Responses of Sam Brooks to GLAA 2006 Questionnaire
for DC Council Candidates
| Yes/No | Substance | Record | Championship | Total |
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
Public Safety
1. Will you support funding for mandatory gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) sensitivity and diversity training for all members of the Fire/EMS Department?
Yes. After the recent mistreatment of Kenda Kirby, the issue of Fire/EMS conduct is forefront in this discussion. We must move forward from this incident to ensure that the rights and the interests of the entire GLBT community are addressed and secured. I would support the budgeting of the development and implementation of a program for Fire/EMS staffers to learn how to interact with members of the District’s GLBT community, both in and out of the Department – just as I supported this program for the Metropolitan Police Department two years ago.
2. Will you call on the new Mayor to appoint a new Fire/EMS Department Chief who is committed to rooting out the Department’s deeply entrenched homophobia and transphobia?
Yes. Chief Thompson has shown his lack of commitment to the GLBT community, given the Kirby incident and lack of response or accountability by the Fire/EMS Department. I believe that the new Mayor should appoint not only a new Fire/EMS chief, but we should look at a restructuring of the department to better focus resources on EMS needs.
3. Will you support a budget for the Office of Police Complaints large enough to continue to avoid developing a backlog of cases?
Yes. The Police Complaints Board (PCB) and the Office of Police Complaints (OPC) have done wonders to increase the accountability of the Metropolitan Police Department, and each of these offices is critical to the District. Just as in FY 2005, we must increase the budget and staffing support for OPC in order to adequately respond to a rise in the number of complaints.
4. Will you oppose legislation creating so-called “prostitution-free zones,” which would give the police, who routinely assume that every transgendered person is a prostitute until proven otherwise, virtually unlimited power to harass our transgendered residents?
Yes. I would oppose this legislation because I simply believe that everywhere should be a “prostitution-free zone,” and I am very worried about the possible harassment that might ensue under this legislative change. Additionally, the issue of transgender discrimination can, and should, be addressed specifically during MPD community diversity and sensitivity training, which should continue for its new recruits, lateral transfers, and veteran officirs. I believe that the presence of qualified gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender trainers, and their support by the leaders of the Police Academy, is critical in achieving a better relationship between the MPD and the GLBT community.
AIDS and Public Health
5. Do you agree that the drive to make HIV testing routine among District residents should include funding for counseling and referrals to treatment facilities for those testing positive?
Yes. Following the proposed guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we must ensure that patients are tested for HIV as part of standard tests received when patients go for urgent care, emergency care, or routine physicals. We should also lead AHPP’s progressive effort to make HIV testing standard practice in all D.C. run health facilities. Finally, there must be support for the “Come Together DC – Get Screened for HIV” campaign from the D.C. Department of Health, a program that should also include counseling and referrals to adequate treatment for those who test positive.
6. Are you committed to continuing and expanding the District’s condom distribution program?
Yes. The use of condoms is an incredibly effective and proven prevention method for reducing HIV transmission. A report from DC Appleseed showed that AHPP was not even close to its goal of distributing 600,000 condoms in 2004 – as only 290,000 were distributed. In 2005, that number was only 125,000. We need to develop a plan to make condoms readily available in facilities throughout the District.
7. The District is being forced by the federal government to switch from a unique identifier system to a names reporting system for people testing positive for HIV. Will you support legislation to strengthen our medical privacy laws, such as by creating a private right of action for those whose confidentiality is violated by District government employees or contractors?
Yes. I would support legislation to strengthen our medical privacy laws. Due to the circumstances of the District needing comply with the Ryan White Reauthorization Act and transition to a names reporting system, we must take the necessary action to increase protections in this new system. I would support legislation to guarantee a private right of action and individual responsibility of penalties for a government employee who violates the law by disclosing information.
Human Rights
8. Will you support a budget for the Office of Human Rights (OHR) large enough to allow it to reduce to 270 days the average gap between the time that a discrimination complaint is filed and the time OHR issues a finding of probable cause?
Yes. We should applaud the OHR for continuing to reduce its caseload and cutting the time it normally takes to process incoming complaints. However, a nine month average gap between the time a complaint is filed with OHR and the time OHR issues a finding of probable cause is much too long. I would support an increase in OHR’s budget and staffing in order to reduce this timetable.
9. Will you block ceremonial resolutions and otherwise decline to honor individuals or organizations that promote any sort of bigotry?
Yes. Bigotry of any kind should not be tolerated in the District – and certainly not honored or celebrated. Given recent attacks to the city’s GLBT residents from certain ministers, we must take action to ensure these individuals have no soapbox from which to preach.
10. Are you committed to publicizing and enforcing the provisions of the D.C. Human Rights Act forbidding discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression?
Yes. Given DCHRA’s long-standing prohibition against discrimination based on sex and personal appearance that includes a ban on discrimination based on “gender identity or expression,” I will support regulations to enforce this Act. It’s time for City leaders to take the problem of discrimination against transgendered residents seriously – and to use every avenue available to end this problem.
