Philadelphia voters will head to the polls Nov. 6 for a general election that will not only decide the next president of the United States, but also a number of races in the local area. Voters will select the state’s next Attorney General and Auditor General, as well as members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and both chambers of the Pennsylvania legislature.
Throughout the month of October, PGN reached out to all candidates in contested races on both sides of the aisle in these races. The candidates for state legislature were asked to complete a written survey on their LGBT positions, while the federal candidates were interviewed with the same set of questions via telephone or in person. AG candidate Kathleen Kane sat down with PGN for an in-person interview. Despite numerous requests, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey failed to respond for an interview.
Below are summaries of the answers provided by the candidates.
PA ATTORNEY GENERAL
Kathleen Kane (D)
Democratic candidate for Attorney General Kathleen Kane said she would work to protect the rights of all Pennsylvanians, including LGBTs, if elected. Kane said that she would decline to defend the state’s Defense of Marriage Act in court as she considers it unconstitutional, the same reasoning behind the Obama administration’s move to stop defending the federal DOMA. She supports marriage equality, second-parent adoption and the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the state’s nondiscrimination law. Kane said that, as Attorney General, she would push to have the legislature pass a hate-crimes law that would include the LGBT community. She said she would make her office “one of inclusiveness and acceptance” and would support youth being able to access LGBT information at public schools. Kane said she would institute programs within the AG’s Office to protect youth from online predators whose staffers would be “specially trained and would be proactive rather than reactive.” Kane believes that education, especially through community-outreach programs, can be important in preventing cyber crimes. “These programs will reach children and teens in the LGBT community and let them know they have a place to go if something like that is occurring to them. They need to know how to protect themselves and where to go for help,” she said. “They need to be confident that somebody is there to help them.” Kane said she would defend the freedoms of all Pennsylvanians. “I would make sure that I used the position of Attorney General to speak up for the constitutional rights of all people — it doesn’t matter what party they are, what sexual orientation they are, what gender they are — all people need to be protected,” she said. Kane was endorsed by Equality Pennsylvania.
PA SENATE
1st Dist.
Larry Farnese (D)
Since taking office in 2009, state Sen. Larry Farnese has taken the lead on a number of LGBT issues. He was the prime sponsor on the Senate version of the measure to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the state’s nondiscrimination law. He cosponsored the proposed LGBT-inclusive hate-crimes law. Farnese, an original member of the LGBT Equality Caucus, is one of just three senators to cosponsor the proposed marriage-equality bill. He is in favor of repealing the state’s Defense of Marriage Act and has also been a vocal opponent in the efforts to amend the state constitution to limit marriage to one man and one woman. Farnese supports LGBT inclusion in anti-bullying measures. He said he has also worked on issues involving full health-care rights for all and funding for the state’s welfare programs, which he said could impact LGBT populations, among many others. He said he appreciates the LGBT support he’s received. “I have been honored in previous campaigns to have had a strong support from the LGBT community and would not have been successful without it,” he said. “I will continue to speak out on progressive issues that we all care about and work to improve the quality of life for everyone.” Farnese was endorsed by Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club and Equality Pennsylvania.
17th Dist.
Daylin Leach (D)
State Sen. Daylin Leach, founding member of the LGBT Equality Caucus, has been in office since 2009.
Leach, who is in favor of marriage equality, supports repealing the state’s Defense of Marriage Act.
He introduced the state’s first marriage-equality bill in 2009 and organized support in the Pennsylvania Judiciary Committee to block the proposed constitutional amendment to limit marriage to between one man and one woman.
Leach supports efforts to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the state’s nondiscrimination and hate-crimes laws. He said he “would be interested to learn how we could champion policies that would help LGBT business owners.”
Leach said he would work to instate policies that effectively discourage bullying of all students and would seek to provide access to health care, tools and education to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Leach credits equal-rights issues as his reason for taking on a career in public service.
