City and County of San Francisco HUMANRIGHTSCOMMISSION Theresa Sparks Executive Director COMMISSIONERS Edwin M. Lee Mayor Susan Belinda Christian APPROVED Chair Mark Kelleher Vice Chair Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Advisory Committee February 17, 2015 Meeting Minutes Sheryl Evans Davis Michael Pappas Richard Pio Roda Michael Sweet Committee Members Present: Commissioner Michael Pappas, Commissioner Mark Kelleher, Alex Lazar, Bonnie Miluso, Bruce Ito, Danielle Castro, Diane Alcalá, Fayaz Rajani, Frank Lester, Jaime Huling Delaye, Joseph Frislid, Joshua Jacobs, Megan Rohrer, Mitch Mayne, Monica Davis, Richard Whipple, Sarah Steer, and Shaun Haines. Committee Members Absent: Barbara Lin, Heather Healy, Mark Snyder, and Tracy Garza Staff Present: SFHRC Executive Director Theresa Sparks SFHRC Staff Bianca Polovina SFHRC Staff David Miree Guest/Community Members Present: John Savior (currently involved with human rights advocacy and interfaith work in the Reno, Nevada area) Order of Business 1. Meeting was called to order at 5:32pm. Roll was called; a quorum was established accordingly 2. Public Comments for Items not on the Agenda There was no public comment. 3. Approval of the November 18, 2014 Meeting Minutes ( No meeting was held in December 2014 and the 2015 LGBTAC Winter Retreat was convened in lieu of the regular January 2015 Meeting) – Action Item The minutes were unanimously approved. 25 VAN NESS AVENUE, SUITE 800, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102 • TELEPHONE 415.252.2500 • FAX 415.431.5764 WEBSITE: www.sf-hrc.org Regular Business 4. Guest Presentation- Bianca Polovina, Esq. Discrimination Investigator / Mediator with the San Francisco Human Rights Commission will brief the membership body on the Agency’s on-going efforts and advocacy related to addressing and adjudicating claims of discrimination impacting the quality of life of the LGBTQ community in San Francisco. Commissioner Pappas addressed the AC body noting that in a recent HRC Retreat for the Commissioners that he and LGBTAC Co-Chair has experienced a very informative presentation by staff from the HRC’s Non-Discrimination Unit. Pappas went on to note that he and Commissioner Kelleher thought that the AC could benefit from a similar presentation on the work product of the Non-Discrimination Unit and its advocacy of “adjudicating” claims of discrimination brought to the Agency (in particular) by members of the LGBT Community in San Francisco. *(As this was the first “regular” meeting of the LGBTAC, Commissioner Pappas asked that members “introduce or re-introduce” themselves to the body at large and as a courtesy to the guest speaker Polovina.) Bianca Polovina, Esq. Discrimination Investigator / Mediator began the presentation noting that many people might have the perception that City of San Francisco is a “queer safe haven” and for many that may be the case. However, according Polovina based on the nature of the “cases” reviewed by the Non-Discrimination Unit, there still remains an alarming rate of claims being filed with the HRC that highlight the regular occurrence of discrimination in (a) Housing, (b) Employment and (C) Public Accommodations. Polovina noted that a large portion of these claims involve discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Polovina provided the membership with handouts that reflected the associated data on the nature of discrimination claims made with the SFHRC. Polovina noted that this data reflects that LGBT people living, working and going out in San Francisco may be still subjected to discrimination at some pretty startlingly levels. Before speaking to the nature of the data, Polovina provided an overview of how claims of discrimination or brought to the agency-“filing a claim” and the subsequent process which generally includes completing a “client intake” form, discussion on the facts surrounding the claim from the client’s point of view, a discussion of possible remedies that may be available to the claimant and any possible next step to effectuate those remedies including, advocacy on behalf of the claimant by HRC Non-Discrimination Staff , fact finding correspondence with the respondent and possible mediation where there might be a stalemate/impasse . Mediation is generally the last option toward attempting to identify a 25 VAN NESS AVENUE, SUITE 800, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102 • TELEPHONE 415.252.2500 • FAX 415.431.5764 WEBSITE: www.sf-hrc.org mutually agreeable outcome. Included below is a breakdown of the data associated with the HRC’s Non-Discrimination work product. For a more in-depth analysis of this data please refer to the audio of the meeting located on the SF-HRC webpage at http://sf- hrc.org/lgbtac-meeting-agendas-minutes-and-audio-2013-present 25 VAN NESS AVENUE, SUITE 800, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102 • TELEPHONE 415.252.2500 • FAX 415.431.5764 WEBSITE: www.sf-hrc.org For a more in-depth analysis of this data please refer to the audio of the meeting located on