LGBTQ Advisory Board Minutes - 1-8-19
LGBTQ Advisory Committee
Committee Chair, Robin Schwartz
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Members in attendance – Robin Schwartz, Cindy Brown,
Jamie Guirola, Herb Sosa, George Neary, Elizabeth
Schwartz, Alexander Palenzuela, Roger Thomson, Craig
Garmendia, Mark Wylie, Riki Wilchins, Gayle Durham,
David Lancz (phone), Stephen Fox, Jr. (phone),
Others in attendance- Dan Rios (GMCVB), Manny Valdes,
Erick Chiroles, Commissioner Arriola, Maria Ruiz, Alba
Tarre
Called to order at 1:00 p.m.
Ongoing Business:
A. Approval of the December 11, 2018 minutes, minutes will be provided at the February
12, 2019 meeting.
B. MBPD Updates – no reports.
C. GMCVB / social media updates – Dan Rios spoke. He said they are promoting PCMA
(Professional Convention Meeting Association). They have a group of LGBTQ meeting
planners. Miami was the winner of the Gay Travel awards at the 2018 #1 travel
destination. They are still working on the activation for the Miami Marathon, for a photo
opportunity. The GMCVB is producing their quarterly publication.
New Business:
A. Commissioner Arriola to attend meeting- Commissioner Arriola spoke and said he is
present to serve the Committee. He explained that he has always been a strong
supporter and he thanked the Committee for their guidance. He said he was present o
hear the Committee speak about Senior Housing. Robin Schwartz brought up the
rainbow crosswalk topic. Discussion was held. Discussion was also held about the
importance of the LGBTQ Community and how it has changed in Miami Beach. More
business and more tourism of the LGBTQ Community needs to be drawn back to
Miami Beach. Members of the Committee gave their opinions of getting LGBTQ people
to Miami Beach. Housing and mass transit was discussed. Maria Ruiz spoke about
housing and the money issue. She said there is language for our housing that includes
sexual orientation and gender identity despite the federal mandate . There are several
projects to market to the LGBTQ community. There is artist housing. Workforce
housing was discussed to help with the car issues on Miami Beach. Discussion was
held regarding the housing. The Committee suggested a town hall to discuss topics
that the LGBTQ Community helps with and to remain in the conversation.
B. Elizabeth spoke about the Sage Gala at the Betsy Hotel on February 9 th
Committee Members
Alexander Palenzuela
Cindy Brown
Craig Garmendia
Dale Stine
David Lancz
Elizabeth Schwartz
Gayle Durham
George Neary
Heriberto Sosa
Jamie Guirola
Mark Wylie
Riki Wilchins
Roger Thomson
Stephen Fox, Jr.
C. Robin spoke about the Aqua family bbq on February 3rd.
D. Equality Florida is having their big event on March 9th at the Nobu Eden Roc, it is
based around conversion therapy.
Subcommittees Reports and Next Actions:
1) HRC Rating (Herb, Cindy, Liz)- status quo at the moment. Dale connected Cindy with
his contact there and she will get all of the information that Dale was getting from HRC.
2) LGBTQ Visibility/Marketing/ Tourism (Gayle, George, Mark, Jamie, Alex, Stephen)-
Gayle spoke and said at the FCWPC a discussion was held about possibly financing
the art project through resort tax. Now that the G.O. Bond was passed, there will be
money there for Art in Public Places. She is in contact with Dennis Leyva. Discussion
was held about Art in Public Places funding the monument. Gayle and George will
reach out to Commissioner Steinberg about the next steps for this project and how they
will get the money. Stephen spoke about how he was contacted by an art gallery in
Wynwood and how they would like to be put in touch with any LGBTQ Art galleries in
Miami Beach. Discussion was held on suggestions of who to put them in touch with.
3) Health and Wellness (Ricki, Jamie, Craig)- Craig spoke. He said they have a lot of
reports in and they will meet and hopefully give recommendations at next month’s
meeting.
4) Senior Housing (Cindy, Robin, George, Roger)- They are meeting after this meeting
and at the next LGBTQ Advisory Committee meeting they will have more to say.
Meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m.