Steel City Stonewall Democrats

2009 Questionnaire for Candidates

Please complete this questionnaire and return it to Steel City Stonewall Democrats, SMC 1015, 5032 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15289 as soon as possible, but no later than July 17, 2009 or email your answers to president@steel-city.org.

All candidates seeking the endorsement of Steel City Stonewall Democrats must sign and return this questionnaire.

All Mayoral Candidates seeking our endorsement are encouraged to More information about our organization can be found on our website at www.steel-city.org .

Completed candidate questionnaires will also be posted on our website.

Name of Candidate:	Franco Dok Harris

Office Sought: _________Mayor____________________________________________

Campaign Contact name: Emily Brungo

Phone Number:	412-620-8823	Fax:

Email address: forgeahead@harrisforpittsburgh.com

Please list any receptions, events, parades or other functions that you have attended that were sponsored by an LGBT group or organization: Pridefest, Delta Happy hour at 5801, Ellsworth Avenue Drag Show

Describe your familiarity with Greater Pittsburgh's LGBT Community.

I am familiar with the Pittsburgh area's GLBT community in a number of ways, from supporting GLBT owned, operated, and friendly businesses, attending GLBT organized events

What is your position on hiring LGBT people? Should LGBT people be hired in the public sector?

I am committed to merit based hiring in my campaign and during my administration. People will be hired based on their skill set, their passion for this city, and their commitment to providing excellent service to the people of Pittsburgh. I believe that a culture of respect and acceptance is crucial in forging the best team for this campaign and for this city.

Would you hire an openly LGBT person on your staff?

_x__ Yes ____ No ____ No comment / no answer

The Federal Government, the State nor the County Government have laws that offer protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in employment, housing or public accommodations. Would you support legislation against such discrimination?

__x__ Yes ____ No Please explain: Discrimination in any form is violence. 60 years ago we watched as discrimination based on race in terms of housing, employment, and public accommodations was legal and often times lauded in certain areas of this country. Through the blood and sweat of committed individuals we were able to move past that, yet those who retain the desire to hate remain, and continue to find ways to discriminate against minority populations in this country. Discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation is part of that legacy of hate, and shows how much further we have to go. I fully support anti-discrimination legislation.

Many conservative groups believe that this issue should not be legislated, but should remain a matter for the private sphere to resolve on their own. I disagree - where law has created disparate treatments of people, the law must then work to solve that discrepancy. Equal protection under our laws means equal protection no matter who you are.

Please discuss your views on amending the law to include such protections on real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and gender expression.

It's a testament to how our legal system works that we must expand out equal protection and anti-discrimination laws in a piecemeal fashion. Rights which should be universal are expanded bit by bit - to racial minorities, to women, to people of different national origin, etc. That we still have yet to expand them out to protect all manners of sexual orientation is absurd - the process should have been complete years ago. As mayor of Pittsburgh, I will guarantee that we will not practice discrimination in employment, and furthermore will create an atmosphere of respect within city government.

LGBT citizens are also discriminated against by the government. "Don't Ask Don't Tell" not only stops LGBT citizens from serving openly in the military, it also encourages anti-gay harassment in stopping victims from reporting harassment by labeling it as "telling" under the policy. Would you vote to end “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy”?

I believe that we need to legislate anti-discrimination policies on a Federal level that cover all aspects of the Federal government. We cannot tolerate discrimination in any form within our armed services. On the mayoral level, I will enforce anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies within our public services and focus on creating an atmosphere of respect.

In addition, Hospitals often refuse to discuss end-of-life issues with same-sex partners and GLBT senior citizens are often discriminated against by health providers who fail to recognize their relationships. Would you support government regulations that would stop this discrimination?

I find this to be not only heartless but against the basic tenant of medicine itself - "Do No Harm." Hospitals that fail to recognize a choice of partnership are committing harm directly to those that are most in need of compassion. End-of-life decisions are such an incredibly painful part of life that denying the counsel and comfort of a patient's partner in the decision making process is inhumane. I fully support government regulations that allow a patient to designate a state-recognized partner in such situations, and that partner should be recognized with the same rights as a spouse.

Victims of same-sex domestic violence face a fear that police and emergency responders will not respond appropriately when the couple is the same sex and LGBT people face discrimination by emergency services personnel. For example, preoperative transgender people may be afraid to call emergency services for fear of being ridiculed. If elected, what would you do to help eliminate this problem?

I am committed to creating an atmosphere of respect in City government, and will see to it that the atmosphere permeates our entire civil organization. I will not tolerate ridicule, abuse, nor discrimination from city employees, and will communicate that, from day 1, those found violating that standard will be held accountable by me.

Do you support domestic partner benefits for government and governmental agency employees?

__x__ Yes ____ No ____ No comment / no answer

Discuss your thoughts on marriage equality for same-sex couples; while the position you seek may not directly affect this issue, it is important for us to understand your perspective.

I believe that in the eyes of the state that every partnership between two consenting adults should have equal rights and full protection of the law. I will fight to guarantee those rights and that protection while in office.

Over the past decade, government money has been used to promote “abstinence-only-until-marriage” programs in schools. Even though same-sex couples still cannot legally marry in Pennsylvania, to qualify for government support, schools must teach that any sexual relationships outside of marriage is “likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects.” Do you support or oppose abstinence-only-until-marriage curricula?

