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About

The Howard County LGBTQ+ Workgroup was established on November 1, 2019. County Executive Calvin Ball signed an Executive Order to create an LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+) Workgroup to promote the shared community values of diversity and civility. The Workgroup partnered with county agencies, non-profit organizations, and other community groups to facilitate an environment of inclusion, communication, understanding, and respect throughout Howard County.

The LGBTQ+ Workgroup held quarterly meetings that were open to the public and provided a yearly report to the County Executive that addressed and identified current and emerging issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community, and ended on April 1, 2021.

In October 2022, the County Executive and County Council voted to establish a permanent LGBTQIA+ Commission to continue the much-needed work of equity, inclusion, communication, understanding, and respect for all gender and sexual identities. The purpose of this Commission is to advance policy and systemic change for all persons who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Non-binary, and other capacities along the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. The Commission is comprised of up to 19 voting members and 2 non-voting student members who meet bi-monthly as of January 12, 2023.

To contact the Howard County LGBTQIA+ Commission, you can send an email to LGBTQIA@howardcountymd.gov

Commission Information

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Commissioners

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Officers
  • Chairperson: Brian Bailey (he/him) – Community Member
    • Term Expires: November 6, 2026
  • Vice Chairperson: Becki Vivrette (she/her) – Community Member
    • Term Expires: October 31, 2025
  • Corresponding Secretary: Beck Rainbow Lynn Seckler (they/it) – Community Member
    • Term Expires: November 6, 2026
Commissioners
  • Danielle DuPuis (she/her)-Ex-Officio: Howard County Public School System  

  • Bob Ford (he/him)-Human Rights Commission Representative

    • Term Expires: October 31, 2025

  • Faye Liberatore (she/her) – Community Member

    • Term Expires: October 31, 2025

  • Grace Anastasiadis (she/her) – Ex-Officio: Howard Community College

  • Sue Bryant (she/her) – CARY Representative

    • Term Expires: December 2, 2027

  • Thomas Zei (he/him)

    • Term Expires: February 5, 2027

  • Robin Gillispie (she/her)

    • Term Expires: October 7, 2027

  • Janeé M Pelletier (she/her) 

    • Term Expires: November 4, 2027

  • Saran Djimini Toure (she/they) 

    • Term Expires: November 4, 2027

In Process of Appointment (Updated November 14, 2024)
  • Grassroots Representative
  • HopeWorks Representative
  • PFLAG Representative 
Vacancies (Updated November 14, 2024)
  • College/Trade Student Commissioner
  • Up to five additional Adult Commissioners (per the LGBTQIA+ Commission Rules of Procedure Section 1.02, the Commission consists of a minimum of 15 members and a maximum of 21 members).
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LGBTQIA+ Commission Staff

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  • Yolanda F. Sonnier (she/her), OHRE Administrator
  • Liv Alanis Myers (they/elle), Executive Secretary
  • Marla Moore (she/her), Recording Secretary
  • John Hicks (he/him), County Executive Liaison  
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2024 Meeting Schedule

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The LGBTQIA+ Commission will meet on the 2nd Thursday bi-monthly at 6:30 p.m. at 9830 Patuxent Woods Dr., Columbia, MD 21046.

  • January 11, 2024
  • March 14, 2024
  • May 09, 2024
  • July 11, 2024
  • September 12, 2024
  • November 14, 2024
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Rules of Procedure

Meeting Agendas & Minutes

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2024

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The Office of Human Rights and Equity strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation to access a Public Commission meeting or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Liv Alanis Myers at lamyers@howardcountymd.gov. Accommodations requested less than five business days before a meeting are not guaranteed, though every effort will be taken to provide said accommodation.

December 12, 2024

  • Agenda
  • Minutes

November 14, 2024 (Special Virtual Meeting-Officer Elections)

October 29, 2024 (Special Virtual Meeting-FY26 Budget Approval) 

September 12, 2024

July 11, 2024

May 09, 2024

April 04, 2024 (Special Virtual Meeting-Closed Session Review of Rules of Procedure)

March 25, 2024 - (Special Commission Meeting)

March 14, 2024

February 08, 2024  (Special Commission Meeting)

January 11, 2024

January 07, 2024 (LGBTQIA+ Commission Planning Retreat)

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2023

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December 06, 2023 (Special Meeting to Elect Officers & Adopt Rules of Procedure)

November 13, 2023 (Special Meeting to Vote on Letters of Recommendation to County Executive)

November 9, 2023

September 14, 2023

September 12, 2023 (OHRE Commission Gathering)

August 10, 2023 (Special Meeting on Budget)

July 13, 2023

May 11, 2023

March 9, 2023

January 12, 2023

Workgroup Information

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LGBTQIA+ Press Conference

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June 22, 2022
Howard County Executive Ball Proposes County’s First Permanent LGBTQIA+ Commission to Advance Equity and Inclusion.

