HSYD General Membership Meeting, June 9, 2014

Board Members In Attendance: Deanna Ward, Caroline Giese, James Lee, Laura Beyers.
No meeting sponsor this month.
Meeting commenced: 7:01
I.

General Welcome, Introduction of Elected Officials & Candidates

a. Official
i. Council Member Mike Laster
ii. Council Member Robert Gallegos
iii. Council Member Stephen Castello
b. Candidate
i. Kay Morgan, running for the 55th Civil District Court
ii. Gloria Cantu-Minnick, running for Civil Court at Law No. 3
iii. Kim Hoesl, running for Probate Court No. 1
iv. Judith Snively, running for Harris County District Clerk

II. Officer Reports

a. President Brad Pritchett
i. Brad is in D.C. tonight, but he says Hey hey hey.
ii. News discussed in Old and New Business sections (below).
b. Vice President of Political Affairs Yesenia Chavez / Caroline Giese
i. Yesenia took an amazing opportunity working in Congress, so was forced to step
down. Caroline Giese was appointed to fulfill the remainder of the term.
c.

Vice President of Community Affairs

i. Position is currently open. If interested, please talk to an officer.

d. Treasurer Deanna Ward

i. Bank balance: NA
e. Director of Communications Alex Steffler
i. Like HSYD on Facebook (www.facebook.com/HoustonStonewallYDs) to keep
on top of the latest events and information.
ii. Help spread the word: repost/share events on Facebook and bring friends to
future meetings, social events, and volunteer functions.
iii. Update your email by joining our new website (www.houstonstonewallyd.com), or
by emailing us (communications@houstonstonewallyd.org).
f.

Director of Membership James Lee

i. Annual membership dues are $20. Join/renew today!
ii. Please consider becoming a Sustaining Member for as little as $5/month. Easy to
set up through Act Blue (see www.houstonstonewallyd.org for link), and it gives

the organization a steady stream of income to depend on each month.

III. Old Business
a. Houston Equal Rights Ordinance passed in City Council on May 28, voted 11-6.
i. HSYD pushed social media awareness including creating the #HOUequality
tag and held phone banks to raise support.
ii. Visit www.houequality.com for general information about the ordinance, including
FAQ. Recommend this site to those who have questions or
IV. New Business
a. Kris Banks to discuss opposition petition drive to repeal HERO.
b. Caroline Giese discuss screening candidates for November election; layout calendar.
i. HSYD pushes the straight-Democrat ticket. If candidates would like particular
endorsement, they may respond to a questionnaire that Caroline Giese will send
out within a week.
V. Announcements
a. Pride Parade
i. June 28
ii. HSYD will walk with the HCDP group.
iii. Senator Leticia Van De Putte is also walking with the HCDP group.
b. Equality Texas is looking to hire a full-time Community Organizer to be based in San
Antonio. More information here: http://www.equalitytexas.org/content.aspx?id=488
c.

Gender Infinity Conference at DePelchin Children's Center on June 20-21. More

information here: http://www.genderinfinity.com/2014-conference/

d. Wendy Davis visiting Houston on June 20th, for a young professionals event. Location
TBD.
e. Council Member Gallegos is holding a block-walking event for Wendy Davis at Mason
Park on June 22.
f.

First Person is hosting a Transgender 101 luncheon with Lou Weaver.

i. June 18, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
ii. Sparrow restaurant (3701 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002)

iii.
g. Representative Sylvester Turner is holding a third-annual Acres Home Juneteenth
Parade on June 21. Location is W. Montgomery St.
h. Some supporters are going to City Council tomorrow to thank the council members in
person.
Meeting adjourned: 7:50 p.m.