LTC 039-2017 Motion by the LGBT Advisory CommitteeMIAM BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC #
039-2017
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members o the City rj mmission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: January 23, 2017
SUBJECT: Motion by the LGBT Advisory Committee
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to inform the Mayor and the Commission of a
motion made by the LGBT Advisory Committee at their meeting on November 15, 2016.
BACKGROUND:
The LGBT Advisory Committee has historically used the term "LGBT" in their title to identify the
committee. However, as communities evolve and shape with expanding identities, the LGBT
Advisory Committee would like to honor this and change their name from the "LGBT Advisory
Committee" to the "LGBTQ Advisory Committee" so that their name represents the same level of
inclusivity that their work does. As "Q" represents those who are questioning where they fit into the
spectrum of identity and can also mean those who identify as queer; using the term "LGBTQ" as
opposed to the term "LGBT," is a more inclusive term for the diversity and the broad range of people
and expressions within the LGBTQ community in Miami Beach and elsewhere.
ANALYSIS:
In 2014, days just days before the National LGBTQ Task Force Miami Recognition Dinner, The
National LGBTQ Task Force changed its name from "The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force" to
"The National LGBTQ Task Force." Preceding their name change, the National LGBTQ Task Force
had conducted online studies that resulted in 62% of responders favoring the term "LGBTQ" to
represent the community. The National LGBTQ Task Force resolved to change their name based
on their findings and the fact that their new name would be a more dated name that also
represented their core values of inclusivity. The LGBT Advisory Committee, with the support from
the City of Miami Beach, is committed to the same core values of inclusivity, respect and celebration
of diversity. A name change from "LGBT Advisory Committee," to "LGBTQ Advisory Committee,"
would reflect such core values as words are powerful and need to coincide with action.
COST:
There is no cost involved with changing the LGBT Advisory Committee's name. The effort would
involve revisions to the name on social media and including the new name on any printed material in
the future.
MOTION: To change the name of the LGBT Advisory Committee to the LGBTQ Advisory
Committee.
Motion Made By: Elizabeth Schwartz
Motion Seconded By: Stephen Fox Jr.
Motion Passed: 11-1
JLM/MM/MTG