| 1. |
Do you oppose amending the Massachusetts
Constitution to exclude gays and lesbians from the right to
marry? |
| |
No. I oppose discrimination against any member of the GLBT
community whether by legislation, popular vote, Constitutional
Amendment, or any other means. |
| 2. |
Do you support gay marriage? |
| |
Yes. I unequivocally support the right to same-sex marriage. |
| 3. |
Do you support a woman's right to choose? |
| |
Yes. I am unequivocally pro-choice and oppose all restrictions
on the legal right to an abortion. |
|
4.
|
On the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention,
what are your views on needle exchange programs and sex education/condom
distribution programs? |
| |
I have always and will continue to fully support free needle
exchange programs and also support the Syringe Access legislation
currently pending at the State House. As School Committee President,
I was a strong advocate for comprehensive sex education programs
and condom distribution in the public schools. When re-elected,
I will continue to be a leader on all issues of HIV/AIDS prevention. |
| 5. |
What volunteer community work have you
done? |
| |
For more than 30 years, I have worked to promote peace and
justice on a local and global level. Locally, I have sought
to curtail domestic violence, gang violence, and hate crimes
and was a vocal advocate against the War in Iraq. Working globally
for peace, I have traveled to Nicaragua with Witness for Peace
and to El Salvador with Sister Cities Program. Prior to joining
the City Council, I was Director of Advocacy at the Hispanic
Office of Planning and Evaluation. In addition, I have worked
with or served on the boards of many community organizations,
including the Office for Children, the Egleston Square Neighborhood
Association, Sociedad Latina, Freedom House, the Kennedy Volunteer
Corps, the American Friends Service Committee, the American
Red Cross, and Casa Myrna Vasquez |
| 6. |
What do you propose to make Boston Public
Schools safe, comfortable environments for gay and lesbian students
and for the children of gay and lesbian-headed households? |
| |
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered citizens in Massachusetts
have been consistently denied basic equality and fairness, domestic
partnership benefits, and even the right to marry. As an elected
official representing all the residents of Boston, I unequivocally
support maintaining legal gay marriage and offering full domestic
partnership benefits, and expansion of GLBT peer programs in
public schools. When re-elected, I will continue to be a strong
advocate for the GLBT community at every opportunity and to
work with organizations like DotOUT on whatever is need to ensure
safe, comfortable environment for everyone.
|
| |
John Connolly
|
| 1. |
Do you oppose amending the Massachusetts
Constitution to exclude gays and lesbians from the right to
marry? |
| |
YES |
| 2. |
Do you support gay marriage? |
| |
YES |
| 3. |
Do you support a woman's right to choose? |
| |
YES |
|
4.
|
On the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention,
what are your views on needle exchange programs and sex education/condom
distribution programs? |
| |
I support all programs geared towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS
and I firmly believe that education of our youth is our strongest
combatant against spread of these diseases. |
| 5. |
What volunteer community work have you
done? |
| |
As an attorney, I have provided pro-bono legal assistance
to the PrideLights Foundation, a South End based not-for-profit
that fights discrimination against Boston's LGBT community.
I have also done extensive legal work with Action for Boston
Community Development (ABCD), Boston's largest social service
provider. |
| 6. |
What do you propose to make Boston Public
Schools safe, comfortable environments for gay and lesbian students
and for the children of gay and lesbian-headed households? |
| |
We must guarantee a student's safety in the Boston Public
Schools. We must establish an atmosphere of recognition, respect
and a forum for open dialogue among students, faculty and administrators
so that LGBT students and children of gay and lesbian-headed
households feel safe and comfortable in our school system. Faculty,
administrative and peer support groups would be a good first
step in providing an in-house network to gay and lesbian students
and children of gay and lesbian-headed households. These groups
could also serve as a vehicle for education in order to create
LGBT/Straight student alliances. |
| |
|
| |
Michael Cote
|
| 1. |
Do you oppose amending the Massachusetts
Constitution to exclude gays and lesbians from the right to
marry? |
| |
I strongly oppose amending the Massachusetts Constitution.
We are at this stage in the debate over marriage precisely because
all of the arguments against allowing gay and lesbian couples
to marry, build families, have children and be full participating
members of the community fail to hold up under any level of
scrutiny. I am thankful to the wisdom of the framers of our
State Constitution that made the process difficult so that the
Constitution would not be changed with ever whim of political
opinion. |
| 2. |
Do you support gay marriage? |
| |
I do. When I was with the Boston Gay Men's Chorus, I had the
opportunity to sing at several civil ceremonies of both gay
and lesbian couples. Since marriage became legal, I have attended
a couple marriages of friends of mines from the BGMC who have
renewed their vows under the new law. And someday, I hope to
be able to get married as well. |
| 3. |
Do you support a woman's right to choose? |
| |
Yes. I believe that private decisions between any person and
their doctor including, but not limited to a women's right to
choose, are private and need to be respected as such. I believe
that the fight to recognize a fundamental right of privacy is
being waged on many fronts, including marriage, woman's rights,
patient's rights, minority rights and first amendment rights.
