[Adopted 10-1-2018 by Ord. No. 13-18; amended in its entirety 2-1-2021 by Ord. No. 01-21]
A. After the resounding success of Middletown Pride - which was created
in 2019 and attracted over 15,000 people to downtown Middletown -
and the significant and historic work performed by the City of Middletown's
first ever LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, it has become evident that a
broader mission is needed in order for the City of Middletown to continue
to improve the quality of life and well-being of its lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual ("LGBTQIA+") citizens
in Middletown.
B. The purpose of the LGBTQIA+ Commission shall be to serve as an advisory
body to the Mayor and Common Council regarding issues actually or
potentially affecting persons within the LGBTQIA+ community, with
the aim of improving the ability of the City of Middletown to serve,
support, and promote the LGBTQIA+ community, to recommend measures
designed to enhance the health, safety, economic opportunity and affordability,
educational programs, cultural and learning opportunities, government
access and accountability for the LGBTQIA+ community, to facilitate
pride events, gatherings, meetings, and forums on issues of concern
for the LGBTQIA+ community.
A. A LGBTQIA+ Commission shall be established consisting of not more
than 13 members, which shall be appointed by the Mayor and approved
by the Common Council. Two members shall be members of the Common
Council, who shall not be members of the same political party and
who shall serve only during their terms of office as Council members;
and, upon the expiration of such terms of office, vacancies shall
exist which shall be filled by the Mayor with the consent of the Common
Council. The Commission shall be staffed by the Assistant General
Counsel and such other staff as deemed appropriate by the Mayor to
fulfill the mission and goals of the Commission. The Commission members
shall be electors of the City of Middletown, and shall be knowledgeable
about the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and individuals, shall
have a documented commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community, and, to the
extent practicable, shall be representative of all socio-economic,
age, racial, ability and gender-identifying segments of the City as
well as different neighborhoods.
B. The current membership of the LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee will continue
on as members of the LGBTQIA+ Commission, and will continue to serve
until the expiration of their current term. Commission members shall
serve for three-year terms. Future vacancies will be appointed in
a manner that will maintain the staggered term expiration dates.
It shall be the function of the Commission to:
A. Advocate for a culture of respect and monitor progress toward equality
of all persons with regard to sexual orientation, gender identity,
and expression;
B. Promote policies and practices that have a positive effect on the
health, welfare, and safety of all persons who live, visit, or work
in the City of Middletown with respect to sexual orientation, gender
identity, and expression;
C. Cooperate in the development of educational programs and outreach
dedicated to the improvement of the lives of LGBTQIA+ residents and
visitors by eliciting support from public and private entities engaged
in the promotion of ideals of tolerance, mutual respect, and understanding
for the LGBTQIA+ community;
D. Recommend solutions to the social, economic, cultural, and political
problems facing the LGBTQIA+ community, and to serve as the liaison
between the LGBTQIA+ community and the City's government;
E. Serve as a forum to which individuals and groups can express concerns
related to issues of homophobia and transphobia;
F. Plan pride events, gatherings, meetings, and forums that promote
inclusiveness, respect, equality, intersectionality, and create visibility
for the LGBTQIA+ community in Middletown; and
G. Such other tasks that may be assigned to the Commission by the Mayor.