____ Support __x__ Oppose ____ No comment / no answer

I feel that abstinence-only educational policies are a disservice to our children and our communities. The teaching of marriage-centered, hetero-normative curricula is greatly exclusionary at a period in most children's lives when inclusion must be taught - not just in terms of sexual identity, but in the myriad other aspects of a child's identity which may make them the target of social stigma. This includes physical and mental challenges, inability to play sports, bookishness, national origin and race, obesity, and every other trait that has been used to bully and stigmatize kids. Education is the bedrock of our next generation; it has to face real world issues with real world answers, not politics-driven myopia.

Discuss your thoughts on government's role in shaping school curricula for sex education, including comprehensive education that advocates for safe sex and the use of condoms and birth control.

The Mayor's office has little direct control over shaping curricula in our schools, but it does provide the opportunity to help raise public awareness and support for curriculum choices. I advocate real-world education that teaches how to deal with real life situations. That means teaching students of the appropriate age about safe sex, birth control, STI's, and the seriousness of the decision that they are making if they decide to become sexually active. The duty of the schools is to serve their students and give them the most information so that the students may make educated decisions in their life.

Do you have any thoughts on the formation of gay-straight student alliances within the public school systems?

I'm in favor of allowing students to form their own groups in a free and unencumbered manner, and would support the formation student groups that advocate gay-straight interactions, activities, sports and games, and any other manner of encouraging students to interact.

Please discuss your views on protection from real, or perceived, discrimination in the schools and in school extra-curricula activities regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and gender identification, including bullying.

As I stated above, bullying is a violent problem in our schools that transcends sexual orientation and gender identity. Bullying and the creation of social stigma is an issue that schools have faced for years, often unsuccessfully, as the insecurity of being a child and a teenager often turns into the desire to cause anguish in others. While the mayor's office doesn't have any control over how the schools enforce anti-bullying policy, I will push for the culture of respect I create within city government to be the standard to which our other organizations are held, and work to building public support towards that end.

Do you support needle exchange as a way of reducing new HIV infections in IV drug users?

_x___ Support ____ Oppose ____ No comment / no answer

If elected, what would you do about this issue?

I support realistic solutions like needle exchanges. We will work with existing NFP and health care organizations to provide clean needles in an effort to not only combat HIV but also Hepatitis and other blood-borne infections

Do you support inclusion of LGBT people within the official Democratic Party structure, including official representation on the county, state and national levels?

__x__ Support ____ Oppose ____ No comment / no answer

I am, however, not part of the Democratic Party structure just to clarify.

If elected, what would you do about this issue?

There is not much direct action I could take when elected to improve inclusion within the official structure of either party, but I do hope to lead towards creating more inclusive atmospheres by practicing inclusion within my own administration.

Have you ever supported an openly LGBT person running for public office? Do you believe a person's sexuality or gender identity and expression should stop them from running for public office?

I supported Hugh McGough for judge, but under Pennsylvania's archaic voting system was unable to vote for him since I am a non-party affiliated voter and could not vote in the primary.

If elected, what outreach would you do to the LGBT business community to encourage their participation in community planning and economic development?

I believe that economic revitalization is best created by empowering entrepreneurs and providing them with the resources to succeed. This includes creating an atmosphere of "YES" on Grant Street, where we will actively help businesses meet code, receive the permits they need, and create jobs, all without playing politics. This city has a significant number of GLBT owned and operated businesses that serve as examples of entrepreneurial success. I look forward to reaching out to these business leaders and others from across our diverse city to help maintain our city's spirit of entrepreneurship and continue our economic development.

Currently, both locally and statewide, GLBT citizens are underrepresented on Boards and Commissions. Would you advocate on behalf of qualified GLBT citizens who are interested in appointments?

I am an advocate of putting qualified individuals on boards, commissions and authorities, and look toward doing it without the political games that have plagued the process for years. This commitment includes supporting qualified GLBT candidates to such positions.

What are your views on the rights of LGBT people to competently and professionally delivered governmental and government-fund services and the need for culturally competent training for government employees? For example, requiring drug and alcohol agencies to not discriminate against LGBT clients?

GLBT people have the same rights as all Pittsburghers and will receive the same treatment in a professional and respectful manner. As I've stated, I will forge a culture of respect within City government, and will require professionalism in all aspects of city services.

Another divisive issue confronting our country is the issue of abortion. Please discuss your position on abortion and any thoughts you have on the current abortion debate.

While I hope that I never have to weigh in on this issue on a personal level, I am pro-choice, and feel that the state has no right to try and impede a women's right to choose. It's a personal question that the woman and her partner must make themselves in accordance with their personal, religious, and philosophical beliefs.

That said, I will act to protect women who are seeking abortions from violence and intimidation. I will not tolerate those individuals who seek to attack women in what may be the most vulnerable moment of their lives.

What other endorsements have you received? Are you supported by any unions?

We have not yet received any other endorsements.

If you are endorsed by Steel City Stonewall Democrats, will you display it on your campaign literature, when possible and appropriate?

__x__ Yes ____ No ____ No comment / no answer

If you answered no, why not?

As a candidate, some of the issues raised in this questionnaire may be new to you. If elected, would you be willing to work with Steel City Stonewall Democrats and other representatives of the LGBT community to create a better understanding of the needs and issues confronting us?

___x_ Yes ____ No ____ No comment / no answer

Are there particular areas of concern that you have that we have not addressed?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This was a thorough questionnaire, and I thank you for the opportunity to share my beliefs. If you have any additional questions please let me know.

Signature of candidate and date signed:

06/25/09