“I believe the struggle to give members of the LGBT community their equal rights as citizens continues a longer fight to ensure that all Americans have access to the same opportunities, and I am proud to be a part of it,” he said.
Leach was endorsed by the Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club and Equality Pennsylvania.
PA HOUSE
170th Dist.
Brendan Boyle (D)
State Rep. Brendan Boyle, a member of the LGBT Equality Caucus, supports same-sex marriage and said it is not in Pennsylvania’s best interest to bar same-sex couples from having access to the benefits that heterosexual couples have.
He is in favor of repealing the state’s Defense of Marriage Act.
“I feel that [the law] is a barrier to equality for members of the LGBT community,” he said.
He supports equal adoption rights for LGBT parents.
“Sexual orientation should not factor into the assessment of parents any more than race or other factors that do not speak to the parenting skills of someone wishing to adopt,” he said.
The unemployment rate and current economy make the extension of the inheritance-tax exemption to same-sex couples even more important, Boyle said.
“It is not only the right thing to ensure basic fairness under state law, but also because it would guarantee that income goes back into the pockets of taxpayers to pay their bills or otherwise stimulate our economy,” he said.
Boyle said he would support efforts to ensure equal rights for LGBT business owners.
“There are two major ways in which equality for LGBT business owners must be protected: the licensure and permit process, and the availability of public and private loans,” he said.
If re-elected, he said he will continue to be an advocate of equal protection under the law.
“People of all sexual orientations and lifestyle choices should have the same opportunities as everyone else,” he said.
177th Dist.
William Dunbar (D)
William Dunbar hopes to bring new blood to the 177th Dist. by unseating longtime Republican Rep. John Taylor. Dunbar said he is a strong supporter of same-sex marriage and would advocate for marriage equality. “[Marriage] is a right that should not just be provided to some but to all,” he said. Dunbar opposes the effort to amend the state constitution to limit marriage to one woman and one man, which his opponent has voted for. Dunbar would support policies to allow LGBT couples to become foster or adoptive parents. “The most important thing is that foster children and those children seeking to be adopted get into families that care for them and their well-being,” he said. “Just because you are an LGBT individual in no way means you are not capable of becoming a parent and raising a family.” Dunbar supports the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the state’s hate-crime law. “Groups that are identified under the state hate-crimes law have typically had a long history of discrimination and, as such, this law is undoubtedly necessary,” he said. “This law is in place to protect those groups, and the LGBT community should be no different.” Dunbar would work to extend the state’s inheritance-tax exemption to same-sex couples. He said the state needs to better address the HIV/AIDS epidemic, especially in minority populations. “We appear to be taking a step back by attempting to defund programs such as Planned Parenthood that work around the clock to get these messages out to the public and work to eradicate these issues,” he said. Dunbar said he has a “passion to work to ensure that everyone, no matter race, gender, nationality, religion or sexual orientation, has the same rights and opportunities as everyone else has.”
188th Dist.
James Roebuck (D)
State Rep. James Roebuck said he would continue his LGBT advocacy if re-elected. Roebuck supports marriage equality and said he would work to repeal the state’s Defense of Marriage Act. He has cosponsored both marriage-equality and civil-union bills, as well as measures to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the state’s nondiscrimination and hate-crimes laws. He cosponsored a bill to extend the inheritance-tax exemption to same-sex couples and said he would continue to support that measure. Roebuck, who is a member of the LGBT Equality Caucus, said he has already started work to curb bullying against LGBT students. “I am working with members of the LGBT community to develop stronger anti-bullying policies by the School District of Philadelphia,” he said. Roebuck said he would support efforts to introduce enhanced prevention and education in regard to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as well as funding for those programs. Roebuck said that in his 27 years as a member of Pennsylvania’s legislature, he has always supported the LGBT community. “I have carried this commitment forward in my work as Democratic Chairman of the House Education Committee. That commitment will continue,” he said. Roebuck was endorsed by Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club.
