LGBTQ Advisory Board Minutes - 6-11-19
LGBTQ Advisory Committee
Committee Chair, Robin Schwartz
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Members in attendance – Alexander Palenzuela (phone),
Cindy Brown, Elizabeth Schwartz, Gayle Durham, Mark
Wylie(phone), Paul Thomas
Others in attendance- Dan Rios(GMCVB), Victor Diaz-
Herman(Pridelines)
Called to order at 1:01 p.m.
Ongoing Business:
A. Approval of the May 14, 2019 minutes- postponed to the July 9th meeting.
B. MBPD Updates – None
C. GMCVB / social media updates – Dan Rios provided some updates: they continue to
roll out the Q-Digital and Instinct LGBTQ advertising plan with eNewsletters, email
blasts, and social media posts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. They are rolling
out a geo-targeting campaign at Pride Toronto. They will be sending the summer issue
of the Pink Palm to press within a week, which will feature 4 stories, one being the
Miami Spice Girls about 2 lesbian chefs. They are looking for LGBTQ photographers to
quote on a photoshoot. They will be featuring women, families, and transgender folks
throughout different locations in Greater Miami, from everglades to the Beach. The
Committee recommended reaching out to Dale Stine, a former Committee member
recommendations for photographers.
New Business:
A. Welcome new member Paul Thomas- all the members introduced themselves to Paul
B. Matthew Viator to call in to talk about experience he had at a Miami Beach Hotel -
Matthew was visiting at the Royal Palm South Beach Hotel and experienced much
discrimination by other hotel guests in the pool area. Matthew went through the whole
story and provided details about the incident. The hotel was not very apologetic and did
not seem to take the incident seriously. Committee members urged Matthew to reach
out to Marriot corporate since it is a Marriot Hotel, to reach out to Steve Atkins at the
Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and also file a human rights
complaint with the City of Miami Beach. The Committee expressed the believe that this
property should be exposed and how sorry they were that this horrible incident
happened in Miami Beach since Miami Beach is such an inclusive City filled with
diverse people.
Committee Members
Aaron Bos-Lun
Alexander Palenzuela
Cindy Brown
Craig Garmendia
Daniel Diaz
Elizabeth Schwartz
Gayle Durham
George Neary
Herb Sosa
Jamie Guirola
Mark Wylie
Paul Thomas
Riki Wilchins
Roger Thomson
C. Presentation from Victor from Pridelines- Victor from Pridelines gave out some
handouts that showcased all of the things that they do and discussion was held. One
thing in specific was the LGBTQ Prom that is for youths and they are partnering with
the City of Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department to put this event on. It will
take place on July 13th from 6-10 p.m.
Subcommittees Reports and Next Actions:
1) HRC Rating (Cindy, Liz, Aaron, Herb)- Cindy said it has been less than a year since
they have submitted, most of the documents are the same. They will set a meeting
date soon.
2) LGBTQ Visibility/Marketing/ Tourism (Gayle, George, Mark, Jamie)- Add Danny to this
subcommittee, will double check with him to see if he wants to be removed from the
Health and Wellness subcommittee to be on this one. Gayle brought up the plaque that
will be on Ocean Drive and 12th Street, she said the verbiage may be changed. Gayle
will find out if it is going to go to Art in Public Places.
3) Health and Wellness (Ricki, Jamie, Craig, Danny)- no members were present to
discuss. Paul would like to be on this subcommittee.
4) Senior Housing (Cindy, Robin, George, Roger, Alex)- nothing to report at this time.
Meeting adjourned at 1:58 p.m.