Responses of Marie Johns to GLAA 2006 Questionnaire
for DC Mayoral Candidates
| Yes/No | Substance | Record | Championship | Total |
| 1.5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6.5 |
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, starting with the first budget you submit to the Council?
YES
The sensitivity and diversity training is important and critical to the success of not only the Fire/EMS Department but also the Police Department. I will commit the funds to make this training successful. More importantly, the training curriculum needs to be reviewed and where necessary, expanded. As an example I think we need to look at creating beginning, intermediate and advance training to meet the different needs and levels of exposure to the training by members of the Fire/EMS and Police Department. This review team will consist of community members including a representative form GLAA, representatives of the departments and training professionals. It will also be critical that the revised program focus intensely on youth and the transgender community. Both groups face special and unique challenges. GLBTQ youth bring knives to school to protect themselves from harassment and bullying not because they are violent. Some members of the transgender community have to engage in commercial sex work in order to survive. Oftentimes they face discrimination in the workplace or have not developed workforce skills. The police department must be sensitive to these groups and their challenges when doing their job.
At Verizon, DC, successful diversity training, which included sexual orientation, not only was the “right thing to do” but was critical to the success of the business. I have that same attitude about the training for the Fire/EMS and Police Departments. This training is critical to the success of these departments.
All the sensitivity training in the world will not be effective if the city does not have a mayor that holds both departments accountable for the implementation of the training and the adherence to its themes. Again, as a business leader I am familiar with being held and holding others accountable.
2. Will you appoint a new Fire/EMS Department Chief who is committed to rooting out the Department’s deeply entrenched homophobia and transphobia?
Yes
Throughout this campaign I have refrained from commenting about specific personnel within government. GLAA should not infer from my “yes” answer that I have made any decisions about the leadership of the Fire/EMS Department. I have stated for the record that there are serious challenges with the Fire/EMS Department and its leadership. I plan to conduct a rigorous review of the department when I am mayor and will implement the appropriate solutions which may include a leadership change.
Again, as a business leader, I did not hesitate to institute a controversial leadership change at the D.C. Chamber of Commerce when I was president. The change set in motion increased activity and business success for the organization.
As mayor I will not tolerate homophobia, transphobia or any discrimination. Any Fire/EMS Chief that does not have in place, training, proactive programs, rigorous and transparent investigations, community engagement and stringent accountability including separation from the department as a part of his/her management will not serve in a Johns’ Administration.
It is inconceivable that public officials who either have executive or oversight responsibilities would allow homophobia or transphobia to exist in the Fire/EMS Department. The Fire/EMS Department has recently, with the death of David Rosebaum and the inspector general report been in the news. Most of the challenges that have surfaced are not new. Luckily GLAA and other community groups have done appropriate oversight. It will not take another death or inappropriate practice for the Department to get my attention.
I remember vividly the issues surrounding the death of Tyra Hunter. As mayor, I will never allow this city nor the Fire/EMS Department and its leadership to forget the lessons of her death.
3. Will you include representatives of the GLBT community in the search process when you appoint a new Police Chief and a new Fire/EMS Chief?
YES
The GLBT community is an integral part of this city and its government. I will include the GLBT community in not only the Fire/EMS and Police Chief selection process but many of the senior level appointments of my administration. I will always seek a manageable, diverse and transparent selection process.
Because GLAA has developed a successful record of oversight and engagement on issues relating to the Fire/EMS and Police Department, the Johns’ administration would welcome their input and participation in the process.
4. Are you committed to continuing the Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit within the Metropolitan Police Department?
YES
Not only do I support continuing the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit but I want to see it expanded and take on new responsibilities. Bret Parsons and his unit have done an exceptional job representing the GLBT community in the Police Department. I will propose more resources to increase the number of officers that are assigned to the unit. This will enable the unit to deploy more officers, engage in more community outreach and education and bring special intelligence to the identification and investigation of hate crimes.
5. Will you submit a budget request for the Office of Police Complaints that will be large enough to continue to avoid developing a backlog of cases?