Marriage and Family
11. Do you support legal recognition of marriages between partners of the same sex?
Absolutely. As I have stated on my website, on issues of equality, I do not think you look for compromise. You do not look for political victories, or for shades of gray. You do the right thing. And this issue is about more than just about rights to spousal healthcare or social security coverage. It's about who we are and those milestones and rituals that are dearest to our culture. I know one of the happiest days of my life will be my wedding day. Marriage is the symbol of a deep bond between two people. It is the culmination of a friendship, commitment, and relationship I hope will last a lifetime. This bond is something about which one dreams at a young age, and something that can make life fulfilling at an old age. It is one of the fabrics of our shared human experience. It is unjust my gay and lesbian friends cannot, as of right now, have this same experience. I also understand there are practical, strategic decisions to be made with respect to this issue. Congressional interference - potentially instigated by local legislation granting marriage licenses - from homophobic members of Congress could prove to leave the District's GLTB community worse off than it is now. However, we must act on this issue as soon as is strategically prudent, and work towards a day when the GLBT community has true equality in the District.
12. Will you support legislation in the District to continue expanding the existing domestic partnership program to include all relevant rights and responsibilities of marriage in D.C. law?
Yes. There are approximately 212 rights and responsibilities associated with marriage in the District, and, until full marriage equality is achieved, I will work to see that each of those rights is covered under the existing domestic partners law, the Health Care Benefits Expansion Act of 1992.
13. Will you support the legislative and/or regulatory changes necessary to ensure that the District recognizes civil unions, domestic partnerships and similar legal relationships established in other jurisdictions?
Yes. But, as I mentioned previously with regard to the legal recognition of same-sex marriage, we must proceed cautiously with respect to this issue. While I am strongly supportive of the District recognizing marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships established in other states and jurisdictions, I know we must wait so that such legislation does not provoke action from Congress that leaves the District's GLBT community worse off than it is now.
Public Education and Youth
14. Do you oppose both federal and local voucher programs that fund students in religious schools that are beyond the protections of the D.C. Human Rights Act?
Yes. Students in the District receiving public funds must enjoy all of the protections of the DC Human Rights Act - and I will strongly advocate this position as a member of the Council. It is also worth pointing out I have been consistently and strongly opposed to voucher programs.
15. Do you oppose the use of either federal or District taxpayer funds to promote “abstinence only until marriage” sex education that undermines safer-sex programs by discouraging the use of condoms and that effectively tells gay and lesbian students that they must remain celibate forever because they may not legally marry?
Yes. Federal and local dollars should be used for comprehensive sexuality education, not abstinence-only education. According to the CDC and other experts, this is the best way in which we can encourage the delay and reduce the frequency of sexual intercourse, reduce the number of sexual partners, and effectively encourage the practice of safer-sex. Further, abstinence-until-marriage programs -- with current marriage laws discriminating against same-sex couples -- clearly exclude and stigmitize GLBT youth by telling them they must remain celibate for life.
Consumers and Businesses
16. Do you support the relocation of the many gay bars and businesses that were displaced by the new ballpark, even if local NIMBYs and homophobes oppose them?
Yes. This is, in fact, an issue on which I was vocal when I was a member of Councilmember Graham’s staff. In 2004, when the ballpark package was first considered and passed by the Council, we worked to bring this issue to the attention of relevant city officials – and to see that these establishments are able to relocate.
17. Will you support legislation to curb the abuses of NIMBYs who are now allowed to file an endless series of baseless complaints to harass or extort bars and restaurants?
Yes. The harassment of some bars frequented by the GLBT community is appalling. I would certainly look for ways in which we could ensure that these bars – for instance, several bars on the 17th Street corridor have seen numerous unwarranted complaints – are not subject to this unfair treatment. I think it is fair to say this harassment is often just slightly disguised homophobia.
18. Do you oppose the Youth Protection from Obscene Video Games Act (B16-0125), a clone of other laws that have consistently been struck down by the courts on constitutional grounds?
Yes. The Youth Protection from Obscene Video Games Act is a clear violation of First Amendment rights. In addition, there has been no evidence from studies that show a connection between playing violent video games and committing violent crimes.
Record
Your record is part of your rating. Please list any actions that you have taken that may help illustrate your record on behalf of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders.
The issue of true equality for the GLBT community is something for which I have fought for some time. In 2000, I was proud to work on the presidential campaign of Bill Bradley, whose strong positions on GLBT issues often trumped those of his opponent. In 1998, I worked on the John Edwards for Senate campaign. Edwards defeated the incumbent Lauch Faircloth - a senator whose record on GLBT issues was abysmal, including a deciding vote against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in 1996.
During the spring of 2004, I helped lead and organize a group of GLBT activists at the 40th anniversary of the March on Washington; I was the coordinator of the Dupont Circle rally and lead the group to the Lincoln Memorial. I was also an active participant at a recent HRC rally for marriage equality.
In 2004, I was a member of Councilmember Jim Graham’s staff. As mentioned in the questionnaire, I worked to increase the awareness – among key government officials – of the important issue of relocation for several gay bars and businesses displaced by the new ballpark.
Earlier this year, I also worked to raise awareness – and develop support on the Council – of the importance of amending the hate crimes law (technically the Bias-Related Crime Act of 1989) with modern language specifically and explicitly protecting transgender people.
I been a proud participant at events and fundraisers for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), Sexual Minority Youth for Leadership and Equality (SMYLE), and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).