IN PURSUIT OF LIBERTY: Councilmen Jim Kenney, (from left) Frank DiCicco and candidate Haile Johnson speak at the William Way Community Center seeking to earn the endorsement of the Liberty City Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club. In all, 20 Council candidates and two other citywide candidates spoke. Photos: Tim Cwiek

Twenty candidates vying for a seat on City Council attended a candidates’ forum last week, appealing for votes from the GLBT community and its supporters.

The Liberty City Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club sponsored the March 22 candidate night and, after considering a variety of factors, is expected to announce its endorsements April 12.

Only Democratic candidates spoke at the forum, which was attended by about 85 people. If victorious in the May 15 primary, candidates are virtually ensured a victory in the November general election, as the majority of registered voters in Philadelphia are Democrats.

In addition to Council candidates, two others made presentations at the forum: Blair Talmadge, who is running for city commissioner; and Michael Untermeyer, who is running for sheriff.

At-large candidates

Councilman-at-large James Kenney, the first candidate to speak, is seeking re-election. He praised the gay community for being self-reliant. “This is one of my favorite communities to represent,” Kenney said. He assured attendees of his support of same-sex marriage and said he employs an openly gay staff person.

Matt Ruben is seeking an at-large Council seat. “I’m a former member of ACT UP, and that helped make me the activist I’ve become,” he said. Ruben also spoke passionately about the importance of a casino-free waterfront.

Marc Stier used his three-minute presentation to focus on GLBT-specific issues. He noted that his young daughter fully supports the concept of a lesbian household: At age 6, she wanted to play house with a friend, and both could act as a mommy for the baby, he said.

“That’s how I brought up my daughter, and that’s what my vision of an ideal world would look like,” Stier said.

Andy Toy, another candidate, noted that he could become the first Asian American to serve on Council. He promised to speak out on behalf of GLBT issues. “There are voices that aren’t being heard in our city,” he said.

He also pledged support of a proposal that would allow same-sex couples to transfer real estate without being taxed in the city. “That’s a fairness issue that I will fight for,” Toy said. “I value this community.”

William Greenlee is seeking re-election. He served for 26 years as an assistant to former Councilman David Cohen, who died in October 2005.

“I spent 26 years helping people,” Greenlee said. “I’ve helped thousands of people and I’m very proud of that.”

Juan F. Ramos, seeking re-election as an at-large council member, noted that he has an openly gay staff member. He also said he would support the removal of the Boy Scouts from their Center City headquarters if a resolution to that effect is introduced in City Council.

Two mayoral offspring are running for at-large seats.

Sharif Street, son of Mayor Street emphasized his support for housing and health issues, including increased funding for AIDS.

He supports same-sex marriage. “It’s a First Amendment right,” he said.

Bill Green, the son of former Mayor William J. Green 3d, noted that his father wasn’t always friendly to the gay community. In August 1982, his father refused to sign a gay-rights proposal, but it became law the following month without his signature.

“He was not a good mayor for your community,” the younger Green conceded. “He was fair and honest, but of a different generation.”

He promised to be much more supportive than his father.

Derek Green spoke against any attempt to ban same-sex marriages by amending the Constitution. “We don’t need to be using the Constitution to take away rights,” he said.

The candidate also supports removal of the Boy Scouts from their city headquarters if they refuse to pay rent or permit openly gay participants.

“We shouldn’t be using any city building to discriminate against any person,” he said.

Benjamin Ramos called for a corruption-free city government. “We have to run an open, transparent government, cleanly,” he said.

Blondell Reynolds Brown, seeking re-election, emphasized her support for children’s issues. She stopped short of supporting same-sex marriage, but said she supported civil unions.

“I will continue to be a voice for those who are disenfranchised.”

First District

Frank DiCicco, who is running for re-election, said he was instrumental in getting the city’s transgender civil-rights bill enacted in May 2002.

DiCicco’s opponent, Vern Anastasio, said he would serve as an activist member of Council. He called the police investigation of the Nizah Morris homicide “a gross miscarriage of justice.”

If elected, Anastasio said he would call for Council hearings on the Morris case, in which a transgender woman was found with a fatal head wound after receiving a police courtesy ride.

In addition, Anastasio said his staff would be more racially diverse than DiCicco’s staff.

Second District

Damon Roberts, who is attempting to unseat City Council President Anna Verna in the Second, said he would be more visible than Verna. “Many people in the district have no idea what she looks like,” he said.

Fifth District

Haile Johnson promised to introduce a resolution calling for the removal of the Boy Scouts from their Center City headquarters, if the Scouts refuse to pay rent or to allow openly gay participants.

“I was a Boy Scout with young men, afraid to be open about their sexual orientation,” Johnson said.

He noted that his opponent, incumbent Councilman Darrell L. Clarke, did not attend the forum.

Seventh District

Maria Quinones Sanchez emphasized her community activism.

“I’m very familiar with schools, neighborhoods and community-based organizations,” she said. “We can do better. We will do better.”

Eighth District

Cindy Bass said she’s a strong supporter of pro-choice issues. She also supports same-sex marriage. “We need to elect people who will stand up for equal rights,” she said.

Attorney Irv Ackelsberg spoke on a variety of issues of interest to the GLBT community, particularly lower-income residents.

Ninth District

Marian Tasco, seeking re-election, pledged her support for GLBT issues. “I’ve been a fighter; I’ve taken to the streets for civil rights,” she said.

She recalled her days back in 1971, when she fought for affordable housing in the Whitman Park section of the city.

Her opponent, Ray Jones, said more must be done to improve the quality of life for all city residents and visitors.

“City Council has become an impediment to change,” Jones said. “It’s time for change.”