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Gay and Lesbian VOTE a profile of candidates* positions on issues affecting gay men and lesbians PRIMARY LEHIGH COUNTY with information about: County Executive, County Commissioner, Mayor, City Council and School Board races ELECTION DAY Tuesday, May 15 Pennsylvania Gav and LesbianAlliance for political action Chris Altieri R * Did not complete questionnaire, but on Primary x99 questionnaire indicated that he supports a non-discrimination policy for county * Supports a non-discrimination policy for county employment and employment and contracts that includes sexual orientation. county contracts that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. > *l have always been an equal opportunity employer." NAME EQUALITY BENEFITS AIDS FUNDING Roger C. Reis R Derr * > * * cDoidn tnaoitn eadn:s wer questionnaire, but returned a statement that Maher * 0 0 0 * "Sexual orientation should not be a factor when considering the hir ing or promotion of an individual, or in the awarding of contracts." LEHIGH COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 4 * "The issue of health and welfare benefits for same-sex partners Is best resolved at the state level." • Daniel K. McCarthy D Endorsed by PA-GALA Did not respond: Daniel McNeill D * Supports a non-discrimination policy for county employment and NAME EQUALITY BENEFITS AIDS FUNDING county contracts that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. Altieri • > * * * Supports extending benefits to same-sex partners, "but first a stan Reis * 4 0 0 dsaamrde -osf eux naifnodr mnitoyn asnadm ceo-snesxi spteanrtcnye mrs uosft cboe uenstyta belmisphleody efoers .b" oth * Was first candidate to attend Pride Festival (1996). LEHIGH COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 James T. Spang, Jr. D Did not respond: Percy H. Dougherty R, Sterling H. Raber R * Will support a non-discrimination policy for county employment and county contracts that prohibits discrimination based on sex ual orientation. LEHIGH COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3 > "I would support the amendment of the county personnel policy in regards to benefits for same-sex partners on the condition that Kurt Derr D the policy meets Federal and State guidelines. The county must require a guideline similar to a common law union relating to * Supports a non-discrimination policy for county employment and contractual matters between the two partners resulting in consis county contracts that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. tency with the existing benefits program." > Regarding benefits for county employees said: "I believe that this is an issue to be decided as part of the collective bargaining NAME EQUALITY BENEFITS AIDS FUNDING process between the Executive Branch and employees' collec tive bargaining units." •McCarthy * * * Spang > * Has attended PA-GALA fund raisers. * * * • Endorsed ; excellent; • good; > neutral; 4 poor; 4 4 unacceptable; 0 no basis X RADICAL RIGHT know we do agree on equal rights for every citizen in Allentown. NAME EQUALITY BENEFITS AIDS FUNDING I have never waffled or flipped on any issue, and I will never •Croslis * * * * change my mind on this one." Bausch > 4 * 4 Pamela D. Varkony R • Ervin • 0 > • * Will sign the amendment to Allentown's Anti-discrimination Ordinance, but will not commit to calling on City Council to MAYOR OF ALLENTOWN pass the addition of sexual orientation to the Ordinance. > "I am inclined to support the idea of partners being able to buy • Roy Afflerbach D into benefits." Endorsed by PA-GALA * Will not commit to re-establishing funding for the Allentown Human Relations Commission. "I will continue to support the ** Will call on City Council to pass and will actively support the existing (volunteer) Human Relations Commission." addition of sexual orientation to the City's Anti-discrimination * "I acknowledge and appreciate the vital role that the gay and Ordinance. lesbian community has played in our city." * Supports extending benefits to same-sex partners of city employees. "A legally binding life-sharing contractual docu Bob Lovett R ment should be required in lieu of a marriage certificate." * Will re-establish funding for Allentown Human Relations ** Will call on City Council to pass and will actively support the Commission. addition of sexual orientation to the City's Anti-discrimination ** As a State Senator cosponsored a bill to