MAYBE
I want to review the operations of this department before committing additional resources. This department may need to redeploy its current staff to decrease the backlog. Some tasks may be completed through internships or public/private partnerships (similar to the HIV Surveillance Agreement with George Washington University) If after this review, a budget increase is necessary, it will receive high priority in my administration’s budget increase requests.
6. Will you ensure that the Department of Corrections enforces the District’s Human Rights Act against contractors who discriminate against transgender visitors to correctional facilities?
YES
I will continue to affirm my position that discrimination will not be tolerated in the Johns’ Administration. On the surface this would seem to be a “lack of communication” issue. First this is not a new issue. Community leaders like Earlene Budd and others have spoken out about this issue in the past and it is an embarrassment that it continues to surface. It is clear that there has been an absence of executive and oversight leadership.
First the Johns’ Administration will be directly involved from the Mayor’s office in bringing all of the stakeholders together to educate each other on the issues. While I will not tolerate discrimination, we must also be sensitive to the needs of the Department of Corrections about security. This must be followed with establishing a protocol to address this issue. Some suggestions could include more intensive training, including members of the transgender community as corrections officers, dual ID cards, expanding gender classifications on ID cards and establishing an independent transgender visitation registry coordinated by a transgender advocacy group.
The Johns’ Administration also will ensure that all contractors during the procurement process are made to certify that they will not discriminate against members of the transgender community as a condition of their award.
Let me be clear—policies, training and programs are only effective when you have a mayor in place that leads. As a seasoned business and community leader, I had to answer to the community and to stockholders on issues of diversity and discrimination. I expect to be held accountable for leading on this issue as mayor and I will hold the director of the Department of Corrections and ALL contractors accountable for their practices.
7. 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?
Maybe
It is suspect that “prostitution –free zones” will pass constitutional muster. I am also not convinced that over the long run that this law will work to reduce commercial sex work.
However, I do feel that controlling commercial sex is a concern of the government especially since it can lead to an increased transmission of HIV and other public health concerns. I have repeatedly said that the way you control commercial work, especially within the transgender community, is through providing a full complement of wrap around services such as mental health, work force training, housing, health care, etc. My administration will focus on providing those services to control commercial sex work.
AIDS and Public Health
8. Will you ensure that the drive to make HIV testing routine among District residents includes funding for counseling and referrals to treatment facilities for those who test positive?
YES
In my HIV/AIDS platform, I have already gone on record supporting increased “wrap around services for people who test positive for HIV.
To mark National HIV Testing day, I was publicly screened for HIV. I have pledged that as mayor to publicly get screened for HIV every 6 months as mayor. Hopefully this will continue the effort to de-stigmatize HIV screening and make it a part of routine healthcare.
Part of the challenge of delivering services and treatment to those living with HIV and those newly positive is due to the inefficiencies within the AHPP and the DC contracting and personnel policies. I have gone on record that I will elevate the Director of AHPP to Czar status. This will give this person direct access to the Mayor and the ability to cut through the red tape of personnel and procurement. This will have a tremendous impact on those organizations that are on the front line of providing services and treatment. This will also allow them to focus more on direct client contact instead of managing the AHPP bureaucracy.
I have also advocated a budget that treats people newly diagnosed and currently living with HIV as a total person and a budget that address all of their needs, where the priorities and spending are more centrally located instead of spread out all over the government. I will also insist that AHPP and DOH be more creative about sources of funds. We are all furious when we read press reports about federal money not being spent or funds that the government did not apply for. We will aggressively compete for every federal dollar. I will increase the budget for AHPP. This is a health crisis and our budget must reflect that.
9. Are you committed to continuing and strengthening the District’s condom distribution program?
YES
Condom distribution is a key element of any HIV Prevention program. At a recent DC Fights Back event, I was appalled to find that some groups wanting to conduct condom distribution had problems getting condoms from AHPP. As mayor, the city will invest in condoms and make them widely available. I will also work closely with the school system to develop an appropriate condom distribution program that makes them more easily available.
As you know condom distribution was highlighted as a failure of the city in the Appleseed Report. If in the first 6 months of my administration, AHPP has not made improvements in condom distribution, I will seek to find a contractor, possibly an existing community based organization to focus on this problem. There can be no impediment to condom distribution.
