Dear Editor:
While I respect and appreciate the work of Liberty City Democrats, I am concerned about two matters that focus on their usually excellent endorsement process.
Let me begin with Liberty City’s endorsement of the incumbent City Controller. Free debate occurred the evening of the endorsement and the environment seemed free of intimidation and inducements. But, immediately subsequent to the endorsement, that incumbent City Controller wrote Liberty City a check for $5,000.
While I certainly do not suggest actual impropriety, I am confident in saying there is now the appearance of an impropriety. More dangerously, it may suggest to others in the political realm that Liberty City has a “pay for play” policy and that gay votes can be “bought” — giving a new meaning to “gay for pay.”
Perception is reality, which is why appearances and impressions matter so very much.
Liberty City may need some contributions to print literature and such, but Bob Dylan wrote, “Money doesn’t talk — it swears.”
Who can argue with that?
My other concern is Liberty City’s endorsement of candidates who clearly opposed or equivocated on gay marriage and gay adoption.
One candidate had to be asked his position three separate times because of his intently evasive answers. On the evening of the endorsement, that candidate’s position remained murky and disputable, but he was endorsed anyway.
Another candidate is a deacon in a church where gays, once discovered, are given “the boot.” He made it plain he doesn’t support adoption or marriage and declined to support the civil rights of transgender members of our community. This guy got endorsed too.
Rightly, Liberty City requires written answers to an array of community concerns.
Wrongly, many of those critical answers are ignored on the night of endorsement.
I am gay and want to know I’m voting for someone who acknowledges that my rights are the same as theirs. How can we rally to the side of candidates who decline to acknowledge our full equality?
Nothing is perfect and the work of Liberty City remains super-valuable, but there needs to be an internal conversation about taking the $5,000, and backing candidates who are ambivalent about us.
I would encourage a new resolve to dramatically increase the numbers of gay candidates they recruit to run for office. Philadelphia still is void of out/gay members of City Council, our delegation to Harrisburg and Washington and row offices, e.g. register of wills, sheriff, etc. In this regard, we are way behind other cities with sizable gay populations.
Contentedly, I close as I began, expressing respect and appreciation for Liberty City.
Jay A. McCalla Society Hill