Middletown LGBTQI+ Commission elects leadership, keeps hybrid meetings and sets PrideFest 2027 date

At its July 15 meeting the Middletown LGBTQI+ Commission confirmed leadership and several calendar and procedural items.

The commission elected Brianna Bloom Scapera as chair for the 2026–27 year and selected Katie Mayer to serve as vice chair; Katie was recorded as abstaining from the vice‑chair vote but accepted the nomination. Commissioners voted to continue the commission’s meetings in a hybrid format for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.

The commission also set PrideFest 2027 for Saturday, June 5, 2027, with a rain date of Sunday, June 6, in keeping with the commission’s practice of using the first Saturday of June. Beth Shapiro moved the date selection and the motion passed by unanimous consent.

On the scholarship program the commission approved the creation and appointment of a Middletown Pride scholarship subcommittee (naming Beth Shapiro and Trevor Charles as members). Beth disclosed that her son may apply for the scholarship and said she would not have her name attached to the subcommittee this year and would recuse from voting on any application involving her son; commissioners accepted that arrangement and the motion passed with one abstention.

Other routine items — approval of minutes, volunteers to review budget line items and event logistics, and plans to explore short‑term donation tools — were also approved by voice votes or unanimous consent. The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.

Actions at a glance:
• Chair elected: Brianna Bloom Scapera (term July 2026–June 2027) — approved by voice vote.
• Vice chair elected: Katie Mayer — approved (Katie recorded an abstention but accepted nomination).
• Meetings format: Hybrids for FY27 — approved by unanimous consent.
• PrideFest 2027: Saturday, June 5, 2027 (rain date June 6) — approved by unanimous consent.
• Scholarship subcommittee: Creation and appointments approved (1 abstention recorded).