The Howard County LGBTQ+ Work group was established on November 1st 2019. Howard County
Executive Calvin Ball signed an Executive Order to create a LGBTQ+ (Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+) Work Group to promote the shared community
values of diversity and civility. The Work Group will work with County
agencies, non-profit organizations, and other community groups to facilitate an
environment of inclusion, communication, understanding, and respect throughout
Howard County.
LGBTQ+ Work group will hold quarterly meetings which are open to the public as well as provide a yearly report to the County Executive that aims to address and identify current and emerging issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. The Work group is also charged with the following:
- Organize a series of events and facilitated
discussions, in partnership with community and non-profit organizations,
to provide opportunities to share concerns, promote mutual understanding
and foster stronger relationships to encourage a more inclusive
community. This may include things like focus groups, facilitated
dialogues, summits and additional outreach efforts
- Advise the County Executive on best practices and
strategies to further protect and promote the LGBTQ+ community
- Work with Howard County Government employees to
identify best practices to affirm members of the LGBTQ+ community
- Ensure that all meeting minutes are made available to
the public on the Office of Human Rights website
Vision: To create an open and transparent forum/space for community
to inform/effect the direction and focus of the LGBTQ+ work group. The intention
is for the LGBTQ+ work group to work as a conduit for resources and a support
system on behalf of the LGBTQ+ communities’ interests.
Mission: To educate and inform all Howard County citizens on genuine
and authentic ways to honor the dignity of citizens that reside within the
LGBTQ+ community. The intention is to identify and inform tangible policy
changes that will make Howard County a more inclusive, safe, and welcoming
space for the LGBTQ+ community.
Purpose: To correct cultural hiccups that undermine the dignity of
the LGBTQ+ community by increasing visibility, resources, and supports. The
intention is to affirm and validate the realities and needs of individuals that
reside in the LGBTQ+ community.
The
Work Group will include:
- Two representatives from PFLAG Columbia/Howard County
- One representative from HopeWorks
- One representative from the Howard County Human Rights
Commission (HRC)
- At least two student representatives
- At least five representatives from the Howard County
community (employee and/or resident)
In addition, Office
of Human Rights Administrator Yolanda F. Sonnier will provide leadership,
oversight, staffing, and logistical support. Assistant Chief Administrative
Officer, Janssen E. Evelyn, shall serve as County Executive Ball’s liaison for
the LGBTQ+ Work Group.
LGBTQ+ Work Group Member
Community Members
TBD - Term expires: 11/15/2022
Faye Liberatore - Term expires: 11/15/2022
Dr. Juls Gilliam - Term expires: 11/15/2022
Akbi Khan Yusufzai - Term expires: 11/15/2022
Robert Fontaine- Term expires: 11/15/2022
Organizational Members
Vanita Leatherwood - HopeWorks -
Term expires: 11/15/2022
Max Crownover - PFLAG -
Term expires: 11/15/2022
Jumel Howard - PFLAG -
Term expires: 11/15/2022
Bob Ford - Human Resources Commission -
Term expires: 11/15/2022
Student Members
Ara Rosenhyslop - Glenelg High School -
Term expires 2022
County Government Members
Yolanda Sonnier - Office of Human Rights -
Term expires: 11/15/2022
Janssen E . Evelyn - County Administration -
Term expires:11/15/2022
Trent Day Hall - Office of Human Rights -
Term expires:11/15/2022
Kimberly Pruim - Howard County Office of County Executive -
Term expires:11/15/2022