10. 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?
MAYBE
I do believe in medical privacy laws, and in general would favor ways to strengthen medical privacy rights. I want to use restraint in endorsing any specific method at this time. In order to be eligible for federal funds, the District is changing from the unique identifier to the names reporting method. Making the switch has been successful for the few remaining states using the unique identifier method. However, we must be very careful and have intensive oversight of this conversion process. I will ensure that this conversion receives the highest priority not only within AHPP but DOH in general. I can commit that I will hold all members of the government accountable for any breach on confidentiality.
Human Rights
11. Will you submit 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?
MAYBE
Clearly the goal is to reduce the average gap between the time that a discrimination complaint is filed and a finding. At this time—it would be fiscally irresponsible of me to promise budget increases for every program within the government. As a business and community leader, I want to first review the practices of the office and seek a redesign that will increase efficiency. There may also be an opportunity to establish a public/private partnership to handle certain tasks -- especially with the many law schools in the city.
12. Will you refuse to issue proclamations and otherwise decline to honor individuals or organizations that promote any sort of bigotry?
Yes
First let me re-state that I will not support any form of bigotry. As I have traveled throughout this city during the campaign, it has also been clear that we need to communicate better with each other and create an environment of toleration and respect. So while I will not honor individuals or organizations, I will seek through constructive dialogue to engage those individuals and the GLBT community. I am not naive—communication can be heated and emotional—but eventually, with leadership all of us can find common ground.
13. Will you refuse to appoint to your Interfaith Council ministers such as Bishop Owens and Rev. Willie Wilson who have publicly hurled vile language against members of the District’s GLBT community?
There is no place for any appointee of the mayor in any capacity that has espoused bigotry or public insult targeted at any community. I would be quick to denounce such actions and remove the offenders from their official capacity when warranted.
I firmly believe however in the important role of the mayor as a connector, communicator and healer. It will always be important for me to use the power of the mayor’s office to bring about greater understanding and among all constituencies and the GLBT community.
14. Will you invite representatives of GLAA to participate in the search process when you appoint a new Director of the Office of Human Rights, as Mayor Williams did in 2003?
YES
GLAA has earned a right to participate in the search process when I appoint a Director of the Office of Human Rights. GLAA has a long history of involvement in this office. At times city residents and the GLBT community have relied on them to “light fires” under the mayor and the office to improve its operation. GLAA has at times been more effective with oversight than the city council. No other organization has a record of engagement that rivals GLAA. They have earned and deserve a role in a leadership position in the search process.
15. Are you committed to enforcing the provisions of the D.C. Human Rights Act forbidding discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression?
YES
Unfortunately, due to a lack of leadership and oversight, we have laws and policies in the District of Columbia that are not enforced. I have a demonstrated record of success as a business and community leader of setting and accomplishing goals. I will enforce the provisions. I am always troubled by discrimination based on gender identity, especially the silly fights over hair, clothes or the lack of make-up—but again I think that this is an opportunity with mayoral leadership to start to educate and bring about greater understanding. I will also carry this message to the school system. Being free from discrimination and ridicule is especially important when our youth are developing and exploring their gender identity.
Marriage and Family
16. Do you support legal recognition of marriages between partners of the same sex?
YES
No issue is more controversial than marriage equality. I staked out my position early in the campaign and often in the face of opposition. Even in private meetings with clergy to ask for their personal support, instead of discussing the important issues such as healthcare, education and public safety, they wanted to focus on my marriage equality position. It would have been easy to try and sidestep or pander on this issue. I have consistently articulated my position on this questionnaire, in front of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club and in front of the Baptist Ministerial Alliance. I do not speak out of both sides of my mouth on this issue like some of my opponents. My position is as follows:
Marie Johns supports full legal marriage equality for same sex couples, which allows religious institutions to determine the types of unions they recognize. In this city and in this country civil marriage is an entity that can only be recognized when a legal and civil act takes place. Marie Johns supports no impediment to that civil act. This allows all couples to enjoy the federal and city rights, responsibilities and benefits that a legally recognized civil marriage entails.
