LGBTQIA+ Commission

MINUTES LGBTQIA+ COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 16, 2024 Present: Chair Steven Kovach, Vice Chair Jennifer Billingsley, Commissioners, Laura Timmons, Dolly Haddad, Katie Marrotte, Beth Shapiro, Jesse Nasta, Cayes Jarda, Philip Pessina, Anthony Mangiafico and Assistant General Counsel Christopher Forte. Members of the Public: Derek Angel Cartagena, Nina Vasquez-Rosa, and James Lovett 1. Call to Order By Chairperson. Chair Kovach called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. 2. Approval of the Minutes for the September 18, 2024 Special Meeting of the LGBTQIA+ Commission. MOTION: Anthony Mangiafico made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 18, 2024 Regular Meeting of the LGBTQIA+ Commission. Dolly Haddad seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:02 pm. Commissioners Laura Timmons, Beth Shapiro and Jesse Nasta were absent for the vote. 3. Public Session on Agenda Items. None. 4. New Business. A. Submitted Applications for Proposed Events. I. Pride Dance Night, October 18, 2024, 10pm – 1:30 am, La Boca (Brianna Skowera). MOTION: Jennifer Billinglsey made a motion to recommend approval the event as proposed. Cayes Jarda seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:04 p.m. II. Educational Mental Health Event, date TBD (fall/winter), 6-8pm, Middletown Adult Education Center, co-sponsorship, cost $0. (Dana LaBranche). MOTION: Commissioner Timmons made a motion to recommend approval the event as proposed. Katie Marrotte seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:11 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.  III. Additional appropriation request for $300 for “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: Beth Shapiro made a motion to recommend approval the event as proposed. Jennifer Billingsley seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:12 p.m. IV. Post for Tony Ferraiolo book signing at CHC (Commissioner Billingsley). MOTION: Dolly Haddad made a motion to approve Steven Kovach posting the event on social media. Katie Marrotte seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:15 p.m. V. Transgender Day of Remembrance Memorial, on Wednesday, November 20, at First Church from 6-7pm. Cost $995. (Commissioner Timmons) MOTION: Katie Marrotte made a motion to recommend approval the event as proposed. Cayes Jarda seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:15 p.m. B. Nomination and Election of Vice-Chair. MOTION: Phil Pessina made a motion to approve the nomination of Dolly Haddad as Vice-Chair. Jennifer Billingsley seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:23 p.m. C. Creation of Request for Proposals for Lead Organizer of Middletown Pride. (Commissioners Kovach and Billingsley). MOTION: Dolly Haddad made a motion to approve Christopher Forte to draft an RFP at the rate of $75/hour. Phil Pessina seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:27 p.m. D. Recap of PrideFEST 2024 and planning for Middletown Pride 2025 (Commissioners, and Members of the Public). 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.  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. No updates. D. Middletown Pride Community Events Program (Total approved spending for FY 2024-2025: $7,950. Updates as needed). I. Recap of Star-GAY-zing with Wesleyan, October 11, Wesleyan Observatory, c-sponsorship, cost $350. Katie Marrotte recapped this successful event that had over 120 people in attendance. II. 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. Event is no longer happening. No further action needed. III. Two Part Gender Affirming Care Presentations with Middlesex Health on October 23 from 6-7pm at Baggish Conference Room Middlesex Hospital), and to appear at presentations and give opening remarks. (Commissioner Timmons). Commissioner Timmons will attend on behalf of Middletown Pride. IV. Connecticut Cryptids Event at RJ Julia, November 7, 2024 at 6 pm, cost $1,950 (Commissioner Billingsley). No updates. V. Gayme Nights to be held Mondays in 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). November’s Gayme Night will be held on November 18. VI. Murder Mystery Party, February 13, 2025 (Commissioner Jarda). Cayes Jarda is still working to find a suitable space. VII. Day of GIFTS in partnership with Middlesex Health, date Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Serve on Planning Committee to help plan event. No updates. VIII. TCC Event Series, September 2024 through August 2025 (Cayes Jarda, Beth Shapiro, and Jennifer Billingsley). No updates. AGC Forte will send 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.  around the TCC’s proposed list to the Commissioners. 6. Adjournment. MOTION: Jennifer Billingsley made a motion to adjourn. Laura Timmons seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 7:55 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.