LGBTQ2+ Advisory Committee

Terms of reference

The LGBTQ2+ 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 LGBTQ2+ communities to disseminate information and encourage participation
• Works co-operatively with other civic agencies whose activities affect LGBTQ2+ 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
• 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 LGBTQ2+ Advisory Committee has these subcommittees and workgroups:

• Davie Village Revitalization
• Housing
• Older Adults (formerly Seniors)
• Policing
• Truth and Reconciliation/Two-Spirit
• Research on "Conversion" Therapy
• Youth

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

• Email lgbtq2plus@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

Members may miss no more than four consecutive meetings without obtaining leave of absence from the committee. Membership will be terminated following the fourth such absence.

Membership

Committee members are selected through the City of Vancouver's Civic Committee public selection process.

The Committee Chair is selected by the members at the first meeting for the Council term of the Committee.

15 voting members (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.

Current committee members will serve until November 4, 2018.

Members must reapply to be reappointment.

Non-voting members include:

• One City Council member
• One staff liaison from the City
• One staff liaison from the Park Board
• One staff liaison from the School Board

Members

• Kirsten Anderson
• Brendan Bailey
• Carolyn Camman
• Jen Donovan
• Brooklyn Fowler

• Andy Holmes

• David C. Jones

• Jutta Kolhi

• Sylvia Machat

• Rob McDowell

• Yogi Omar

• Linnea Strom

• Chase Willier

• Catherine Wong

Liaisons

• City Council: Councillor Tim Stevenson
• Park Board: Commissioner Michael Wiebe
• School Board: Trustee Carrie Bercic
• Vancouver Police Department: Constable Dale Quiring
• Staff: Paul Czene, Recreation Coordinator, Access & Volunteer Services

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.

2018 meetings, agendas, and minutes

The meetings listed below are open to the public.

2017 meetings, agendas, and minutes

The meetings listed below are open to the public.

2016 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2015 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2014 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2013 meetings, agendas, and minutes

All 2013 meetings are on Thursdays at 5:30pm.

2012 meetings, agendas, and minutes

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  (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  (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 (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  (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 (117 kb)