During my tenure as mayor I will seek to educate D.C. residents and build a consensus of support. My administration will be in the business of supporting loving and supportive relationships regardless of gender.
17. Will your Administration publicize and enforce the recently enacted laws that have significantly expanded the rights and responsibilities of domestic partners?
YES
In the face of a hostile congress and White House, we have made great progress by enacting over 25 laws that expand domestic partnership. This is an excellent opportunity for the government to partner with the local GLBT and progressive community and media to publicize the expanded rights and responsibilities of domestic partnership. There is no excuse for this government not to enforce laws that are designed to protect and expand rights and to protect against discrimination. This has been due to a lack of leadership and oversight. Marie Johns will enforce these laws.
18. 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
Currently there are 212 rights and responsibilities associated with marriage in Washington, DC. I support a measured, “under the radar” approach to expanding these rights. We do not want to invite any federal attention by moving too quickly or loudly. Since I have taken a stance on marriage equality, I have had a number of very controversial conversations with the religious community. Despite their disagreement with me over so-called “gay marriage,” I have found some support when I talk more specifically about rights and responsibilities. Through coalition building and communication, I will assemble a group of fair minded clergy and community that will champion the expansion of these rights.
19. 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?
MAYBE
While I definitely support the recognition, I want to be cautious and prudent in our approach to this subject. I do not want to invite federal attention and intervention and thus jeopardize higher priority issues. For example, I have already stated for the record that I want to fight aggressively for needle exchange and to expand the D.C. Domestic Partnership program. I consider those issues of a higher priority.
Public Education and Youth
20. 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
School voucher programs divert resources away from the public school system. More importantly D.C. citizens have been very clear in their rejection of voucher programs. I have consistently made the support and reform of public education as one of my top priorities. While I respect the role that religious schools play in educating our young people, we can not have public funds used by institutions that lie outside the protections of the Human Rights Act.
21. 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
I have called for increased condom distribution throughout the city including the public school. This is a proven scientific method for reducing HIV infection rates. Clearly we all want young people to delay sexual activity and we also want to provide encouragement and support for young people who choose abstinence and abstinence-until-marriage. I do support abstinence education when coupled with a comprehensive sex education program that focuses on all options and does not discriminate or demagogue any groups or options. I will fight every effort to use district funds or accept federal funds that will promote a curriculum that would have such a negative effect on GLBTQ youth.
Consumers and Businesses
22. 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?
MAYBE
I support the relocation of bars to established commercial areas. We also must aggressively regain control over our zoning laws so that the District will be able to expand our commercial options. I do not support groups that seek to obstruct the process based on discrimination and homophobia. Clearly, we must have appropriate and fair community engagement and involvement in zoning and business location decisions.
As we re-develop areas of the city, businesses must immediately begin relocation planning. This is an area where the city can be of assistance. Unfortunately with the baseball stadium—too many businesses pursued a one-track solution of opposing the development instead of thinking about relocation. While I recognize that oftentimes the city and affected businesses may find themselves adversaries, as a business and community leader, I am the only candidate that has a proven record of helping businesses stabilize, expand and develop.
23. 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
I have stated for the record many times my support for economic diversity, especially in commercial corridors and areas targeted for commercial redevelopment. Clearly there is a role for community input into the zoning and regulatory process. But it can not be used as a tool to hinder commerce or as a means of extortion. As mayor I will appoint people to regulatory boards and commissions that share this value.
This is another opportunity for the mayor to lead and get engaged. I will use the power of the mayor to directly intervene and bring the opposing sides together to reach a consensus and solution.
24. 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
However, not only is this law unconstitutional but it will not work. I strongly support warning labels, education efforts and parental control. My candidacy has been endorsed by Robert Raben, former US Deputy Attorney General who currently advocates on behalf of the video games industry against this act.
While we can all agree that certain materials are inappropriate for young people, the question really is about the role of government censorship. As mayor, I will always support empowering families and young people’s access to age appropriate media.
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.