There seems to be a stubborn belief that some people are more equal than others. The recent Supreme Court decision about wedding cakes reminded me of one of the first questionnaires I completed as a first-time candidate, just a few months ago. It was presented to me by a local man who wanted to share it with the wider LGBTQ community in District 12, where I’m running for Florida State Senate. I thought I’d share a portion of that here in case anyone wonders where I stand.
1. What are your thoughts about enacting a statewide law that prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ people in Florida?
It’s all in the Constitution and etched above the Supreme Court: ‘Equal Justice Under the Law’. That means equal for everyone – gay and straight, black and white, men and women. Discrimination against anyone doesn’t cut it with me. If people are searching for legal loopholes to validate their prejudices, then I’d be willing to strengthen those laws.
2. Hate crimes based on sexual orientation currently account for 22 percent of all hate crimes in Florida, second only to race-based hate crimes. Will you commit to working with law enforcement and prosecutors to ensure they treat hate crime victims with dignity while investigating and prosecuting their attackers?
Absolutely. Police and prosecutors have a lot on their plates, and they need all the help they can get. Look – we’re all in this together. We need to look out for each other, treat others with respect. The Golden Rule (‘Do Unto Others’) is a maxim that’s been around for a few thousand years. You can’t get much better than that.
3. Gay-Straight Alliances have been in the news over the last few years. Several high schools in Lake County organized these clubs. A controversy then erupted over allowing GSA’s in middle schools. That was ultimately resolved in favor of the clubs when a federal appeals court in Atlanta ruled that the school district can no longer block the formation of such extracurricular clubs in middle school. Now opponents are seeking to require students to get parental permission to participate. How do you feel about that?
It has to be equitable. If they need a permission slip to participate in the yearbook staff, ecology club, ROTC, sports, or any other extracurricular activity, then the rules are established and they should adhere to it. But if GSAs are singled out as the only club that kids are required to seek parental permission, then I don’t see the fairness or sense in that. Students deal with a lot of issues – more than adults, sometimes -- and it’s important we don’t add to their burden by singling out LGBTQ students and making them feel as if they’re weird or odd or damaged as they try to understand who they are.
4. Do you see yourself working to advance transgender rights and protections?
I think you can see from my past history and my core beliefs that everyone deserves equal protection and equal opportunities. I can’t imagine not helping out folks who are transgender. Nor can I imagine not helping people of different ages, races, religions, and political parties. Again, we’re all in this together and everyone – underscore, everyone– needs to be treated with respect.
5. In what ways would you make a better Senator than the incumbent?
First, see the answers above. Second, look at the Issues page on my website (www.gary2018.com). Then read some of my books and articles about my travels across Florida and America, and you’ll see my concept of democracy is on every page. I am a citizen, not a career politician. My opponent served 13 years in the Florida House before becoming a Senator in 2016. That’s 15 years as a politician. Take a glance at my opponent’s campaign contributions (online at Florida Division of Elections) and you’ll see his 2016 funds as well as this race is heavily financed by special interests. I am counting on grassroots support from people like you to help me with the costs to get elected. My loyalty will be to every man, woman and child in the district, and not special interests.
6. Your opponent, Sen. Dennis Baxley, a self-described Christian conservative, has proposed a bill that he says will protect the religious expression rights of public school students, parents, faculty and staff. Among other things, the bill states that a school district may not prevent school personnel from participating in religious activities on school grounds. Are you familiar with this bill? What is your opinion on it?
Ask yourself: Is this a real issue? Is this an issue that is truly a high priority for the people in District 12? For parents who work two, maybe three, jobs and hope each month they can pay their power bill? For the senior citizen who has to decide whether they can afford groceries or a visit to the doctor? My opponent’s logic may tell him it’s a heartfelt position, but as a career politician you have to wonder if he sees these and other targeted issues as a way to stir up his base. On top of that, a school is a school, and a church is a church. Would he feel the same if Muslim students demanded time for noon prayers? And if you took this to its extreme is he open to let student practitioners of Santeria hold drumming circles and conduct animal sacrifices? If he wants to open a Pandora’s box related to religious freedom in public schools, I’m sure there will be a waiting list of lawyers ready to challenge that and a roster of students ready to introduce world religions to the mix.
It all gets back to this: I have neither the time nor the inclination to divide citizens or pit one faction against another. I am running to do the most good for the most people and I’ll do that by advancing senior services, bringing better jobs to the district, supporting teachers entrusted with public education, and holding our leaders accountable.
(NOTE: I won’t win this race without an abundance of moral and/or monetary support. Whichever you can share on social media or via a secure ActBlue donation would be appreciated.)