establish a pilot pro Ordinance. gram to continue health insurance payments for PWA's and * Opposes extending benefits to same-sex partners of city HIV+ persons who couldn't afford the premiums. employees. *• As a State Senator cosponsored the Hate Crimes Bill (1995-1998). * "One half of my United Way contributions go to the Aids Service * Voted for the HIV Confidentiality Act. Center, Inc." * Voted for Defense of Marriage Act (1996). * Publicly advocated amending the Allentown Anti-discrimination Ordinance to include sexual orientation, from the stage of the NAME EQUALITY BENEFITS ANTI-VIOLENCE FUNDING AIDS 1998 Pride Festival. •Afflerbach ** * ** * ** * PA-GALA Member. * Has attended PA-GALA events. Bennett ** * * * * Clark • 0 0 0 0 Siobhan L. Bennett D Daday 44 0 0 0 0 ** Will call on City Council to pass and will actively support the •Smith ** * * * * addition of sexual orientation to the City's Anti-discrimination Varkony * > > 4 * Ordinance. "If I am elected Mayor, I will publicly and actively work to get the amendment passed by Council so that I can Lovett * 4 0 4 > sign it into law." * Supports extending benefits to same-sex partners of city employees. • Endorsed ; ** excellent; * good; > neutral; 4 poor; 4 4 unacceptable; 0 no basis X RADICAL RIGHT muniTy tor so many years. I look forward to serving the commu nity and the City of Allentown as a City Council Member." BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DIRECTOR John R. Siplak D Craig T. Haytmanek ** Will introduce or cosponsor an amendment of sexual orienta * Supports formation of student Cay Straight Alliances. tion to the City's Anti-discrimination Ordinance. * Supports a policy prohibiting discrimination in the hiring and pro * Would not commit to support domestic partner benefits for city motion of school employees, including teachers on the basis of employees. sexual orientation. * Will re-establish funding for Allentown Human Relations > "I support diversity of attitudes and beliefs." Commission. Did not respond: Charlene Koch, Julie S. Venanzi Duane J. Tolson D ** Will introduce or cosponsor an amendment of sexual orientation NAME EQUALITY SUPPORT CURRICULUM AIDS ED SEXUALITY ED to the City's Anti-discrimination Ordinance. 4 Opposes domestic partner benefits for city employees. Haytmanek * > * * * * Will re-establish funding for Allentown Human Relations Commission. Emma Tropiano D EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Did not respond to questionnaire: Information taken from other John F. Belin, Jr. D sources and previous questionnaires. 4 4 Told PA-GALA committee she would cosponsor the amendment ** Will introduce or cosponsor and work actively for the passage of to the City's Anti-discrimination Ordinance if they postponed an anti-discrimination ordinance which includes sexual orientation. the introduction of the amendment until after the election, * Supports benefits for same-sex partners of city employees. which they did. After the election, refused to cosponsor when Brent Labenberg R the legislation was brought up. * Will introduce or cosponsor an anti-discrimination ordinance which Edward Foster R includes sexual orientation. 4 Will not commit to introduce or cosponsor an amendment of > Supports same-sex partner benefits only if partners pay for them, sexual orientation to the City's Anti-discrimination Ordinance. did not indicate what benefits he would support. 4- Will not commit to support domestic partner benefits for city >• "I have no problem with gays, but I do not understand why they employees. should be treated any differently than anyone else that includes * Opposes re-establishing funding for Allentown Human Relations having specific laws just for them." Commission. 0 Did not answer or said he needed more information on most questions. ** excellent; * good; > neutral; 4 poor; 4 4 unacceptable; 0 no basis X RADICAL RIGHT Robert M. Cohen D NAME EQUALITY BENEFITS ANTI-VIOLENCE FUNDING > Did not respond to questionnaire, but sent statement indicating Appel x X X he would support Federal laws as outlined in the U.S. Hunsberger * • * 4 Constitution. Did not respond: Rebecca L. Orioski D., Jim Archibald R., ALLENTOWN SCHOOL DIRECTOR Jayne R. Bartlett R., Samuel H. Hann, ill R., Gabriel Khalife R., Eileen W. Ufberg R. Maritza C. Alvarez D * Supports formation of student Gay Straight Alliances. WHITEHALL-COPLAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR * Supports a policy prohibiting