the SF-HRC webpage at http://sf-hrc.org/lgbtac-meeting-agendas-minutes-and-audio- 2013-present Polovina concluded the presentation opening the floor for any questions. Polovina noted that the HRC and the Non-Discrimination Unit continue to be committed to advocating for the LGBT 25 VAN NESS AVENUE, SUITE 800, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102 • TELEPHONE 415.252.2500 • FAX 415.431.5764 WEBSITE: www.sf-hrc.org community in investigating and addressing all claims of discrimination where possible toward improving the quality of life for vulnerable communities ( in this instance LGBT) living, working and existing in the City of San Francisco. NOTE: At this point LGBTAC Co-Chair in his discretion “went off agenda” and ask that the HRC Executive Director Theresa Sparks in her presence to speak on the high rate of violence being perpetrated on the Trans community in San Francisco including recent tragedies involving the death of a member of the Trans community on February 1st 2015. Director Sparks (along with LGBTAC member Danielle Castro) spoke to the heartfelt tragedy that had rocked the Trans community. Sparks and Castro (to the best of their knowledge) provided an update on the case noting that the alleged perpetrator took his own life. Castro noted that the victim/Taja Gabrielle de Jesus’ mother confirmed via police that the now deceased perpetrator was in fact the killer. Sparks noted that data shows that the Trans community experiences death by violence at a rate of 1-2 persons per month per year. Although the data tends to reflect a rate up to 20 deaths of Trans people in a year. Sparks cautioned that the number is likely a lower statistic due to the fact that many Trans individuals are “mis-gendered.” The Director noted that there have been reportedly 6-7 deaths of Trans people by violence just at the six week mark of 2015. There question at this point is whether these incidents of violence resulting in death are on the rise are if they are just being reported more –including the possibility that police are more so correctly reporting gender identification. Sparks went on to note that there are a number grass roots efforts happening in the Trans community right now tin an attempt to address these incidents and bring justice to the victims and their families. However Sparks noted that violence being perpetrated against the Trans community and the lack of redress (in some cases) remain a critical issue. LGBTAC member Danielle Castro spoke to the loss of her “friend and sister” and spoke to the efforts, protests and rallies that had happen on behalf of TAJA including the 72 hour creation of the “TAJA Coalition”. For more information on TAJA Coalition please visit https://www.facebook.com/tajascoalition Commissioner Pappas noted that the work of the LGBTAC was referenced at one of the protests on behalf of Taja which he believes speaks volume to the impact the LGBTAC has on the LGBT community at large in San Francisco. HRC Director Sparks directed the LGBTAC membership to the recent Report on LGBT Violence as created by the HRC and LGBT Center. Sparks notes that this Report highlights the higher rate of violence against the Trans community as a priority matter of concern by participates of the associated survey. Commissioners Pappas and Kelleher provided some background on the development of the LGBT Violence Prevention Study and informed the membership body that plans were in the works to have Rebecca Rolf, Executive Director of the SF LGBT Center to present on this Report and that the LGBTAC would convene for the March 17, 2015 meeting at the Center. 25 VAN NESS AVENUE, SUITE 800, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102 • TELEPHONE 415.252.2500 • FAX 415.431.5764 WEBSITE: www.sf-hrc.org 5. 2015 LGBTAC Winter Retreat Follow-Up? Membership to “re-visit” any outstanding issues as generated at the 2015 Winter Retreat. LGBTAC Co-Chair Mark Kelleher inquired of the body if they had any outstanding issues related to the January Winter Retreat that may be up for discussion? LGBTAC Member Bonnie Miluso recognized HRC Staff Miree for coordinating and facilitating such a well-organized Retreat. Miluso went on to note how much this year’s “icebreaker” portion as created by Miree was particularly fun and informative as it allowed LGBTAC members really good insight into the “personas” of their fellow members outside the confines of the regular “AC” meetings. Miluso noted that the 2015 Winter Retreat proved to be “one of the most organized and efficient LGBTAC Winter Retreat in some time.” Commissioner Kelleher echoed Miluso’s sentiment regarding Miree’s work on the Retreat. 6. Work Group Report Back- Each group co-chair(s) or designee(s) will provide a brief overview (3-5 mins.) on the central focus of their respective group’s “POP” and update the membership on any progress made to date LGBTAC Co-Chair Kelleher asked each leader of their respective working groups to provide a brief overview of their anticipated programming and work plans for the 2015 term-year.