LGBTQIA+ Commission

MINUTES LGBTQIA+ COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 Present: Chair Steven Kovach, Vice Chair Jennifer Billingsley, Commissioners, Laura Timmons, Dolly Haddad, Katie Marrotte, Beth Shapiro, Jesse Nasta, and Assistant General Counsel Christopher Forte. Members of the Public: Steph Dineen and Katie Ciurleo 1. Call to Order By Chairperson. Chair Kovach called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 2. Approval of the Minutes for the August 21, 2024 Special Meeting of the LGBTQIA+ Commission. MOTION: Dolly Haddad made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 21, 2024 Special Meeting of the LGBTQIA+ Commission. Beth Shapiro seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:05 pm. 3. Public Session on Agenda Items. None. 4. New Business. A. Selection of Date for PrideFEST 2025 to be Saturday, June 7 (rain date Sunday June 8). MOTION: Dolly Haddad made a motion to recommend approval of Saturday, June 7 (rain date Sunday June 8) to be the date of Middletown PrideFEST 2025. Katie Marrotte seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:06 p.m. B. Submitted Applications for Proposed Events. I. Screening and Discussion of “James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket”, Thursday, October 10, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Ring Family Performing Arts Hall, Wesleyan University, cost $800. (Commissioner Nasta). MOTION: Jennifer Billinglsey made a motion to recommend approval the event as proposed. Dolly Haddad seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:12 p.m. II. Star-GAY-zing with Wesleyan, October 11, Wesleyan Observatory, c- sponsorship, cost $350. MOTION: Dolly Haddad made a motion to recommend approval the event as proposed. Katie Marrotte seconded the motion. Motion was approved 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.  unanimously at 7:21 p.m. III. Halloween Event with Q+, October 19, from 11am-1pm during the Trick or Treat on Main Street on the South Green, and an open mic from 2-5 pm during the trunk or treat event, cost $1,775. MOTION: Dolly Haddad made a motion to recommend approval the event as proposed. Laura Timmons seconded the motion. Motion was approved at 7:25 p.m. with all commissioners in favor except Jennifer Billingsley who abstained. IV. Educational Mental Health Event, date TBD (fall/winter), 6-9pm, Free Center in Middletown, co-sponsorship, cost $250-550. (Dana LaBranche). MOTION: Steven Kovach made a motion table the event. Jennifer Billingsley seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:27 p.m. C. Recap of PrideFEST 2024 and planning for Middletown Pride 2025 (Commissioners, and Members of the Public). Steven Kovach and Jennifer Billingsley stated that they have a meeting scheduled with the Mayor the following week and will report back at the next meeting. D. Transgender Day of Remembrance Event, Observed Wednesday 11/20. Laura Timmons stated that she will collaborate with First Church on an event and report back next month. 5. Old Business. A. Safety for LGBTQIA+ Community in Middletown (Commissioner Timmons and Mangiafico). No updates. B. Middletown Pride Grant Program. No updates. C. Middletown Pride Scholarship Program. Laura Timmons and Beth Shapiro stated that they may be interested in working on the Scholarship Program this year. Laura Timmons will reach out to community members to gauge support. 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. Middletown Pride Community Events Program (Total approved spending for FY 2024-2025: $7,950. Updates as needed). I. 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. (Commissioner Timmons). Laura Timmons attended the event and stated that it went very well. Laura will attend the October 23 event as well. II. Murder Mystery Party (Commissioner Jarda). MOTION: Dolly Haddad made a motion to recommend approval of the date of the event as Thursday, February 13, 2025. Katie Marrotte seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:55 p.m. III. TCC Event Series, September 2024 through August 2025 (Cayes Jarda and Beth Shapiro). Jennifer Billingsley stated that they will reach out to the TCC to see if they would be interested in different services on behalf of Middletown Pride. IV. Gayme Nights 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, Santacroce, and Marrotte). Date of September 30, 2024 selected. V. Connecticut Cryptids Event at RJ Julia, November 7, 2024 at 6 pm, cost $1,950 (Commissioner Billingsley). No updates. VI. Day of GIFTS in partnership with Middlesex Health, date Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Serve on Planning Committee to help plan event. AGC Forte stated that he is still waiting to receive dates for Planning Committee from Middlesex Health. No other action taken. 6. Adjournment. MOTION: Jennifer Billingsley made a motion to adjourn. Laura Timmons seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 8:12 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.