I strongly believe in the principle that the loss of anyone's
rights diminishes everyone's rights. |
|
4.
|
On the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention,
what are your views on needle exchange programs and sex education/condom
distribution programs? |
| |
I support both programs. Having lost many friends to AIDS,
I cannot reconcile the life or death issue of preventing the
disease with the band-aid factor of the needles themselves.
Although I do not believe it is within the scope of the Boston
City Council, I would advocate for the decriminalization of
the drug paraphernalia as the impact of discouraging drug use
is not supported by the statistics. I support both sex education
and condom distribution because the statistical evidences on
both demonstrate that they are effective programs in preventing
both the spread of STD's and the prevention of unwanted pregnancies.
I feel that the "abstinence only" approach has failed on so
many levels, and I would support programs that demonstrate results.
|
| 5. |
What volunteer community work have you
done? |
| |
When I first moved to Boston in 1986, I became a volunteer
for the AIDS Action Committee, working primarily in database
creation and data entry for various projects. In 1988, I joined
the Boston Gay Men's Chorus, where I served as a board member
and treasurer for a 2-year term during my 12-year membership.
During most of the 12 years, I further served as set designer,
costumer and props builder for many of the small group performances.
I have been a trustee and the treasurer of my condo association
since 1995. Locally, in 2000, I became a member of both Clam
Point Civic Association and Fields Corner Civic Association.
In 2003, I became a member and then an interim board member
of Fields Corner Main Street. In 2003, I also helped resurrect
the Freeport Adams Neighborhood Association and have helped
with several cleaning and landscaping projects in Fields Corner,
mostly associated with the Christmas trees at the intersection
of Adams Street and Dorchester Avenue (sponsored by the Fields
Corner CDC). And I became a member of DotOut last fall following
DotOut's Dorchester Day Parade appearance. Politically, I helped
out whenever possible in the Shannon O'Brien for governor race.
I became an associate member of the Ward 16 committee at this
time, and became an elected member in March 2004. My primary
political involvement came with the Andrea Cabral for Sheriff
race in 2004, where I helped with computer processing and data
entry, as well as lawn sign building and installation. I followed
this with volunteering on Stacey Monahan's race in 2004/2005
for the 12th Suffolk as the absentee voter and new registered
voter coordinator. Before declaring, I was actively involved
with the current campaign for Matt O'Malley. |
| 6. |
What do you propose to make Boston Public
Schools safe, comfortable environments for gay and lesbian students
and for the children of gay and lesbian-headed households? |
| |
I would advocate for expanded funding for the Safe School
Initiative. This program appeared to be making strides in 2001/2002,
but I can find no more recent articles on the program. As such,
it is unclear to me where this program stands. I would press
for greater involvement of existing groups, such as SpeakOut,
to be invited to classrooms and be involved in both teacher
related and parent/teacher related activities. I would stand
firm of supporting issues such as sex education and condom distribution
programs, as these often become targets by homophobic groups
who use their rants against these program to spew their vitriolic
attacks on the LGBT community. I would support the enforcement
of school measures that would recognize homophobic attacks (both
directly and indirectly) as being on the same level as attacks
based on race, gender or religion. I would further look into
the effectiveness of various programs in other cities that have
dedicated schools for those students who, by virtue of the actual
or perceived orientation, have become the targets of abuse.
The Harvey Milk School in New York is one such model of a program
worth reviewing. Finally, I look at the examples of elected
members of our community like Jarrett Barrios and Liz Malia
and the impact that they have had on so many levels by being
in the public sector and open about who they are. As someone
whose came out at the start of the AIDS/HIV crisis in the 1980's,
it took me a long time to accept the truth of the following
principle, but I believe that each LGBT person makes a contribution
to changing the community simply by living openly and proudly
and with respect. By continuing to live my life openly and proudly
as a member of the LGBT community, and demonstrating that we
are all full and equal citizens in this city and in this country.