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Calvin Ball at podium

 

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Yolanda speaks
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Commissioners

 

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Love is Love

At a press conference held on June 22, 2022, Executive Ball unveiled the plan for a permanent LGBTQIA+ Commission, which will require the approval of the Howard County Council. The new Commission would follow the work of an LGBTQ+ Workgroup launched in 2019 by County Executive Ball that provided recommendations on best practices and improvements to support the LGBTQ+ community. “We will always support and affirm our LGBTQ+ community and need to take action in the face of increased attacks on gay and transgender equality across the country,” said Ball. “Howard County can be a beacon and a model on how to uplift all our residents, and how to be inclusive and welcoming to everyone.”

Building off the work and recommendations already made by the LGBTQ+ Workgroup, the commission will be made up of at least 13 members of the gay and transgender communities and/or are representatives of regional LGBTQ+ organizations. The commission will also submit an annual report to the County Council and County Executive. Legislation for the commission is expected to be filed in July.

The commission will have the following responsibilities:

  • Support efforts to organize, educate, and mobilize the LGBTQIA+ community through coalition building and coordination with allied individuals, groups, and organizations;
  • Identify best practices to affirm members of the gay and transgender community;
  • Recommend initiatives to support LGBTQIA+ families and children; and
  • Advise the County on policy and programs that impact our gay and transgender community, and on how to improve outcomes for underserved and at-risk members of the LGBTQIA+ population.
  • Support, plan, and execute events, like PRIDE, to celebrate and affirm the community.

OHRE Administrator Yolanda F. Sonnier served as the emcee of the press conference. There were inspiring remarks from Howard County Executive Calvin Ball; the Honorable Byron E. McFarlane, Register of Wills; Bob Ford, a Member of Howard County's Human Rights Commission; a former member of the LGBTQ+ Workgroup; Jumel Howard, Chapter President of the PFLAG Columbia-Howard County, MD and a former member of the LGBTQ+ Workgroup; and community member Becki Weiss Vivrette.

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Workgroup Members

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  • Maya Carey, HopeWorks of Howard County
  • Max Crownover, PFLAG Columbia-Howard
  • Debb Dunn, Chase Brexton
  • Robert Fontaine, Community Member
  • Robert Ford, Human Rights Commission
  • Dr. Juls Gilliam, Community Member
  • Jumel Howard, PFLAG Columbia-Howard County
  • Andrew Kanicki, Community Member
  • Akbi Khan, Community Member
  • Vanita Leatherwood, HopeWorks of Howard County
  • Faye M. Liberatore, Community Member
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Howard County Government Staff

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  • Yolanda F. Sonnier, OHRE Administrator
  • Claudia M. Allen, OHRE Outreach Supervisor
  • Kimberly Pruim, Director of Constituent Services and Community Partnerships

Resources and Publications

Title

Your Guide to the Symbols of Pride: A Pride Zine

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Designed by the LGBTQIA+ Commission's 2022-2023 Vice Chair, Ash Baker (they/them), “Your Guide to the Symbols of Pride: A Pride Zine” provides information about the history of the pride flag, an explanation of the letters comprising the acronym LGBTQIA+, and images of each of the pride flags.

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Understanding Pronouns Guide

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This guide to understanding pronouns was created by the Howard County LGBTQIA+ Commission to support community members interested in learning how to navigate conversations around gender and sexual identity! Using an individual's correct pronouns has been shown to be deeply beneficial to their mental health and wellbeing, and is an essential component of LGBTQIA+ allyship. This guide reviews common pronouns, common terms relating to sex and gender identity, and how to navigate asking for and using an individual's correct pronouns. 

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LGBTQIA + Commission Rules of Procedure

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 LGBTQIA Commission Rules of Procedure

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Webinars

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The LGBTQIA+ Commission hosted its inaugural webinar series during June of 2024. Select the links below to view full recordings. 

Events

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2024 Trans Day of Visibility Program

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The LGBTQIA+ Commission held their inaugural Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) event on March 31, 2024. More than 50 people attended an event full of incredible performances, moving tributes, and deeply felt expressions of community and compassion. View the 2024 program, complete with information performer information and bios. 

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