Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Task Force

City of Baltimore

The Mayor's Office established the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Task Force in 2001 to improve communication between the Mayor, City Agencies and the GLBT community. The Task Force strives not only to inform the Mayor about important issues but to make Baltimore a more attractive city for the GLBT community to live, work and do business.

Commitees

  • Business & Economic Development - Members of this committee strive to find ways to make Baltimore an attractive place for gay owned and operated businesses to operate. Plans are already underway to develop a Baltimore Gay Guide that lists gay owned or gay friendly operations.
  • Youth, Education & Families - With the "Gay-by Boom" well underway, this committee will address the needs of families in Baltimore headed by a same sex couple and children of GLBT parents as well as the corresponding need for educational opportunities that do not marginalize these children and provide safe environments for GLBT youth.
  • Health & Wellness - This committee will focus on the varied health concerns facing the GLBT community, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, breast and cervical cancer, health insurance coverage, mental health and domestic violence.

  • Communications and Community Relations - Spreading the word about Baltimore is the goal of this committee. Members are already working to bring a GLBT convention to Baltimore.

  • Public Safety - This committee has already seen many successes including the development and implementation of an in-service training to educate members of the Baltimore Police Department on GLBT issues.

Executive Board

  • Chairman: Bryan Stark - As a Public Relations Specialist, Bryan brings with him a unique ability to promote the City of Baltimore as a gay friendly place to live, work and play. Bryan can be reached at btstark@gmail.com.
  • Mayor's Representative: Tiffany James - A member of the Mayor's staff in the Office of Neighborhoods and the Mayor’s representative on the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Task Force. Tiffany is a Neighborhood Liaison for North and Northeast Baltimore. She can be reached at TiffanyR.James@baltimorecity.gov.
  • Vice President: Felicia French - Volunteer and Aging Services Manager of CARE (Commission for Aging and Retirement Education), the primary agency for seniors living in Baltimore, Felicia can be reached at Felicia.French@baltimorecity.gov.
  • Secretary: Jeremy Rosendale - A member of Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke's staff, Jeremy can be reached at jrosendale@baltimorecitycouncil.com.

The GLBT Task Force has successfully created and implemented an in-service training for all members of the Baltimore Police Department that began in February of 2005. Members of the community are present at each class and provide police personnel the opportunity to explore myths, create deeper understanding about GLBT issues and develop strategies to better communicate with the GLBT community.

New members are welcome and encouraged to contact Tiffany James either by email or by phone at 443-984-1082 with any questions or meeting times.

Sat. July 4, 2009

Contacts

Mayor Sheila Dixon
City Hall, Room 250
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone (410) 396-3835
Fax (410) 576-9425

Email The Mayor

Denise Chavis Brown
Executive Assistant
Phone (410) 396-1800

Betsy Gardner
Executive Secretary
Phone (410) 396-3497

Zoe Michal
Director of Scheduling
Phone (410) 396-4889

Correspondence Unit:
(410) 545-7981

Request Forms


Press Coverage By:

Mayor's Office of Cable and Communications - TV25 Baltimore