Day of Remembrance Event. No action taken. 5. Old Business. A. Safety for LGBTQIA+ Community in Middletown (Commissioner Timmons and Mangiafico). No updates. B. Middletown Pride Grant Program. (AGC Forte). No updates. I. Create Subcommittee for the Middletown Pride Scholarship Program. No updates. C. Middletown Pride Scholarship Program (Subcommittee). No updates. D. Middletown Pride Community Event Program. No updates. 6. Adjournment. Motion made by Jennifer Billingsley to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Beth Shapiro and approved unanimously at 8:33 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.