|
| |
Maureen Feeney
|
| 1. |
Do you oppose amending the Massachusetts
Constitution to exclude gays and lesbians from the right to
marry? |
| |
Yes. To enshrine intolerance and bigotry into the Massachusetts
Constitution would be a tragedy of immense proportions, belying
the commonwealth's long history as a place in the forefront
of civil and human rights. |
| 2. |
Do you support gay marriage? |
| |
Yes. I have come to realize that people in loving, committed
relationships are good for our society because personal fulfillment
and the right to love are at the core of our humanness. The
existence of gay marriage does nothing to undermine heterosexual
marriage. In fact, the law's support of all marriage even holds
the possibility of enriching further the lives of those in heterosexual
relationships. |
| 3. |
Do you support a woman's right to choose? |
| |
In order to be forthright, I must state that, after many
years of soul searching, I firmly believe that life begins at
conception. I see any other conclusion as based on speculation
on when life begins, rather than on the certainty of the time
of conception forward. That said, the law allows women the right
to make certain choices. If I respect the law, then I must respect
those who make certain decisions permissible within the law.
|
|
4.
|
On the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention,
what are your views on needle exchange programs and sex education/condom
distribution programs? |
| |
The prevention of HIV/AIDS must be a high public health priority.
Because studies have shown that needle exchange and condom distribution
programs reduce the spread of infection, they, along with sound
sex education, must be part of a comprehensive approach to HIV/AIDS
prevention. |
| 5. |
What volunteer community work have you
done? |
| |
Over the years I have been involved with many volunteer efforts
in my community. Through my work in the Cedar Grove Civic Association,
I established a community blood drive and a supper program at
the Long Island shelter. I also spent many years on the executive
board of CGCA. I have been involved with many programs through
my church, including marriage preparation and eucharistic ministry.
I presently sit on the boards of the Boston Medical Center,
the Marr Girls' and Boys' Club, and Bay Cove Human Services.
|
| 6. |
What do you propose to make Boston Public
Schools safe, comfortable environments for gay and lesbian students
and for the children of gay and lesbian-headed households?
|
| |
The Boston Public Schools must start by requiring all staff
to engage in meaningful cultural diversity training and putting
in place policies and management tools to ensure that staff
understand the necessity of the schools being welcoming to all
who go there. The school department must also develop a mandatory
diversity curriculum for all students, make it clear the schools
operate under a code of mutual respect, and that infractions
of this code will result in discipline. Also, although it would
be difficult, the schools should attempt to involve as many
parents of all students as possible in its training efforts.
|
| |
|
| |
Michael Flaherty
|
| 1. |
Do you oppose amending the Massachusetts
Constitution to exclude gays and lesbians from the right to
marry? |
| |
Yes, I am a very public supporter of Gay marriage and oppose
any legislative initiatives to ban it. |
| 2. |
Do you support gay marriage? |
| |
In my speech before the Human Rights Campaign Fund dinner
in 2003 I firmly proclaimed my position as an advocate for the
rights of same sex couples to marry, and further stated, "I
am blessed to be married to a wonderful and supportive women
and we have 4 beautiful children whom I cherish. And while I
certainly don't claim to have all of the answers on what makes
a great marriage-I do know this much: I don't need the government
to protect my marriage. What I need-what we all need- is for
people to stop trying to divide us and discriminate against
any member of our society simply because of whom the love". |
| 3. |
Do you support a woman's right to choose? |
| |
I am pro-choice and have stated so in many forums across the
City of Boston. |
|
4.
|
On the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention,
what are your views on needle exchange programs and sex education/condom
distribution programs? |
| |
I support and have advocated for needle exchange programs
and school sex education/condom distribution programs. |
| 5. |
What volunteer community work have you
done? |
| |
I have proudly marched in the past 5 Gay Pride Parades and
annually drop into the Annual Street Dance sponsored by GRGRF
(now BGRF). I have annually attended the "Men's Event" and the
"Women's Dinner" to support the Fenway Community Health Center
and have attended the past 5 Human Rights Campaign Fund Dinners.
I also attend the annual kickoff of the Annual AIDS WALK at
the Hatch Shell. Additionally, for my work on behalf of the
community I was honored to receive the Beantown Softball League's
Commissioners Award for my support of the league, which will
bring over $250,000 worth of improvements to Smith Field in
Brighton. I was also instrumental in ensuring that Boston Parks
Department space was made available in South Boston for the
Minuteman Classic Softball Tournament after a storm had damaged
the fields scheduled for the tournament in 2003. |
| 6. |
What do you propose to make Boston Public
Schools safe, comfortable environments for gay and lesbian students
and for the children of gay and lesbian-headed households? |
| |
I am a strong and vocal supporter of the Safe Schools initiative
at the State level, and recently lobbied the Governor, as well
as the House and Senate leadership to ensure a strong and continuous
funding source for this initiative to fund safe schools in Boston.