discrimination in the hiring and pro motion of school employees, including teachers on the basis of Did not respond: Eileen B. Abruzzi D., Joseph A. Alban D., Scott sexual orientation. J. Cope D., Michael J. Bankos R., Dominic E. Bellucci, Jr. R., Christine M. Parola R., Tom Rummel R., Joyce Wheeler R. PAID FOR BY PA-GALA. STEVE BLACK. TREASURER excellent; • good; > neutral; * poor; * * unacceptable; 0 no basis X RADICAL RIGHT Voter Information from PA-GALA Craig B. Neely R > "Counselors should encourage students to find safe people to talk to among friends, families, etc., and the student who is 4 Will not commit to introduce or cosponsor an anti-discrimination deeply depressed should not be referred to psychiatric 'care' or ordinance which includes sexual orientation. 'medications.' " 4 Will not support domestic partner benefits. * "I support HIV/AIDS education that prevents infection and pre 4 Is an attorney who believes that gay men and lesbians already vents discrimination against infected individuals." have the same rights that are conferred upon all Americans. • Candido J. Garcia D Did not respond: Adam Bean D., Roger S. Whitcomb D., Dennis Endorsed By PA-GALA Gouldy R., Eileen S. Maguire R. * Supports formation of student Gay Straight Alliances. * Supports a policy prohibiting discrimination in the hiring and pro NAME EQUALITY BENEFITS ANTI-VIOLENCE FUNDING motion of school employees, including teachers on the basis of sexual orientation. Belin ** * * * * Running on a platform that outlines a non-discrimination policy Labenberg * > 4 4 that includes sexual orientation. Neely 4 4 4 > Mare Shaffer D * Supports formation of student Gay Straight Alliances. * Supports a policy prohibiting discrimination in the hiring and pro WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP COMMISSIONER motion of school employees, including teachers on the basis of sexual orientation. Ronald W. Appel D > When asked what should the school district do to prevent harass * Will cosponsor an anti-discrimination ordinance which includes ment of gay and lesbian students, responded: "I would have to sexual orientation. hear some specific incidents to formulate an answer to this." * Supports same-sex domestic partner benefits. Did not respond: Jeanette Eichenwald D., Sandra H. Stecker R. Clair D. Hunsberger D * Supports an anti-discrimination ordinance which includes sexual NAME EQUALITY SUPPORT CURRICULUM AIDS ED SEXUALITY ED orientation, but would not agree to cosponsor or introduce. * Supports same-sex domestic partnership benefits for township Alvarez * * * * 4 employees, but did not indicate which benefits. •Garcia * * * * * Did not respond: Elizabeth L. Buchmiller D., Philip Ginder D., Shaffer * * * • > Linda K. Snyder D., Steve Ament R., Bruce Geisler R., Kolin J. Kiefer R., Barbara Magro R. PARKLAND SCHOOL DIRECTOR 1 Voter Information from PA-GALA Primary Election Tuesday May 15, 2001 ALLENTOWN CITY COUNCIL 4 year term David M. Howells, Sr. D Michael D'Amore D Did not respond to questionnaire. 4 As an Allentown City Councilman refused to cosponsor or support ** Will introduce or cosponsor an amendment of sexual orientation the amendment of sexual orientation to the City's Anti-discrimina to the City's Anti-discrimination Ordinance. tion Ordinance. * Supports domestic partner benefits for city employees. Did not respond: Tom Burke R, Tim Hecht R. * Will re-establish funding for Allentown Human Relations Commission. > "If I am elected to Council, my door (and my mind) will always NAME EQUALITY BENEFITS ANTI-VIOLENCE FUNDING AIDS be open." D'Amore •* • * • • • Julio A. Guridy D •Guridy ** • * * ** Endorsed by PA-GALA •Hoover ** • * • ** ** Will introduce or cosponsor an amendment of sexual orientation Siplak *• 0 0 * 0 to the City's Anti-discrimination Ordinance. Tolson 4 ** * * * * Supports domestic partner benefits for city employees. Tropiano 44 0 0 0 0 * Will re-establish funding for Allentown Human Relations Foster 0 0 0 4 > Commission. Howells 4 0 0 0 0 •* Co-founder of AIDS NET, also founded Latino AIDS Outreach Program, and expanded the program to Harrisburg, Reading, and Lancaster. BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL ** Testified in favor of the addition of sexual orientation to the Anti discrimination Ordinance at City Council meeting in 1998. Scott Glenn R •Gail Hoover D ** Will introduce or cosponsor an anti-discrimination ordinance which Endorsed by PA-GALA includes sexual