U.S. HOUSE
1st Dist.
Bob Brady (D)
Congressman Bob Brady said he has been an ardent supporter of the LGBT community throughout his 14-year tenure in the House.
Brady supports marriage equality.
“You love who you want to love,” he said.
He backs President Obama on his stance of no longer defending the Defense of Marriage Act in court. He asserted that no one should face discrimination, which is why he has long supported and voted for the Employment Nondiscrimination Act and the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act.
“It is a human rights issue. No matter the sexual orientation — nobody should be harassed, punished or hurt,” Brady said. That notion extends to youth, he said.
“Nobody should be bullied. I know that the gay community, in particular LGBT students, get picked on and that is just wrong.”
Brady noted he has also been a big supporter of the LGBT-friendly senior housing project.
Brady said he would continue to work on behalf of the community if re-elected.
“They couldn’t get a better advocate,” he said. “I’ve been supporting the LGBT community since before I entered Congress.”
Brady was endorsed by Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club.
John Featherman (R)
John Featherman describes himself as a socially liberal and fiscally conservative Republican. He said that, at times, others judge him because of his political party. “I’ve been [for marriage equality] since I started in politics in 1996,” Featherman said. “For me, it’s always been a question of equality. Treat all people equally.” If elected, Featherman would work to convince other Republicans that marriage equality is not a partisan issue. “If you have a heterosexual couple, it’s in society’s best interest if that couple is married,” Featherman said. “If you have a gay couple, it’s in society’s best interest for them to be married. There is nothing more conservative than telling two unmarried people to get married.” Feather opposes the federal Defense of Marriage Act and supports the Employment Nondiscrimination Act. He said he would focus on crime reduction, education, employment and health care, all issues the LGBT community also deals with, he noted. “Other than being on the right side on every single fairness issue, I care about many other issues in the LGBT community that unfortunately are obscured because of the focus being exclusively on EDNA and marriage equality.”
2nd Dist.
Chaka Fattah (D)
Congressman Chaka Fattah is a seasoned politician who has long been fighting for LGBT rights. Fattah is a current cosponsor and supporter of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act. “We want to give guidance through this legislature to employers so that they are clear that people should have equal rights in the workplace,” he said. Fattah voted for the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He has also worked to protect youth by cosponsoring measures like the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act and the Safe Schools Improvement Act. “We’ve seen examples of bullying, specifically at Rutgers University, and they are horrendous,” he said. Fattah noted that the Ryan White Act, which helps low-income, un- and underinsured Americans access HIV/AIDS treatment, has made important progress in the epidemic, but that there is a lot of work to be done for hard-hit communities. “We’ve had pretty significant challenges in populations that are vulnerable to the HIV infection,” Fattah said, noting that he has seen a significant impact within the women-of-color community. “We want to make sure we prioritize education, prevention and supportive services. That is the real work that has to go forward.” Fattah’s relationship with the LGBT community has been long, and he promises to continue fostering that relationship. “Given the record of support that I have given, that support will continue to be forthcoming,” he said.
6th Dist.
Manan Trivedi (D)
Physician Manan Trivedi is looking to defeat Republican Congressman Jim Gerlach, who has helmed the 6th District for nearly a decade. Trivedi said he has long advocated for LGBT issues, even “before it was cool.” “I’ve been a longtime supporter of the LGBT community and marriage equality,” Trivedi said. He opposes the effort to amend the constitution to limit marriage to one man and one woman and would advocate for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. Trivedi, a veteran of the Iraq War, supported the lifting of “Don Ask, Don’t Tell.” “People should be able to serve openly, regardless of who they love,” he said. He would work for the passage of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act and anitbullying efforts like the Safe Schools Improvement Act. Trivedi said he is not only in favor of LGBT equality but also economic equality, and would work to invest in education and job training. “I am running for issues that will benefit the LGBT community as a whole. The LGBT community should vote for me because I am for equality for all. My opponent does not support the community, but I do. I believe that I am the best person to represent them,” he said. Trivedi has been endorsed by Equality Pennsylvania.
