Worcester LGBTQIA+ advisory commission plans public-health forum, Narcan training and Pride outreach

The Worcester Advisory Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs met July 1 and approved prior meeting minutes before turning to planning and outreach. A motion to approve the prior meeting minutes was made and carried by roll call: Michael Abelson, Douglas Arbetter, Mark Guinette and Ann Harvey voted yes. The motion was introduced by Douglas Arbetter and seconded (second speaker not specified in the record).

Commissioners spent much of the meeting scheduling topics and outreach for the next months. Douglas Arbetter proposed a public-health-focused meeting and suggested inviting the Department of Public Health and AIDS Project Worcester to discuss health needs for the LGBTQIA+ community and how the city and community organizations can support those services. "It'd be good to focus maybe... invite someone from the Department of Public Health, and then also maybe someone from like AIDS Project Worcester," Arbetter said.

Members discussed a potential Narcan training offered by AIDS Project Worcester, including concerns about liability and logistics and who would host or promote the training. The group also discussed inviting Jesse Bernardi, the police department's LGBTQA+ liaison, to explain his role and potential support needs; Kevin LeVangie, the city's chief equity officer, recommended the liaison as a speaker and noted the role is relatively new (about two to three years). LeVangie told the commission his office would work to amplify the group's recommendations to city leadership and said "a lot of councilors and also community have their eyes on this commission."

The commission considered participating in Worcester Pride events, including staffing a table and organizing a flag-raising; Jesse (David) Connery was named as a primary contact for Worcester Pride logistics. Members also discussed outreach to local colleges (Worcester State, Clark, Holy Cross, and Quinsigamond Community College) to recruit students and families and broaden participation. Several members requested clarity on the commission's charge and next steps; the chair said the mission statement would be circulated by email and that membership and attendance issues would be raised with city staff.

The group tentatively agreed to meet on August 5 (first Wednesday) pending room reservations at City Hall and availability. Kevin LeVangie said he would follow up on nonparticipation issues and report back by email.

Action recorded: motion to approve prior meeting minutes carried unanimously with members present; no other formal votes were recorded.