San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, October 19, 2015
5:15 pm-8:00 pm
City Hall, Room 416
1. Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102

There will be public comment on each item.

Jillian Wu, Lily Marshall-Fricker, Erica Kong, Stephanie Li, Cris Plunkett, Anna He, Jessica Calderon, Noah David, Giovanna Soto, William Juarez, Cecilia Nicole Galeano, Madeleine Matz, Luis Avalos-Nunez, Anna Bernick, Jarrett Mao, Grace Pating, Hatim Mansori

1. Call to Order and Roll Call for Attendance

Chair called the meeting to order at 5:17 PM. Commissioners present: Lily Marshall-Fricker, Erica Kong, Stephanie Li, Anna He, Jessica Calderon, Noah David, Giovanna Soto, William Juarez, Cecilia Nicole Galeano, Madeleine Matz, Luis Avalos-Nunez, Anna Bernick, Jarrett Mao, Grace Pating, Hatim Mansori

Commissioner Wu and Commissioner Plunkett were absent.

Commissioner Juarez, seconded by Commissioner David, motioned to approve an absence authorization for Commissioner Wu and Commissioner Plunkett.

Staff present: Allen Lu, Monica Guzman

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

Commissioner Bernick, seconded by Commissioner Galeano, motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was approved by acclamation.

There was no public comment.

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. October 5, 2015
(Document A)

Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, seconded by Commissioner He, motioned to approve the minutes. The motion was approved by acclamation.

There was no public comment.

4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda (Discussion Only)

There was no public comment.

5. Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. BOS File No. 150951 [Hearing on transgender youth issues, including areas of policy and budgetary need]
(Document B)

Mia TuMutch Satya gave a presentation on issues affecting transgender youth. She began by giving a brief overview of gender identity and then followed up on discussing some of the prevalent issues affecting transgender youth.

Commissioner Galeano asked if there is anything currently being done regarding teaching doctors or medical professional about issues affecting transgender youth. Mia TuMutch mentioned that in San Francisco there is a lot of way increasing access to healthcare for mostly adults, not trans youth. There are programs created to supplement, the National Center for Trans Excellence based out of USF. They travel around the world traing other medical providers about issues affecting transgender individuals and also disproving common stereotypes. San Francisco is also the first city in the US to provide hormore care and sex change surgeries. They are even creating a new department within DPH.

Commissioner Juarez asked what the definition of gender queer was. Mia stated that there are a number of definitions to the term. Some might mean that you are gender ambiguous, androgynous or somewhere in the middle. Other people use it as a political term stating that gender is a social construct. So some people use it as a form of personal identity and others as a political term.

Commissioner Li asked what you think is the most urgent issue regarding transgender youth that needs to be addressed. Mia stated that the biggest problem is violence against transgender individuals, particularly transgender women. This violence stems from a misunderstanding of the community. To change this there needs to be a shift in the community view that trans individuals aren’t trying to trick people or be something they’re not; it’s about being their authentic selves and living their lives fully. There are programs to stop trans violence such as public service announcements. DC has had high trans violence rates so they have signs on buses that condemn violence.

Commissioner Juarez asked about suicide or death that happens from hormone treatments of from transitions. Mia mentioned that suicide often comes from violence that individuals are experiencing. There have been cases in other states when people have illegal surgeries and people die from complications.

Commissioner Galeano was wondering if there is any support for trans youth or adults living in District 10. Mia stated that she doesn’t know of any services in that area off the top of her head.


Commissioner Galeano, suggested that there be more support services all over the city so that youth do not have to travel to specific neighborhoods far away from their home.

Commissioner Juarez recommended more increase in funding for non-profits that work with transgender youth so they could provide more services and to diversify funding to different neighborhoods so that they’re not all centered in the Castro or Tenderloin.

Mia also suggested giving 4-6 weeks of a heads up for the hearing so that community members could come out and there will be more outreach.

Commissioner Galeano had a comment that she is concerned about trans youth and if there is a way to incorporate this into education, to inform trans youth that they should not be afraid to open up and speak about this. Commissioner Li agreed with Commissioner Galeano and suggested an increase in awareness in public schools on LGBTQ youth so that there could be more compassion and decrease misunderstandings. PSA around the city could be helpful as well. Commissioner Matz also agreed and suggested more evaluation in the actual needs of trans youth. This could also bring about more awareness of the needs of the community.

Commissioner Matz, seconded by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, motioned to recommend that the Board of Supervisors conduct focus groups of transgender youth so they can express what their needs might be.

Commissioner Soto wanted to know who was going to be invited to the hearing. Chair Avalos-Nunez stated that departments will be invited but that the YC should also reach out to groups.

Commissioner Galeano, seconded by Commissioner Bernick, motioned to urge the BOS to recommend that SFUSD educate K-12 youth on transgender identity.

Commissioner Matz suggested urging BOS to urge SFUSD cultural competency training to teachers regarding transgender issues. Commissioner Marshall-Fricker wants to associate herself with this comment.

Commissioner Pating, seconded by Commissioner He, motioned to submit a question to the Board of Supervisors asking if the city is reaching out to parents or guardians of transgender youth to offer advocacy and support services.

Commissioner Mansori motioned to amend the k-12 youth part to middle and high school only.

