2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee

Terms of reference

The 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee:

• Exchanges information with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit and queer communities and the general public about relevant programs and issues of interest
• Engages in outreach to the 2SLGBTQ+ communities to disseminate information and encourage participation
• Works co-operatively with other civic agencies whose activities affect 2SLGBTQ+ communities, including initiating and developing relevant projects
• Provides input to City Council and city staff about issues of concern, including matters that require action by the City
• Acts as a resource for staff doing public involvement processes
• Works with city staff to ensure that City facilities and events are accessible for people who identify as outside the gender binary

Policy advice

The committee:

• Provides input to City Council and staff about issues of concern
• Considers any matters which may be referred to the committee by Council or staff
• May take positions on policy initiatives from other levels of government within the mandate of the committee

Collaboration

The committee:

• Works co-operatively with other agencies whose activities affect constituent communities, including initiating and developing relevant projects
• Acts as a resource for staff doing public involvement processes and civic events

Awareness and outreach

The committee:

• Exchanges information with the constituent communities and the general public about relevant programs and issues of interest
• Engages in outreach to disseminate information and encourage participation from constituent communities

Planning and reporting

The committee:

• Produces an annual work plan with specific objectives by no later than April of each year, in consultation with Council and staff liaisons, for distribution to Council and civic departments for information
• Presents accomplishments and progress to date at the annual Council of Councils event
• Submits an annual report to Council describing its accomplishments for the year, including reference to each objective set out in the work plan and any arising issues to which the committee has responded

Subcommittees

People who are not members of the committee itself may serve on a subcommittee or workgroup. Membership on a subcommittee requires a time commitment of up to 4 hours every month or as activity requires.

Currently, the 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee has these subcommittees and workgroups:

• Municipal Affairs and Outreach (MA&O)
• Solidarity With Our Communities (SWOC)
• Transforming Civic Systems and Services (TCS&S)

Email us if you are interested in joining a subcommittee or workgroup.

• 2SLGBTQPlus@vancouver.ca

Meeting frequency

The committee meets six times a year and does not meet in August. Generally, the committee meets once a month on a Thursday at 5:30 pm at City Hall.

Time commitment

Committee meetings last approximately 2 to 3 hours. Time outside of meetings must also be spent on correspondence, meetings, research and networking. Preparation time for all meetings is required.

Attendance requirement

A member who is absent from more than two consecutive formal meetings without a leave of absence is deemed to have resigned.

Membership

• Saif Al Shamaa
• Laura Dale
• Colt Desjarlais-Tataquasan
• Eddy Elmer
• Gary Gerbrandt
• Sara Gill
• Ryan Hill
• Serena Jackson
• SonTung Nguyen
• Alicia Oeser
• Katie Anne Reimer
• Bradley Sarandi
• Terry Schenkel
• Kyle Simunovic
• Rodney Stehr

Terms end November 6, 2022.

Liaisons​

• Council Liaison: Councillor Rebecca Bligh
• Park Board Liaison: Commissioner Dave Demers
• Vancouver School Board Liaison: Trustee Carmen Cho
• Vancouver Police Department Staff Liaison: Constable Dale Quiring
• Staff Liaison: Paul Czene, Recreation Coordinator, Access and Inclusion, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation

Terms and Membership Composition

Persons appointed to an advisory body shall meet the following essential criteria:

• Not be employed by the City of Vancouver
• Live or work in Vancouver, or have a significant body of experience with issues in Vancouver
• Be able to demonstrate relevant experience or knowledge, abilities and skills related to the mandate of the advisory body

Composition:

• 15 members of the public (8 is quorum) with equal numbers of women- and male-identified people with at least one person who identifies outside the gender binary and one seat reserved for an Indigenous person which may not be filled otherwise.
• 1 non-voting Council liaisons
• 1 non-voting Park Board Commissioner liaison
• 1 non-voting staff liaison
• 1 non-voting Vancouver Police Department staff liaison
• The appointment of civic members to each advisory committee shall meet the composition objectives set out in the Diversity on Advisory Bodies policy.

Length of term:

• Committee members are appointed until December 31, 2020.
• No member of the public shall serve for more than four consecutive years on the same advisory body. A former member is eligible for reappointment after one year out of office.

Volunteer opportunities will be posted on the City’s vacancies webpage when available.

In addition to the regular meetings listed here, the Committee also meets several times per year for informal working sessions. Please contact the Meeting Coordinator for more information.

2021 meetings, agendas, and minutes

The meetings listed below are open to the public.  

2020 meetings, agendas, and minutes

The meetings listed below are open to the public.

2019 meetings, agendas, and minutes

The meetings listed below are open to the public.

2018 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2017 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2016 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2015 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2014 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2013 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2012 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2019-2020 in Review

An overview of the committee's accomplishments in 2019-2020, along with future goals. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no Council of Councils event was held.

• View the poster

2017 in Review

An overview of the committee's 2017 accomplishments and future goals as presented at the Council of Council's on October 12, 2017.

• View the poster PDF file (109 KB)

2017-2018 Work Plan

The 2017-2018 Work Plan summarizes the high priority objectives for the committee term and establishes an action plan to achieve those objectives.

• View the Work Plan PDF file (153 KB)

Trans people welcome in City Hall washrooms

March 15, 2017 - The City is committed to ensuring staff and citizens feel safe and welcome. Many trans*, gender variant and two-spirit individuals face discrimination and even barriers to basic forms of human needs.

Washroom signage at Vancouver City Hall is being updated to state, "Trans people welcome." The new signage will also be installed over time at other City-owned buildings.

Updating washroom signage on the City Hall campus is part of a larger City of Vancouver plan, Supporting Trans* Equality and an Inclusive Vancouver PDF file (1.50 MB)

2016 in Review

An overview of the committee's 2016 accomplishments and future goals as presented at the Council of Council's on November 9, 2016.

• View the poster PDF file (297 kb)

2012-2014 Term in Review

An overview of the committee's closing term accomplishments and recommendations for continuation of the work was presented at the Council of Council's December 2014.

• View the committee's presentation PDF file (117 kb)