LGBTQ Advisory Board Minutes - 7-9-19
LGBTQ Advisory Committee
Committee Chair, Robin Schwartz
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Members in attendance – Alexander Palenzuela (phone),
Cindy Brown, Craig Garmendia, Danny Diaz, Elizabeth
Schwartz, George Neary, Herb Sosa, Jamie Guirola, Mark
Wylie, Paul Thomas, Robin Schwartz, Roger Thomson
Others in attendance- Ryan Thoreson, Patrick Whiteside,
Susanne Doblecki-Lewis
Called to order at 1:00 p.m.
Ongoing Business:
A. Approval of the May 14, 2019 and June 11, 2019 minutes- motion: Elizabeth, second:
Cindy
B. MBPD Updates – None
C. GMCVB / social media updates – George Neary provided some updates on behalf of
Dan Rios who could not attend. The updates are as follows:
The GMCVB continues to roll out the Q-Digital and Instinct LGBTQ advertising plan
with eNewsletters, email blasts and social media posts on IG, FB, and Twitter.
They are preparing sessions for the upcoming GMCVB marketing workshop, three
sessions will be presented: the price is right-complimentary diversity training on
sexual orientation and gender identity inclusion, treasure hunt - interactive
discussion designed to garner ideas on expanding Greater Miami’s Queer portfolio,
drag race- building a platform that will assist in the procurement of LGBTQ
meetings to Great Miami.
Everyone is encouraged to attend and participate in these or any of the other
sessions by various GMCVB departments.
GMCVB Director of LGBTQ Marketing will be attending GNetwork 360 in Buenos
Aires at the end of July where Miami will be showcased as the International LGBT+
Destination of 2019
The Summer 2019 issue of The Pink Palm, Great Miami’s LGBTQ Insider, is
currently being distributed and will be made available through the LGBT Visitor
Center, the Art Deco W elcome Center and various boutique hotels in Miami and
Miami Beach. A PDF version is also available by emailing dan@gmcvb.com.
New Business:
A. John Byrne, Patrick Whiteside, and Dr. Susanne Doblecki-Lewis to talk about Prep-
Patrick Whiteside and Dr. Susanne Doblecki- Lewis were present. They discussed the
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
funding of the Prep clinic and asked how they could get more direction about receiving
funding from the City. Discussion was held about providing the Prep services in North
Beach.
B. Discussion on 4 accused attackers at SAVE Champions event- Discussion was held.
Robin requested for the conversation to be focused on providing a recommendation to
the City. Other members provided their opinions; some suggested informing the City
that the Committee does not condone the comments made by the Director of SAVE.
Committee members also spoke about how the Committee needs to support the
victims. Other members suggested doing something to emphasize that the City of
Miami Beach has a zero tolerance for hate crimes. Motio n made by Roger: The
Committee recommends the City Commission and Mayor to make a statement that the
City aggressively promotes zero tolerance for hate crimes, discrimination, or violence
towards any groups or individuals. Also, that the Committee supports the full and fair
prosecution of any hate crime committed within the city. The Committee respectfully
requests the City Commission ask Police and City Departments to sign on. Seconded
by Herb Sosa. Jamie recused himself. The motion unanimously passed. Th e motion
will be distributed via LTC to the Mayor and Commission.
Subcommittees Reports and Next Actions:
1) HRC Rating (Cindy, Liz, Aaron, Herb)- Cindy reported that there are 3 items that still
need documentation: Transgender health coverage, Police Department liaison and
webpage that identifies him, Hate crimes report from 2018 was worth 22 points.
2) LGBTQ Visibility/Marketing/ Tourism (Gayle, George, Mark, Jamie, Paul, Danny)- None
3) Health and Wellness (Ricki, Jamie, Craig, Paul)- None
4) Senior Housing (Cindy, Robin, George, Roger, Alex)- Roommate finder for seniors was
discussed.
Meeting adjourned at 2:08 p.m.