Council unanimously approved the creation of the the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Quality of Life Advisory Commission on Thursday.

Austin City Council unanimously approved the establishment of a Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer Quality of Life Advisory Commission on Thursday.The commission was initially discussed in January when council directed the city manager to begin a process for its formation. It was the first resolution to be sponsored by freshman District 6 Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, Austin’s first openly gay male council member.Of the 15 members in the commission, council will nominate 11 members. The commission will nominate the remaining four members, all of whom will serve four-year terms.Membership standards for the commission stress diversity in a range of areas, from race and ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation and age, to socioeconomic status, disability, geographic location, immigrant status and length of residency in the city.The group will serve as advisors to council on issues regarding the LGBTQ community and work to enhance government accountability on its behalf. The commission will look to provide educational opportunities to promote equal treatment of, opportunity for and understanding of the community.