Why Should Delaware Care?
The Delaware LGBTQ+ Commission advises the governor and legislature on policy changes and emerging issues concerning the community. Previously, the commission faced scrutiny over a lack of diversity and what some saw as a lack of advocacy experience. In March, Gov. Matt Meyer appointed five new members to the body to fill that gap.
Delaware’s LGBTQ+ Commission officially welcomed five new members during its monthly meeting on Tuesday — a long-awaited move aimed at addressing what advocates have called a diversity gap within the body.
Gov. Matt Meyer announced the addition of the six new members in March, about nine months after the newly appointed commission faced scrutiny from community members who criticized a lack of diversity and advocacy experience among its members.
“Now more than ever, it is vital that our government institutions reflect and promote the diverse experiences and perspectives of the constituents we serve,” Gov. Meyer said in a statement announcing the new members on March 26.
Meyer previously made nominations to the commission about a year ago — around the time that federal policies impacting the LGBTQ community began to limit of access to gender-affirming care, to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and to cut funding for HIV prevention programs.
“The clock is ticking. We need to be serious, we need to be aggressive, and we need to be ready.” Stephan Browne-Blackman, one of the new commissioners, told Spotlight Delaware.
The commission was first formally created in early 2025, when then-Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, who served a two-week stint as governor, signed an executive order creating the body.
The order directed the commission to advise the governor and the General Assembly on the ways in which state policy could affect the challenges and needs of LGBTQ+ people.
Before she left office, Hall-Long appointed four of the current commissioners. Gov. Matt Meyer then appointed the remaining five members last June to complete the original nine-member commission.
Shortly after the appointments, some LGBTQ+ advocates raised concerns about the makeup of the group. The roll out of the commission also resurfaced tensions between Meyer and Hall-Long over gubernatorial appointments.
Asked about the group’s policy work since then, Cora Castle, chair of the commission, pointed to a letter the commission sent to the General Assembly opposing Senate Bill 215, which would require student athletes to play on sports teams associated with their gender determined at birth.
Vienna Cavazos, vice chair of the commission, noted that the group spent its early months building its structure and operations — a process that they said took time. They also said the commission began turning to substantive policy issues in late fall.
“We had to build from scratch. There wasn’t a specific format that was given to us. So a lot of our early months were spent sort of setting up how we function,” they said.
Most of the commission’s work happens within its subcommittees, which include health and human services; youth and education; justice, labor, and housing; intersectionality; outreach; and the executive subcommittee.
Cavazos told Spotlight Delaware that many of the subcommittees have been receiving testimony from various community organizations about issues. such as protections for transgender youth and inmates, LGBTQ+ homelessness, and gender-affirming and mental health care access.
Castle stressed that the commission has focused heavily on gender-affirming care, after options for youth in Delaware became limited. She said the commission is looking at ways to improve access and identify potential funding sources.
“Aligning all of these things is extremely complicated, but we do think that we have some ideas,” Castle said.
The commission’s executive committee is set to meet within the next 30 days to begin drafting its first budget, which contains $20,000 in state funding, and start work on its annual report.
The new members
The commission’s newest members come from backgrounds in public health, education, advocacy, and community organizing.
Stephan Browne-Blackman, the second youngest commissioner at 24 years old, works on the communications team for Delaware’s House of Representatives. He previously graduated from Delaware State University, where he was involved in organizing and advocacy within the Black community.
Trisha Danah, a Deaf and queer advocate, serves as the state’s programs coordinator for individuals who are Deaf or hearing impaired at the Delaware Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She previously held administrative roles at schools serving students who are deaf or visually impaired in other states.
Sequoia Rent is chief of the Bureau of Health Equity and deputy health equity officer for the Delaware Division of Public Health. She previously served as president of Kent Kids Coalition, a coalition of organizations focused on improving community health in Kent County and nearby areas.
Kaelea Shaner is a law student at Temple University. She previously served as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the Delaware Courts.
Dr. Keonna Watson is a mental health therapist and founder of the FreeLee Integrated Health Wealth, who has been advocating for queer rights in the state since 2005.
Zach Workman is president and CEO of Delaware Pride Inc and has been in that role since 2023. He also currently works for Inspire Health, according to his LinkedIn.
