Harris County establishes its first LGBTQIA+ commission

People gather outside Houston City Hall in 2016 advocating for the LGBTQ community.
(Melissa Enaje/Community Impact)

Community Impact
By Melissa Enaje
Updated 5:05 PM Jun 9, 2023 CDT

Harris County will have its first LGBTQIA+ commission to serve in an advisory function to the court when it comes to improving the community’s economic, social, health and safety outcomes.

“The creation of this advisory committee will add a new blossom to the future of our county and community. Harris County is making a bold statement that every voice is important and should be included,” said Ray Purser, Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce government relations liaison.

The decision came after a 4-1 vote at the June 6 Harris County Commissioners Court meeting, an effort spearheaded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones.

The details

• Members of the new commission will be volunteers appointed by Commissioners Court.
• The members will provide recommendations to the court regarding improvements for the community in areas such as health and safety.

Zooming out

Similar advisory boards exist within the city of Houston, including the LGBT advisory board. Members of the board collaborate with the mayor’s office to provide advice and recommendations on issues impacting the community, according to its website.

What’s next

Officials with Briones’ office said more specifics will be released as the appropriate departments work together. Such departments include the offices within county administration, county attorney and others, according to a news release.

• Together with Precinct 4, they will write bylaws and a membership structure for the commission before returning at a later date to request nominations for who will serve on the commission.

By Melissa Enaje - Melissa joined Community Impact Newspaper as a reporter covering the Bellaire, Meyerland and West University areas. She spent nearly six years covering Brooklyn and Queens at a weekly newspaper in NYC before making her way back to her hometown of Houston. Melissa studied journalism at St. John's University and Medill, making her love of sports and fashion even more exciting in the big cities. Follow her on Twitter: @melissamissye.