Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLTC 304-2026 LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee Motion - July 14, 2026MIAMI BEACH OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK L TC No.304-2026 LETTER TO COMMISSION TO:Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission FROM,,,Rafael E.Granado,City Clerk re REGIS BARBOU DATE:July 17,2026 SUBJECT:LGBTQIA+Advisory Committee Motion -July 14,2026 The purpose of this Letter to Commission (L TC)is to update the Mayor and Commission on a motion made during the July 14,2026,LGBTQIA+Advisory Committee Meeting. Motion: The Committee wants the Mayor,Commissioners,and City Administration,specifically the Office of Housing and Community Services,to be fully informed of the federal changes being proposed to the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)regulation revisiting the 2016 Equal Access Rule and recommends that the city review the potential impacts on vulnerable residents and service providers.Further,the Committee recommends the City Attorney's Office monitor this issue and provide updates as they become available. Motion made by Paul Thomas and seconded by Carol Coombes. Motion approved unanimously. Members in attendance:Carol Coombes (Chair),Paul Thomas (Vice-Chair), Christoph Babka,Vincent Becchinelli,Ami Glottmann,Eddie Marti Kring,Eddy Rivero,Laurence Moser,Victoria Rebagliati,Timur Tugberk,Amy Wecker, Facundo Yebne Members not preset:Victoria Pelletier,Jonathan Welsh Background: At the July 14 meeting of the LGBTQIA+Advisory Committee,members welcomed representatives from Advocates for Trans Equality,who reached out to the City of Miami Beach to raise awareness of a proposed federal U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)regulation revisiting the 2016 Equal Access Rule.As drafted,the rule would remove references to "gender"and "gender identity"within HUD regulations and replace them with "sex," We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live,work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic community as defined in Executive Order 14168, titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” The proposed revisions would allow HUD-funded providers of single-sex or sex-specific facilities, such as temporary and emergency shelters with shared sleeping quarters or bathrooms, to require assurances or evidence of an individual’s sex when providing services. The Committee expressed broad concern that the proposed changes are harmful, invasive, and could significantly limit safe access to HUD-funded facilities. They also highlighted specific risks for transgender individuals experiencing homelessness, noting that the proposal could increase barriers to shelter access and leave people without safe options. Members further emphasized the serious implications during hurricane season, as any policy restricting access to emergency or hurricane shelters could endanger both the wider community and transgender residents seeking safety. The public comment period for the proposed rule closed on June 29 and HUD will now review and consider all submitted comments. There is currently no set timeline for the federal review process or for when any potential changes may be finalized.