7th Dist.
George Badey (D)
South Philadelphia native and attorney George Badey said he would bring a progressive voice to Congress if successful in defeating incumbent Republican Rep. Patrick Meehan. “I am for gay marriage,” he said. “I’ve been asked about my views on gay marriage and I always [say], I’m not your average politician. I give a definite answer.” Badey said that, while on the campaign trail, voters who didn’t agree with his view on marriage equality still congratulated him on his honesty. “They say that it is refreshing to have someone give a direct answer on this,” he said. Badey considers the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and would support its repeal. “It is just wrong,” he said. “But I think ultimately that this will be a movement that will happen state by state.” He said there “should be no difference” in adoption laws between heterosexual and LGBT parents. “They should still go through the same screening that other couples go through but they’re just as good parents as anyone else,” he said. Badey said he would work to instate anti-bullying initiatives, noting that he was affected by the story of bullied Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi. “I think [bullying] is a multifaceted problem that requires a lot of solutions,” he said. “Victims need to be supported fully and school districts need to be attuned to this issue.” He considers fighting for LGBT causes the “right thing to do.” “History will prove me right,” he said. “We will feel good when we’re older and we see that we set up the LGBT movement to go forward, and we’ll know we did the right thing.” Badey was endorsed by the Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club and Equality Pennsylvania.
8th Dist.
Kathryn Boockvar (D)
Before making a bid for Congress against Republican incumbent Mike Fitzpatrick, Kathryn Boockvar said she has long supported LGBT issues in her work as an attorney.
“A large part of my career was representing and counseling LGBT couples and communities on domestic-partnership agreements, estate planning, family planning and all kinds of issues relating to them,” she said. “I wanted to make sure that they were protected, as well as advocate for the rights of the LGBT community.”
Boockvar supports same-sex marriage and considers the issue a family matter.
“To me, anything that makes the family unit and family security stronger is a good thing,” she said. “[Same-sex marriage] to me obviously does that.”
Boockvar would work to lift the state’s Defense of Marriage Act and would support measures to include sexual orientation and gender identity both in the state’s hate-crime and employment-discrimination laws.
Boockvar, who has a daughter in middle school, said bullying has a substantial impact on students and would advocate for programs that seek to end it.
She said her work as a board member at Bucks County anti-domestic violence agency A Woman’s Place would help inform her anti-bullying efforts.
“Though both are different issues, some of the programs that they use go into the schools and talk to the kids about how they should be treating other people,” she said.
Boockvar said she would approach the HIV/AIDS epidemic with the notion that the more education, the better. Her first job was as an advocate for people with HIV/AIDS.
“[The epidemic] crosses so many different sectors, including public health, individual health and discrimination. We need to be doing as much as we can to make sure people understand how [HIV/AIDS] works, how it spreads and how we treat it,” she said.
Boockvar has been endorsed by Equality PA and Liberty City Democratic Club.
13th Dist.
Allyson Schwartz (D)
Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz said LGBT rights are a natural part of her platform. “I believe in equal rights for all Americans. I have always been willing to say so,” she said. She has cosponsored and voted for the Employment Nondiscrimination Act and also backed the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” “LGBT men and women who are willing to put themselves in harm’s way to defend our nation should be included with all Americans who are willing to step up and serve our nation,” she said. She has also cosponsored the Uniting American Families Act. “We really want to help families stay together and that includes our gay and lesbian friends,” Schwartz said. The Congresswoman said she keeps herself educated on the latest developments in the fight against HIV/AIDS. “We continue to make sure that work gets done on prevention and education. This epidemic has turned from a deadly disease to one that is preventable.” Schwartz has been endorsed by Equality Pennsylvania.