We should ensure every teacher in the Boston Public Schools
and all teachers in Charter Schools should be properly trained
to handle the issue of deregulatory epithets sometimes thrown
around schools, especially at the Middle and High school level.
It is no more acceptable to thrown around the word "fag" or
"queer" then it would be to use other words that historically
brought hurt and anger to children of minority groups. An enlightened
curriculum should be used in the schools to make teachers aware
of how to handle these situations with firmness and dignity.
And the same level of discipline should be brought to students
who use these words to hurt, as it would be when other words
are used. I would also advocate each school use a discreet method
to form a parents group of same sex couples who have children
in the same school to form an advocacy group within the context
of the Parent Organization for that school. This group could
advise both the Principals and the Teachers on issue their children
are experiencing, or serve as trainers for teachers on same
sex couple issues. |
| |
|
| |
Edward Flynn
|
| |
Mr. Flynn did not answer the questions
specifically, but sent the following statement:
|
| |
I am pro-life, pro-family, pro-poor and strongly opposed of
any form of discrimination and will fight to defend equal rights,
human rights and civil rights for all Americans. |
| 1. |
Do you oppose amending the Massachusetts
Constitution to exclude gays and lesbians from the right to
marry? |
| |
|
| 2. |
Do you support gay marriage? |
| |
|
| 3. |
Do you support a woman's right to choose? |
| |
|
|
4.
|
On the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention,
what are your views on needle exchange programs and sex education/condom
distribution programs? |
| |
|
| 5. |
What volunteer community work have you
done? |
| |
|
| 6. |
What do you propose to make Boston Public
Schools safe, comfortable environments for gay and lesbian students
and for the children of gay and lesbian-headed households? |
| |
|
| |
Stephen Murphy
|
| 1. |
Do you oppose amending the Massachusetts
Constitution to exclude gays and lesbians from the right to
marry? |
| |
Yes |
| 2. |
Do you support gay marriage? |
| |
Yes |
| 3. |
Do you support a woman's right to choose? |
| |
I would uphold Roe v. Wade. |
|
4.
|
On the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention,
what are your views on needle exchange programs and sex education/condom
distribution programs? |
| |
I support needle exchange programs and sex education/condom
distribution programs if they are coupled with educational tools
and/or information on drug, pregnancy and disease prevention. |
| 5. |
What volunteer community work have you
done? |
| |
I have been involved in homeless advocacy work over the years. |
| 6. |
What do you propose to make Boston Public
Schools safe, comfortable environments for gay and lesbian students
and for the children of gay and lesbian-headed households? |
| |
I believe that we need to make certain that schools are safe
for all children. I also believe that the Boston Public Schools
have done a good job thus far to make all parents comfortable
when attending school meetings and/or events. |
| |
|
| |
Matt O'Malley
|
| 1. |
Do you oppose amending the Massachusetts
Constitution to exclude gays and lesbians from the right to
marry? |
| |
Yes. I have always been a strong, consistent, and vocal supporter
of marriage equality. I vehemently oppose any attempts to amend
the constitution to restrict basic human rights. |
| 2. |
Do you support gay marriage? |
| |
Unequivocally. I have long since called for the state to recognize
full marriage rights for same sex couples. |
| 3. |
Do you support a woman's right to choose? |
| |
Absolutely. I am a member of MassNARAL and fully support full
reproductive rights for women. |
|
4.
|
On the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention,
what are your views on needle exchange programs and sex education/condom
distribution programs? |
| |
I support clean needle exchange programs; condom distribution
programs; and increased funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and
research programming. |
| 5. |
What volunteer community work have you
done? |
| |
I served as a volunteer and later a coach for the Jason Robert's
Challengers League - a little league baseball program for mentally
and physically disabled kids. I am the founder of a neighborhood
clean-up and beautification group in my native Roslindale/West
Roxbury. I am an active member of the Boston Children's Hospital
Kids-At-Heart Marathon team: to date, I have raised over $10,000
for pediatric child care. Further, I have spent time volunteering
for a number of progressive causes and campaigns, including
MassEquality's campaign to keep discrimination out of the constitution.
|
| 6. |
What do you propose to make Boston Public
Schools safe, comfortable environments for gay and lesbian students
and for the children of gay and lesbian-headed households? |
| |
While a student at Boston Latin, I was a member of one of
the commonwealth's first Gay/Straight Alliances. I will work
to replicate this supportive, dynamic, and important group throughout
all of our high schools. Moreover, I support a heightened level
of cultural competence in our teacher's professional development.
