Harris County LGBTQIA+ Commission drafts policy recommendations, key initiatives in report

The Harris County LGBTQIA+ Commission came out with its list of recommendations to improve the quality of life for Houston's LGBTQIA+ community.

The commission, created in June 2023 under the office of Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, presented its inaugural biennial report Tuesday at Commissioner's Court outlining key initiatives and policy recommendations for the upcoming year.

"This commission is important not only for representation but for the commitment that Harris County is making to the LGBTQIA+ community to ensure that we are always at the table and in partnership with our local government to address our needs and issues," said Vice Chair Brandon Mack.

The goal is to provide actionable guidance to the Harris County Commissioners Court on policies and initiatives to better serve LGBTQIA+ residents, and to promote equality and justice in Harris County.

"This inaugural report reflects the resilience of Harris County's LGBTQIA+ community and the Commission members who have brought this vision to life," Briones said in a release. "Harris County rejects hate and discrimination and is committed to building a more just, equal, inclusive community for all."

Some of the commission's key initiatives include holding a large-scale town hall, a banned book fair, expanding partnerships with law enforcement to boost cultural competency, and fostering health initiatives to combat HIV. Harris County has one of the highest cases of HIV in the country, exceeding rates both for Texas and the U.S. according to the Houston Health Department .

The report lists the following recommendations based on community input during a series of listening sessions held in the past year around the county:

As a community convenor and direct avenue to local government, having that raw data from the survey will help the commission recommend additional policy solutions to address the community's concerns, Mack said in an interview with the Houston Landing.

Top concerns raised in the community listening sessions include the need for more mental health resources and the treatment of LGBTQIA+ people in Harris County jails, particularly the trans community , Mack said. That's why the LGBTQIA+ Commission is working with Sheriff Ed Gonzalez's office to have an LGBTQIA+ liaison staff position, something Mack said was in place prior to Gonzalez's administration but dissolved once he took office.

The committee also emphasized the need to invest in more LGBTQIA+ educational resources at Harris County community centers, especially after public colleges and universities like the University of Houston were forced to disband their diversity, equity and inclusion offices and initiatives under Senate Bill 17 .

"It becomes very easy for us to be separated in our community, and when that happens, that's what makes it easy to devalue one another," Mack said. "In doing this type of work, we're once again uplifting our community and making it easier for others to interact and learn about the LGBTQIA+ community."

Community centers should provide more than just educational resources about the LGBTQIA+ community, said Maria Gonzalez, who serves on the commission and is also an associate professor of English at the University of Houston.

"One of the things with the loss of the UH LGBT Resource Center was, in fact, beyond just books and information, but gathering places," said Gonzalez, who was among the core group of faculty, staff and students who helped establish the LGBTQ resource center. "We want to make sure that every member of the LGBTQ community in Harris County feels welcome in all our spaces of service. Those community centers are so valuable to our communities broadly."

The report was met by the Commissioner's Court with a few questions on implementation, but largely with praise and gratitude.

"Everything here from the summaries of what the community said to the policy recommendations are very realistic and clearly thought through," said County Judge Lina Hidalgo. "It's easier for us, and it's not things that are going to cost a ton of money at a time when we're tight on the budget."

Mack said Wednesday he feels confident about the year ahead after gauging the response and support from the Harris County Commissioner's Court on Tuesday. Next, he wants to get the ball rolling with its town hall and see movement from the county.

"This is a sign once again that the community is of importance to Harris County," Mack said. "This is also about the fact that when we uplift all communities everyone benefits." The Harris County LGBTQIA+ Commission will hold a virtual public meeting Nov. 21 at 5:30 p.m. See website for more information .