LGBTQ Advisory Board Minutes - 9-8-20
LGBTQ Advisory Committee
Committee Chair, Robin Schwartz
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Members in attendance – Cindy Brown, Craig Garmendia,
Danny Diaz, Elizabeth Schwartz, Gayle Durham, Herb Sosa,
Jamie Guirola, Mark Wylie, Michael Bath, Paul Thomas, Riki
Wilchins, Robin Schwartz, Sunny Weber
Others in attendance- Dan Rios, GMCVB
Called to order at 1:02 p.m.
Ongoing Business:
A. Approval of the June 9 and July 14, 2020 meeting minutes- Motion: Craig, Second:
Herb
B. MBPD Updates – Office Valdes spoke about the incident at Burger Fi and explained
the victim was not being cooperative. Witnesses say it was mutual and not much hate
crime verbiage was used. The Victim/employee was taking orders, the males came in
and got in some sort of dispute and assailant said something inappropriate to the
victim. It is listed as a hate crime. Process of LGBTQ sensitivity training was discussed.
C. GMCVB / Marketing updates – Dan Rios provided some updates. He spoke about the
relaunching of a GMCVB marketing campaign.
New Business:
A. Discussion with Police Chief Clements and Police Liaison Officer Manny Valdes-
Discussion was held on LGBTQ sensitivity training. Chief Clements said they have
been doing the sensitivity trainings, but COVID-19 interrupted many trainings and they
are trying to normalize it for the start of the new year. Chief Clements explained they
are creating wellness programs in addressing perception of police and from the police.
They receive people’s experiences from other communities. Miami Beach Police is one
of the first in the country to address LGBTQ concerns and mentioned that the training
is annual. Discussion was held on when the Black Affairs Advisory Committee will be
coming online. Once it passes on second reading at the September 16, 2020
Commission meeting, shortly after it should be formed, maybe in October. The
Committee possibly wants to do a joint meeting with the new Black Affairs Advisory
Committee.
B. Discussion was held about more diversity on the Committee- Paul moved that the
Committee recommends the Mayor and Commission give the LGBTQ Advisory
Committee at large ability to appoint 3 members with a one-year term to better reflect
the diversity in the LGBTQ community. Cindy seconded. Craig was not present for the
vote. All other members were in favor, except Gayle, Sunny, and Herb. Motion passed
9-3.
Committee Members
Cindy Brown
Craig Garmendia
Daniel Diaz
Edward Pascoe
Elizabeth Schwartz
Gayle Durham
Herb Sosa
Jamie Guirola
Mark Wylie
Michael Bath
Paul Thomas
Riki Wilchins
Sunny Weber
Subcommittees Reports and Next Actions
1) HRC Rating (Cindy, Liz, Herb, Sunny)-Cindy explained they are just waiting on the
hate crimes report.
2) LGBTQ Visibility/Marketing/ Tourism (Gayle, Mark, Paul, Sunny)-None
3) Health and Wellness (Ricki, Jamie, Craig, Paul)- None
4) Senior Housing (Cindy, Robin, Ed)- The Commtitee decided this subcommittee is not
longer needed at this time.
Meeting adjourned at 2:14 p.m.