Vote YES for
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
YES ON 4

Reasons to Vote YES on Charter Question #4

1. Give māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ residents a formal voice in City government.
   The Commission would create a permanent mechanism for māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ residents and community organizations to bring their concerns and recommendations directly to the Mayor, City Council, and City agencies.

2. Ensure māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ issues are considered across City government.
   Issues affecting māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ people can involve housing, homelessness, public safety, healthcare, transportation, employment, aging, youth services, and other City responsibilities. A dedicated commission can help ensure these issues aren't overlooked.

3. Bring community expertise to policymaking.
   Commissioners with lived experience and subject-matter expertise can help City officials understand how proposed policies and programs may affect māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ residents.

4. Create an independent advisory voice.
   The Commission would advise City leadership rather than replace elected officials. Its role would be to research, identify community needs, make recommendations, and provide another source of information for decision-makers.

5. Improve coordination among City agencies.
   A City & County LGBTQIA+ Commission could help identify gaps and encourage coordination among departments and agencies when issues cross multiple areas of City government.

6. Strengthen accountability and public engagement.
   A formal commission provides a structured avenue for community members to raise concerns, participate in discussions, and offer recommendations on policies and programs.

7. Recognize the diversity within the māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ community.
   Māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ residents are not one homogeneous group. A nine-member commission can bring together different experiences, generations, identities, professions, and geographic communities.

8. Give the City a long-term resource on māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ issues.
   A charter-established commission would create an ongoing civic institution rather than relying on individual administrations or elected officials to determine whether māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ issues receive attention.

9. Help identify policies that promote equal opportunity.
   The proposed commission would specifically be empowered to recommend policies, programs, and legislation promoting social, economic, and political equality.

10. Build on Honolulu's existing model of citizen commissions.
    Honolulu already uses commissions to provide specialized community expertise and advice to City government. For example, the City's Youth Commission advises the Mayor and Council concerning policies, needs, programs, priorities, and budgets affecting children and youth. 

11. Provide a direct connection between community needs and City decision-makers.
    Instead of residents having to navigate multiple departments independently, the Commission could help identify recurring concerns and bring them forward in a coordinated manner.

12. Make māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ inclusion part of the City's permanent civic structure.
    Establishing the Commission through the City Charter would signal that the concerns and contributions of māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ residents are an enduring part of Honolulu's civic life.