Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC
P.O. Box 75265, Washington, DC 20013
202-667-5139
February 24, 2012 (Updated March 19)
Contact: Rick Rosendall, Political Vice President
202-667-5139
Evans dominates GLAA's D.C. Council candidate ratings
Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans dominated the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, D.C. (GLAA) candidate ratings for the April 3 D.C. Council primaries with a score of +8.5. Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser earned +6.5. They were the highest-rated candidates in this election cycle. GLAA held its ratings meeting on February 21. A key to available ratings points is provided below.The following are explanations of the individual ratings for D.C. Council primary candidates. Note: Ratings marked with an asterisk (*) indicate a candidate who did not return GLAA's questionnaire and was therefore rated solely on his or her known record on GLAA's issues.
At-Large
Democratic incumbent Vincent Orange (+0.5) showed no understanding of the issues in his questionnaire. His answer on the medical marijuana program is disingenuous. Councilmember Orange has led efforts to undermine the program. He introduced restrictions on nude dancing and medical marijuana in Ward 5, which earned him a negative championship point. The permanent Prostitution Free Zone (PFZ) legislation was co-introduced by Orange, although he claims to oppose it.
Democratic candidate Sekou Biddle (+5.5) agreed with GLAA on most issues, and showed understanding of the issues. As a member of the DC Board of Education he helped pass comprehensive health standards and pushed for improved school safety. As a DC Council member he co-sponsored the Marriage Officiant Amendment Act of 2011. He is tied with Peter Shapiro for the highest rating in the At-Large race.
Democratic candidate Peter Shapiro (+5.5) submitted a revised questionnaire on March 18 which added much more substance to his answers. He agreed with GLAA on most issues and showed an understanding of them. His record includes vocal advocacy for marriage equality and fighting to create a needle exchange program in Prince George's County. With his revised rating he is tied with Sekou Biddle for the highest rating in the At-Large race.
Statehood-Green candidate G. Lee Aikin (+4.0) agreed with GLAA on all issues and showed understanding of the issues. She does not have a strong record on our issues.
Statehood-Green candidate Ann C. Wilcox (+0.5*) has provided legal representation to GetEqual and Occupy D.C. protesters. No questionnaire and no other known record.
Republican candidate Mary Brooks Beatty (0*) did not submit a questionnaire and has no known record.
Democratic candidate E. Gail Anderson Holness (-1.5) failed to provide definitive responses to most of the questionnaire, and opposes GLAA on key issues including her advocacy for holding a referendum on marriage equality. She received the only negative score in the At-Large race and is the only non-incumbent to earn a negative rating.
Ward 2
Democratic incumbent Jack Evans (+8.5), who is unchallenged, has the strongest questionnaire and record of any candidate in the primary election. He earned the only positive championship point for his legislation on tax parity for domestic partners and married couples. Jack has a long history of support on LGBT issues and has the highest rating of any Council candidate.
Ward 4
Democratic incumbent Muriel Bowser (+6.5) disagreed with GLAA on school vouchers, but was a strong supporter on marriage equality. She showed a strong understanding of the issues and scored above all of the challengers in her race. Her supportive record on LGBT issues as a councilmember lifted her further.
Democratic candidate Max Skolnik (+5) agreed with GLAA on all issues and showed a fair understanding of the issues. He had the second highest rating in the Ward 4 race, and the fourth highest overall.
Democratic candidate Renee Bowser (+3.5) had a weak overall questionnaire but earned a record point for being the former chair of the Human Rights Commission.
Democratic candidate Baruti Jahi (+2) agreed with GLAA on every issue, even answering "Yes" to an essay question. He has no known record.
Democratic candidate Calvin Gurley (0) had a poor questionnaire and showed confusion on numerous issues. His support for a referendum on marriage equality and for abstinence-only education canceled out his positives on other issues.
Democratic candidate Judi Jones (0*) did not submit a questionnaire and has no known record.
Ward 7
Democratic incumbent Yvette Alexander (-3.5) submitted a weak questionnaire marked by disagreement with GLAA on basic issues. She was the lead introducer of legislation to make Prostitution Free Zones permanent, which would lead to increased profiling and discrimination against transgender people. She likened the successful HPV vaccination program to a Tuskegee Experiment on young black girls. She introduced a bill to create mandatory HIV testing for people applying for marriage licenses. She voted against the marriage equality bill. And she introduced an amendment to the marriage bill that would have effectively removed protections of the D.C. Human Rights Act on the basis of sexual orientation. She received a negative championship point on the marriage amendment and PFZ legislation.
