Pittsburgh's new LGBTQIA+ Commission a 'strong and impressive' group

After delays wrought by the pandemic, Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA+ Commission will be staffed with people Tuesday, when city council is expected to make 17 appointments as recommended by Mayor Bill Peduto.

The mayor created the commission in June. It replaces a mayoral advisory council with a permanent city commission to act as an advisory group about issues impacting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

As a commission, the group will have more power and can recommend legislation for city council to enact. The appointees include a wide range of people involved in the LGBT community, prospective member Richard Parsakian said.

Parsakian, a Shadyside business owner who also serves on the city’s Art Commission, previously served on the advisory council and since June helped to organize the commission. Making the appointments was delayed because of the pandemic, Parsakian said.

“This is a strong and impressive group, and will be extremely helpful in informing policies,” Peduto said in a statement.

Council will consider the appointments when it meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

In addition to Parsakian, the appointees include Councilman Bruce Kraus, who represents South Side neighborhoods on council, Jam Hammond of the Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations, Tiffini Simoneaux of the mayor’s office, and city housing analyst Marcus Robinson.

Other members will include North Side-based blogger Sue Kerr, scenic designer Britton Mauk, teacher Leonard Orbovich, professor Christopher Robinson, wellness consultant Sara Rosso, William Hileman, Luca Salerno, Nekia Burton Tucker, Rev. Deryck Tines, Kathi Boyle, Denise DeSimone and Guillermo Velazquez.

It shows a commitment by the city to make sure the LGBT community has a voice in city hall, Parsakian said. Its members will have “an open ear and an open eye” for issues they can tackle.

The city has done a lot to address inequities in the LGBT community, but more can be done, Kerr said.

Among the top issues is racial justice, which impacts the gay, lesbian, queer and trans community, Kerr said. As city leaders work to recover from the pandemic, it’s important their voices are part of the process.

“I’m glad we’re moving ahead. With the magic of Zoom, we should be able to get started soon,” Kerr said.