City of Middletown LGBTQI Plus Commission Regular Meeting — August 20, 2026

The City of Middletown's LGBTQI Plus Commission met in regular session on August 20, 2026 (the transcript lists August 19; the date of record is August 20) in a hybrid format. The commission unanimously approved a series of community events, received a comprehensive training on FOIA, ethics, and Pride history, and initiated work on commissioner resources.

Agenda Amendment

• Commissioner Angela Crowe moved to add three new-business items: a new commissioner guide, an event-planning guide, and a directory of community resources. The motion was seconded by Beth Shapiro and passed unanimously with the required supermajority.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of the July 15, 2026 regular meeting were approved unanimously without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Beatrice Stacker, facilitator of Feminine Domain and affiliated with Trans Haven and Peer Pride, spoke in support of that event, describing its positive community impact for trans women and trans feminine people. She said attendees frequently tell her it is the first time they have been in a room with so many people like them.

Discussion Items

• FOIA, Ethics, and Pride History Workshop: Assistant General Counsel Christopher Ford covered the commission's origin, structure (13 members: 11 from the public and 2 common council members), term limits (three consecutive three-year terms), quorum (7 of 12), and state minority-party representation (no more than 8 Democrats). He explained FOIA requirements: meetings must be noticed, agendas posted 24 hours ahead, and all communications (email, text, social media) are public records. He also reviewed the ethics code, including personal and financial conflicts, gifts, and the need to avoid the appearance of impropriety. On Middletown Pride, he explained its public–private partnership model, the $51,000 city contribution, the sharp decline in sponsorship, and the need to identify about $50,000 in budget cuts or new revenue by December.
• Financial Overview: Commissioner Beth Shapiro reported that Wesleyan University had reconfirmed its partnership and its employee resource group, Pause Pride at Wesleyan, would set up quarterly meetings. She noted the city's investment is not unique—citing the Anti-Racism Task Force's $80,000 funding—and that the commission remains financially stable.
• Community Event Approvals: The commission reviewed event applications on a month-by-month basis while the fiscal agent search continues. It approved:
  • Trans Game Night (Sept 10, 6:45–9 p.m., at Albert and Hall, Wesleyan University): $115 food plus $50 stipend. Presenter Pax reported average attendance of 18 people, per-head food costs of roughly $7, and a survey comment from a participant who travels up to 50 miles.
  • Middletown Teen Group (Sept 16, 6–8 p.m., at Revive Art & Craft Supply): $425, for ages 13–18.
  • Feminine Domain (Sept 26, 2–4 p.m., at Perk on Main, referred to as "Pergon Main" in the transcript): $75.
  • Guardian Group (Sept 16, 6–8 p.m., at Revive Art & Craft Supply): approved for one session (cost not restated).
  • Parent/Caregiver Mixer (Aug 29, 10 a.m.–noon, at Revive Art & Craft Supply): one-off event.
  • Annual Stargazing (Oct 9, 8–11 p.m., at Van Vleck Observatory): amended from $600 to $450 after Commissioner Laura Simmons expressed concern about cumulative spending. The amendment and the final approval passed unanimously.
• Fiscal Agent RFP: No bids have been opened; the deadline is the end of September, with action expected at the September meeting.
• Working Groups: Angela Crowe proposed three informal working groups to create a commissioner guide, an event checklist, and a directory of partner organizations. She and Beth Shapiro volunteered for the first; Christopher Ford offered existing checklists and contacts. The commission agreed to keep these as informal groups (under quorum) to avoid FOIA meeting requirements.
• Old Business: Commissioner Angela reported on the recent Trans Game Night: 36 people attended, including three commissioners, and the event went well. The commission also noted the removal of item 5B (report) and no update on the Pride Fellowship Program.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda amendment and July minutes approved unanimously.
• Six community events approved unanimously, with the stargazing amount set at $450 after an amendment.
• Events will be submitted and approved monthly while the commission completes its financial review.
• Informal working groups were established for commissioner resources; initial volunteers are Angela Crowe and Beth Shapiro.
• The fiscal agent RFP remains open with bids due in late September.