Democratic candidate Tom Brown (+3.5) had a fair questionnaire but no known record.
Democratic candidate Kevin B. Chavous (+3.5) had a fair questionnaire but little record. Chavous and Brown tied for highest rating in the Ward 7 race.
Republican candidate Ron Moten (+1.5*) did not submit a questionnaire. GLAA has re-rated him since the Feb. 21 meeting based on additional information on his record: As founder of the youth anti-crime group Peaceaholics, Moten played a leading role in helping the gay and transgender youth in the Check It gang transform into a business oriented fashion group that is seeking to sell a line of clothing. Moten was a speaker at the candlelight vigil for transgender murder victim Deoni Jones. Moten earned +1.5 points under record.
Democratic candidate Dorothy Douglas (0*) did not submit a questionnaire and has no known record.
Republican candidate Don Folden, Sr. (0*) did not submit a questionnaire and has no known record.
Democratic candidate Monica L. Johnson (0*) did not submit a questionnaire and has no known record.
Democratic candidate William Bennett (-1.0*) did not submit a questionnaire. GLAA has re-rated him since the Feb. 21 meeting based on additional information on his record: At the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club endorsement meeting on Feb. 23, Bennett said that he supports human rights but not homosexuality; he supports sex but not same-sex. Bennett earned -1.0 points under record.
Ward 8
Democratic incumbent Marion Barry (-3.5*) did not return a questionnaire and is rated solely on his record. He co-introduced the legislation for permanent Prostitution Free Zones and the bill to create mandatory HIV tests for people applying for marriage licenses. Councilmember Barry did not just vote against marriage equality, he campaigned against it, leading an anti-gay chant in a rally at Freedom Plaza: http://youtu.be/Vo111P32te0. He received a negative championship point for his campaign against marriage equality and support of permanent PFZs.
Democratic candidate Sandra "S.S." Seegars (+5.5) submitted a late questionnaire and information on her record, which GLAA members evaluated via email on March 5. She agrees with GLAA on most issues and shows a good grasp of them. She has worked with a number of activists in support of LGBT and HIV/AIDS issues, and has mediated bullying of LGBT youth. She now has the highest rating in the Ward 8 race.
Democratic candidate Darrell Gaston (+4.0) submitted a late questionnaire, which was evaluated via email on Feb. 23 by GLAA members who had participated in the Feb. 21 meeting. Gaston agreed with GLAA on most issues, but offered little substance. He worked at Wanda Alston House and testified in favor of the marriage equality bill.
Democratic candidate Jacque D. Patterson (+2.5) agreed with GLAA on most issues, but did not explain them. He has a limited record.
Democratic candidate Natalie Williams (0*) did not submit a questionnaire and has no known record.
GLAA rates candidates on a scale of -10 to +10, based on their answers to our questionnaire and their record on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The questionnaire addresses a variety of issues including marriage and family, public health, public safety, human rights, youth and seniors, and defending LGBT consumers and businesses. The GLAA agenda, questionnaire, and complete candidate responses are available online at www.glaa.org.All candidates were provided a copy of "Agenda: 2012," GLAA's comprehensive policy brief on LGBT issues in Washington, D.C.
Ratings should not be interpreted as endorsements. GLAA does not endorse candidates in partisan elections.
GLAA has rated candidates in every D.C. primary and general election since 1971. Independent council candidates will be rated prior to the general election.
Founded in 1971, the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, D.C. is an all-volunteer, non-partisan, non-profit political organization that defends the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the Nation's Capital. We are the nation's oldest continuously active gay and lesbian civil rights organization.
GLAA Ratings for April 3, 2012 D.C. Primary Election
To see the full text of a candidate's questionnaire responses, click on his or her name below.
At-Large DC Councilmember
Ward 2 DC Councilmember
Ward 4 DC Councilmember
Ward 7 DC Councilmember
Ward 8 DC Councilmember
Note: Ratings marked with an asterisk (*) indicate a candidate who did not return a questionnaire
and was therefore rated solely on his or her known record on GLAA's issues.
Key to available ratings points
| Questionnaire: yes/no | +/- 2 points |
| Questionnaire: substantive grasp of issues | +/- 4 points |
| Record: | +/- 3 points |
| Championship: taking the lead on an issue of concern to gay men and lesbians | +/- 1 point |
| Total available: | +/- 10 points |
Click here to view a detailed breakdown of all candidates' ratings points.
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