Commissioner Eileen Higgins kicks off Pride Month by spearheading legislation to conduct an LGBTQ County services assessment
MIAMI-DADE – At the June 1 Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting, District 5 Commissioner Eileen Higgins kicked off Pride Month by spearheading the passage of legislation to conduct an LGBTQ services assessment to identify how Miami-Dade County can better serve its LGBTQ community. The results will inform future policy decisions designed to address any gaps in such services to LGBTQ residents, visitors, and businesses.
“Miami-Dade County supports people from all walks of life, and we take pride in our vibrant and diverse LGBTQ community,” said Commissioner Higgins. “Our County takes very seriously its obligation to provide effective services to all residents. This study would be an important step in understanding and addressing the service needs of our LGBTQ community and businesses.”
Recently, the LGBTQ Advisory Board advocated for the conducting of the LGBTQ services assessment study or survey. This legislation directs the Mayor to include funding for the assessment in the FY 2022-23 Proposed Budget.
“We thank Commissioner Higgins for acting on our Board’s urging and helping pass the item directing the Mayor to conduct an LGBTQ needs assessment survey.” said Patricia Hernandez, Chairwoman of the LGBTQ Advisory Board. “In a time when legislation is being passed directed against the LGBTQ community it is comforting to have an ally such as Commissioner Higgins fighting for our community.”
Through the years, Commissioner Higgins has worked tirelessly to lift up the LGBTQ community by spearheading the creation of the Miami-Dade County LGBTQ Advisory Board, recognizing October as LGBTQ History month in Miami-Dade County, and with the advocacy of the LGBTQ Advisory Board, ensure that the County is a member of the Florida Hate Crime Coalition of the Anti-Defamation League. This study is another example of a request from the LGBTQ Advisory Board that will have a lasting impact and inform future policy decisions for Miami-Dade’s LGBTQ community.
“The LGBTQ services assessment is a tremendous opportunity for us to build public policy that is driven by data. As Executive Director of SAVE and also as a member of the Miami Dade County LGBTQ Advisory Board, the information we will receive will help build on the inclusive policies of our County government to strengthen the services needed for all members of the community to thrive,” said Orlando Gonzales, Executive Director of SAVE. Upon the completion of the study, the Mayor shall provide a report detailing the findings and making any necessary policy recommendations. The Mayor shall provide the report to the board within 90 days of the completion of the study or survey.
For more information, please contact Francis Izquierdo, Communications Manager for Miami-Dade County Commissioner Higgins, at [email protected] or 305-375-5924.