Commissioner Marshall-Fricker mentioned that there is a way to tailor curriculm for appropriate grade levels.

Commissioner Juarez mentioned that children at a young age know they are trans so if students can be taught as early as possible it is best.

Commissioner Matz stated that it is valuable to discuss what people personally believe the Youth Commission does not have jurisdiction on what SFUSD teaches. She stated that regardless it is important that children are taught that whoever they are, is valid, from a very young age, even if is confusing.

Commissioner Avalos mentioned that there is a Transgender Law Center in Oakland but would like to ask the Board of Supervisors if there is a way to provide legal services in San Francisco for transgender individuals.

Commissioner Avalos, seconded by Commissioner Li, made a general motion of support for the hearing.

Commissioner Pating’s motion to submit a question to the Board of Supervisor’s was approved by acclamation.

Commissioner Galeano’s motion was tabled.

Commissioner Matz’s motion to recommend the Board of Supervisors conduct focus groups for transgender youth was approved by acclamation.

Commissioner Avalos’ general motion of support the hearing passed by acclamation.

A member of the public, Kiara from the Young Women’s Freedom Center, stated that they recently did a youth participatory action survey where they concluded that housing is the biggest barrier they face. They were wondering how the Youth Commission plans to address the housing issue for TAY in San Francisco.

6. Presentations (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

There were none.

7. Youth Commission Business (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. Resolution of Commendation 1516-RC-01 [Commending youth Teonna Frierson, Kiana Frierson, Eugene Holbert, Sabrina McFarland, and Richard Amaechi]
Presenter: Commissioner Galeano
(Document C)

Commissioner Galeano presented four youth who were present, Teonna Frierson, Kiana Frierson, Sabrina McFarland and Richard Amaechi with certificates honoring their commitment to public service in their community of Visitacion Valley.

B. Updates on Voting Age Charter Amendment
Presenters: Civic Engagement Committee
(Document D)

The Youth Civic Engagement Committee gave updates on the Voting Age Charter Amendment. They also presented about the Youth Empowerment Academy and answered questions.

Commissioner Galeano suggested going directly to high schools to outreach to youth. She mentioned that Balboa H.S. has a Law Pathways Center they could reach out to.

Commissioner Calderon suggested a teacher at Lincoln High School named Senor Rovo.
Commissioner Li suggested talking to Mr. Wurth an AP Government teacher at Lowell high school. She also suggested talking to the student board at each school.

Commissioner Kong asked for the demographics of the applicants and how they represent each school and the community. She also wanted to know how the Civic Engagement Committee was going to make sure there is an equitable distribution to YEA members.


C. Presentation of Youth Commission 2015-16 Outreach and Community Engagement Plan
Presenters: Commissioner He and Commissioner Mansori

Commissioner He and Commissioner Mansori presented on their outreach plan for the term. They mentioned the various social media pages that the Youth Commission has. They also discussed an informational video they hope to make.

Commissioner Marshall-Fricker mentioned that their deadline goal seems a bit ambitious and perhaps it should be extended a bit.

Commissioner Soto asked how long the video was going to be if they were going to interview 17 commissioners. Commissioner Mansori stated that the video wouldn’t be long and they had the option of having two videos, one with general information and the other with commissioner interviews.

Commissioner Pating volunteered to help with audio mixing.

There was no public comment.

8. Committee Reports (Discussion Only)

A. Executive Committee

Last Executive Committee meeting they went over committee check-ins. If you haven’t checked in with your appointing official you should.

B. Housing, Environment, and City Services Committee

HECS had a presentation by Katy Tang about housing. She also invited the YC to a district 4 meeting at the Ortega library where the neighbors would talk about the plan. HECS will be attending this meeting, so the HECS committee meeting of October 29th will be canceled. They also discussed park equity and want to hear from MTA.

C. Economic Justice and Immigration Committee

The Economic Justice and Immigration Committee met last week. They discussed their priorities for their committee. They’re currently working on an ELL survey and following up on DACA fee waivers.

D. Youth Justice Committee

During their last meeting they met discussed priorities and tomorrow they will have a special joint meeting with Project WHAT to discuss their existing working relationship.

E. Civic Engagement Committee

At the last meeting they were working on a presentation they did with the SAC. They will also be interviewing with youth interested in the Youth Empowerment Academy.

F. Our Children Our Family Council

Staff Allen mentioned that Commissioner Wu is part of the frameworks working group.

There was no public comment.

9. Staff Report (Discussion Only)

Staff Monica reminded everyone that they should meet with their appointing officials. Commissioner Soto has met with her appointing official and Commissioner Li has a meeting set up. The mayoral appointees also have a meeting in place.

10. Announcements (This Includes Community Events)

Commissioner Li mentioned that she attended the Local Coastal Community Advisory Committee and if anyone is interested in discussing issues of erosion in the beach area south of Sloat to talk to her. .

Commissioner Avalos-Nunez mentioned that CARECEN is having an event called “Romero Vive” on Thurs October 22nd from 6-9 PM . The price for students, teachers and non-profits is $45-50 a ticket. Please let Commissioner Avalos-Nunez know if you are interested in attending.

Commissioner Soto invited everyone to a town hall in the Sunset on October 29th at Ortega Library where community members will be discussing upcoming legislation on building density and height requirements.

11. Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.