It is important that we have teachers at all grade levels sensitive
to the rich diversity that encompasses our wonderful city. |
| |
|
| |
R. J. Rucker
|
| 1. |
Do you oppose amending the Massachusetts
Constitution to exclude gays and lesbians from the right to
marry? |
| |
|
| 2. |
Do you support gay marriage? |
| |
|
| 3. |
Do you support a woman's right to choose? |
| |
|
|
4.
|
On the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention,
what are your views on needle exchange programs and sex education/condom
distribution programs? |
| |
|
| 5. |
What volunteer community work have you
done? |
| |
|
| 6. |
What do you propose to make Boston Public
Schools safe, comfortable environments for gay and lesbian students
and for the children of gay and lesbian-headed households? |
| |
|
| |
Patricia White
|
| 1. |
Do you oppose amending the Massachusetts
Constitution to exclude gays and lesbians from the right to
marry? |
| |
Yes |
| 2. |
Do you support gay marriage? |
| |
Yes |
| 3. |
Do you support a woman's right to choose? |
| |
Yes |
|
4.
|
On the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention,
what are your views on needle exchange programs and sex education/condom
distribution programs? |
| |
I believe all of these programs are a necessary part of HIV/AIDS
prevention |
| 5. |
What volunteer community work have you
done? |
| |
Volunteer community work is a very important part of my life.
Over the years I've volunteered at the Greater Boston Food Bank,
served as chair for the Greater Boston Alzheimer's Memory Walk,
volunteered for UNICEF and participated in AIDS Walk Boston. |
| 6. |
What do you propose to make Boston Public
Schools safe, comfortable environments for gay and lesbian students
and for the children of gay and lesbian-headed households? |
| |
We need to create and support gay-straight alliances throughout
the Boston Public Schools so that all of our youth feel supported
and part of safe learning environments. I also believe we need
to do more to educate school communities about sexual orientation
issues, especially in making students aware of homophobia and
other forms of discrimination.
|
| |
Charles Yancey
|
| 1. |
Do you oppose amending the Massachusetts
Constitution to exclude gays and lesbians from the right to
marry? |
| |
|
| 2. |
Do you support gay marriage? |
| |
|
| 3. |
Do you support a woman's right to choose? |
| |
|
|
4.
|
On the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention,
what are your views on needle exchange programs and sex education/condom
distribution programs? |
| |
|
| 5. |
What volunteer community work have you
done? |
| |
|
| 6. |
What do you propose to make Boston Public
Schools safe, comfortable environments for gay and lesbian students
and for the children of gay and lesbian-headed households? |
| |
|
| |
Sam Yoon
|
| 1. |
Do you oppose amending the Massachusetts
Constitution to exclude gays and lesbians from the right to
marry? |
| |
I oppose the effort by some in the state legislature to exclude
gays and lesbians from their right to marry. |
| 2. |
Do you support gay marriage? |
| |
I do support the right individuals to marry who they choose
to make their life with. I know that many of my neighbors, friends,
and colleagues who are gay or lesbian that have entered into
marriage who have provided a stable, productive, and above all
happy home for themselves and their families. |
| 3. |
Do you support a woman's right to choose? |
| |
Yes, I do support a woman's right to choose, and was endorsed
earlier this year by Greater Boston's National Organization
for Women. |
|
4.
|
On the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention,
what are your views on needle exchange programs and sex education/condom
distribution programs? |
| |
I do support needle exchange programs and sex education programs
as a matter of public health. We must combat HIV/AIDS head on,
because it is ravaging communities throughout Boston. I would
like to work with groups such as DotOUT to gain more understanding
about not just needle exhanges, but about promoting education
and treatment for drug users, and also working to promote information
about safe sex for all communities in Boston. |
| 5. |
What volunteer community work have you
done? |
| |
I have worked extensively with my church, Bethany Presbyterian,
on several projects to improve local communities. As well, I
was a founding member of the New Majority, and am on the boards
of VietAid and Fields Corner Main Streets, and have been active
in my community for years. |
| 6. |
What do you propose to make Boston Public
Schools safe, comfortable environments for gay and lesbian students
and for the children of gay and lesbian-headed households? |
| |
I believe the best way to promote a safe environment in our
schools for gay and lesbian students and their families begins
with two fairly basic concepts: education and communication.
Our teachers and administrators should promote an open dialogue
between students to understand everyone's personal ethnicity,
history, gender, and sexual orientation. |
