Responses of Adrian Fenty to GLAA 2000 Questionnaire
for DC Council Candidates
| Yes/No | Substance | Record | Championship | Total |
| 1 | -1 | .5 | 0 | 0.5 |
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. No agency - or board - should be under funded to the point that it cannot fulfill its mission. The function of the Board is critical to civility in the District and must be adequately funded.
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?
No. Our police should not be working for establishments - i.e. ABC licensees - for which they have regulatory responsibility. Few jurisdictions in the US permit moonlighting by their police - no second jobs allowed - because officers are officially on duty 24 hours a day. In the District, police officers are among the few allowed to carry guns. With this responsibility, they should be as rested and command-ready as possible.
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?
While I am sensitive to the potential that Megan's Law may unfairly target certain members of our community, I am forced to weigh this consideration against the protection of our vulnerable children. Thus, at this point I cannot support such an amendment.
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. Absolutely.
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?
I believe that including community representatives in police training has worked well in the past. I support the continued inclusion of community representatives.
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?
Yes. The spread of HIV must be contained in the District and we must take every step necessary to help people determine if they are infected and to take steps needed to control the spread of HIV.
7. Will you oppose Bill 13-240 which would make possession and distribution of marijuana for medical purposes a felony?
Yes.
8. Will you support the use of District taxpayer funds to implement a needle exchange program?
Yes.
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.
Of course.
10. Will you support earmarking funds to combat mental health problems and homelessness among sexual minority youth?
I will support targeting our mental health treatment efforts towards groups that have the greatest incidences of mental health and homeless problems.
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. Again, our agencies should be adequately funded to achieve their function and mission. The Mayor is obligated to inform the Council of the budgetary needs of the Office. Further, personnel from the Office should ensure that the Council is aware of its funding needs.
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.
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?
I will support targeting our HIV prevention efforts towards groups that have the greatest incidences of HIV infection.
DEFENDING OUR FAMILIES
14. Will you support legal recognition of marriages between partners of the same sex?
Yes.
15. Will you agree that the District should recognize the same-sex civil unions established in Vermont or other jurisdictions?
Yes. I believe the District should establish civil unions and domestic partnership laws for all couples desiring recognition of the state of a specific union.
16. Will you support legislation in the District similar to Vermont's civil unions law?
Yes. I believe the District should establish civil unions and domestic partnerships laws for all couples desiring recognition of the state of a specific union.
17. Will you support the well-established decision by D.C. Courts, which recognize the right of unmarried couples to adopt children jointly?
Of course. The District has too many uncared-for children, while at the same-time having many same-sex couples with the desire and capacity to give the love of a family to these children. I support the Mayor's adoption initiative whole-heartedly.
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. The DC Public Schools and Public Charter Schools must conform to the D.C. Human Rights Law. If this is not mandated at present, I will ensure that it becomes so.