Sandy Allen responds to GLAA questionnaire

Responses of Sandy Allen to GLAA 2000 Questionnaire
for DC Council Candidates

GLAA 2000 Rating for Sandy Allen (Possible range: +/- 10 points total)
Yes/No Substance Record Championship Total
2 2 1.5 0 5.5

PUBLIC SAFETY

1. Will you vote for a budget for the new Citizen Complaint Review Board and the Office of Citizen Complaint Review large enough to prevent the development of a case backlog?

Yes, I will vote for a budget for the new Citizen Complaint Review Board and the Office of Citizen Complaint Review large enough to prevent the development of a case backlog. As you may already know, even prior to my election to the Council of the District of Columbia I advocated for the original Civilian Complaint Review Board not to be abolished.

I believe that the Citizens Complaint Review Board should be fully funded and will continue to work towards that goal. I am always in favor of providing District government entities with not only the funding but also the staffing that is necessary to operate at an effective level. The protection of citizens civil rights is very important to me, especially in cases of police misconduct. I will be more than willing to aid GLAA to push this issue in the FY 2002 budget.

2. Will you support legislation that will reverse the Council's recent enactment of a ban on moonlighting by members of the Metropolitan Police Department at bars and sexually oriented establishments?

I have always been in favor of moonlighting by members of the MPD, provided that we can insure that they are upholding the laws of the District of Columbia while off duty. I would support the amendment of this legislation.

3. Will you support amending recently enacted Sexual Offenders Registration Act, "Megan's Law," so that those who can prove to the court that they no longer constitute a danger to the community will not be required to register as a sex offender?

I would be willing to support legislation to amend the recently enacted Sexual Offenders Registration Act to provide for an appeals process. This appeals process would give people the opportunity to prove that they are no longer a danger to the community. In addition, having had the Massachusetts Law, which was the model for our District legislation, overturned as being unconstitutional also provides the impetus for a review of our legislation.

4. Will you support the full funding and full staffing of the Metropolitan Police Department's newly created Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit (GLLU) as currently proposed?

Yes. Again, I am always in favor of providing District agencies and offices with not only the staff but also the funds that afford them the opportunity to effectively accomplish their mandates. The adequate care of our residents civil rights is very significant to me, expressly in cases where the police department is concerned.

5. Will you demand mandatory gay male, lesbian, bisexual and transgender sensitivity and diversity training including gay and transgender community representative as a continuing part of the training for all members of the Metropolitan Police Department and the Fire/EMS Department?

Yes, I support mandatory gay male, lesbian, bisexual and transgender sensitivity and diversity training, especially in light of the recent incidents in the media regarding the refusal of treatment to a transgender individual by EMS.

PUBLIC HEALTH & HIV

6. Last year, a unique identifier system for tracking the spread of HIV was approved by the Council and Mayor, rather than a names reporting system that would deter some people from being tested in the first place. Will you insist that unique identifier system be implemented without delay and fairly evaluated?

I have always opposed utilization of the HIV/AIDS names reporting system within the District of Columbia. I was out front from the beginning in the fight to require a unique identifier system of HIV/AIDS testing. I will continue to perform my oversight responsibilities as the Chairperson of the Human Services Committee to ceaselessly monitor AHA to ensure unique identifier system requirements are being implemented.

7. Will you oppose Bill 13-240 which would make possession and distribution of marijuana for medical purposes a felony?

Yes, I will continue to oppose any legislation making the possession and distribution of marijuana for medical purposes a felony.

8. Will you support the use of District taxpayer funds to implement a needle exchange program?

I will continue to support the use of District funds to implement a needle exchange program. In spite of the fact that Congress has, to date, banned the use of any District funds for needle exchange programs I am in favor of any viable method to decrease the spread of HIV/AIDS.

9. The Administration for HIV/AIDS (AHA) is still unable to account for its spending. Will you ask the Inspector General to audit AHA contracting.

I was not aware of any misappropriation or spending irregularities within AHA. However, I will investigate the matter as part of my oversight responsibilities as the Chairperson of the Human Services Committee. Regardless of the results of my investigation, the Human Services Committee will continually monitor AHA to ensure that it is operating in a fiscally sound manner and that the District of Columbia, Federal and other funds which it receives are not subject to fraud, waste or mismanagement. If irregularities are found, I will most certainly refer the matter to the Office of the Inspector General.

10. Will you support earmarking funds to combat mental health problems and homelessness among sexual minority youth?

Even prior to my election to the Council of the District of Columbia I advocated for providing increased services to our youth. As chair of the Human Services Committee my mandate to oversee the provision of these services has been paramount. My record shows that I am a dedicated child welfare advocate. Thus, I would be willing to support earmarking funds to combat the challenge encountered by our sexual minority youth.

HUMAN RIGHTS

11. Will you support a temporary increase in the annual budget for the Office of Human Rights (OHR) over the next several years until its persistent 700-case backlog has been eliminated?

Yes. I have always supported and will continue to support funding to reduce the backlog of cases at the Office of Human Rights. If a temporary increase in the budget for the Office of Human Rights is necessary to eliminate the case backlog, then I am in full support. I hold the work of this office in high regards.

12. Will you support legislation that will codify OHR's former practice of giving top priority to discrimination complaints filed by people with AIDS or other major life- threatening diseases?

Yes, I have always been in favor of giving top priority to discrimination complaints filed by people with AIDS or other major life-threatening diseases. If the legislation would pass legal muster, then I would support it.

13. DC's rate of HIV infections among teenagers is significantly higher than the national average. Will you support legislation to increase HIV prevention efforts targeted towards sexual minority youth?

Not only will I continue to support almost any measure or other avenue which targets prevention efforts to those who are disproportionately impacted by exposure to the HIV virus. Again, even prior to my election to the Council of the District of Columbia I advocated for providing increased services to our youth. As chair of the Human Services Committee my mandate to oversee the provision of these services has been paramount. My record shows that I am a dedicated child welfare advocate. Thus, I would be willing to support both legislative and administrative actions to combat the challenges encountered by our sexual minority youth.

DEFENDING OUR FAMILIES

14. Will you support legal recognition of marriages between partners of the same sex?

Yes, I was a supporter of the Districts Domestic Partnership Legislation. I plan to continue to act along with other Councilmembers to push legislation that will recognize civil unions between partners. In addition, I have always agreed with legal recognition of marriages between partners of the same sex.

15. Will you agree that the District should recognize the same-sex civil unions established in Vermont or other jurisdictions?

Yes, I agree that the District should recognize the same-sex civil unions established in Vermont or other jurisdictions. Because of the changing economics within the District as it relates to attraction and retention of new residents, we can't afford not to recognize same-sex civil unions from other jurisdictions.

16. Will you support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil unions law?

Yes, I plan to continue to support legislation that will recognize marriages between partners. In addition, I have always agreed with legal acceptance of unions between partners of the same sex.

17. Will you support the well-established decision by D.C. Courts, which recognize the right of unmarried couples to adopt children jointly?

Yes, my personal and professional philosophy on matters of this nature has always been to promote actions "in the best interest of the children" who would be the beneficiaries of these adoptions.

YOUTH AND PUBLIC EDUCATION

18. Will you support legislation prohibiting harassment of students in the District schools (both public and charter) on the basis of any of the protected categories enumerated in the D.C. Human Rights Law?

Yes. School is a place of learning, not a place to be harassed. I would support legislation or other administrative remedies prohibiting any such conduct in schools.

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