orientation. * Supports same-sex domestic partner benefits, "However, such a ** Will introduce or cosponsor an amendment of sexual orientation change would have to include hetero, unmarried couples who to the City's Anti-discrimination Ordinance. co-habitate." ** Actively lobbied City Council and other organizations for pas >• With respect to training police to handle bias crimes: "In my view sage of the amendment of sexual orientation to the City's Anti a crime is a crime and should be investigated and punished by discrimination Ordinance (1998). the merits of the case, regardless of motive to the fullest extent of * Supports domestic partner benefits for city employees. the law." * Will re-establish funding for Allentown Human Relations Did not respond: Jean Belinski D., John Callahan D., Jim DelGrosso Commission. D., Mike Schweder D. * PA-GALA Member. * PA-GALA Rainbow Team supporter. * FACT supporter. NAME EQUALITY BENEFITS ANTI-VIOLENCE FUNDING AIDS ** Founding board member of Lehigh Valley Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Board member and volunteer of several other Lehigh Glenn ** * > * * Valley GLBT organizations. "I ^rv-» r^r^N. .^J + ~ U ~. ,~ l~ ~ ~ 1 •£ XL. ! A!- - 1 Voter Information from PA-GALA Election Tuesday May 15, 2001 | * Will seek "creative funding sources" to re-establish funding for LEHIGH COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5 Allentown Human Relations Commission." Did not respond: Nicholas E. Englesson D., Kevin P. Ryan R * Founded Properties of Merit which is signed on to the Valley Free Press Anti-discrimination Statement. * PA-GALA Member. LEHIGH COUNTY EXECUTIVE * Has marched in Pride Parades. * Has openly gay and lesbian members on her campaign team. • Matthew T. Croslls D Endorsed by PA-GALA David A. Clark D * Did not respond to questionnaire, but sent statement that * Supports a non-discrimination policy for county employment included: "I support the position that sexual preference is a pri and county contracts that prohibits discrimination based on sex vate matter and should not be a factor in employment, benefits ual orientation. or housing." * Supports extending benefits to same-sex partners of county employees in positions where these benefits are extended to Bob Daday R the spouses of county employees. Did not respond to questionnaire. David K. Bausch R 4 Stated in a Morning Call article that the reason he became a Republican was "gays in the military ." 4 As a candidate for Mayor indicated he would not support anti 4 Stated in a Morning Call article (2001) that he had "nothing discrimination legislation which included sexual orientation. against gays and lesbians," but he believed it was illegal for 4 As a candidate for a variety of public offices in the past 4 112 people to be protected from discrimination based on sexual years, has flip-flopped 6 times on the issue of anti-discrimination. orientation. 4 As an Allentown City Council member refused to cosponsor the 4 Worked to remove anti-discrimination employment protections amendment to add sexual orientation to the City's Anti-discrimi for City employees (1999). nation Ordinance. 4 4 Lobbied City Council to oppose the amendment of sexual * Supports a non-discrimination policy for county employment orientation to the anti-discrimination Ordinance (1998). and county contracts that prohibits discrimination based on sex ual orientation. • Robert E. Smith Jr. R 4 Opposes extending benefits to same-sex partners of county Endorsed by PA-GALA employees in positions where these benefits are extended to the spouses of county employees. ** Will call on City Council to pass and will actively support the 4 Refused to attend or issue a proclamation for the Pride Festival. addition of sexual orientation to the City's Anti-discrimination Ordinance. • Jane R. Ervin R * Supports extending benefits to same-sex partners of city Endorsed by PA-GALA employees. ** As VP of Allentown Human Relations Commission helped lead * Supports a non-discrimination policy for county employment the effort to introduce anti-discrimination legislation to City and county contracts that prohibits discrimination based on sex Council. ual orientation. * As Allentown Human Relations Commissioner recommended a * "Having a strong gay and lesbian population is a real positive for gay rights activist for the annual AHRC award. economic development because companies know that all of * PA-GALA member. their employees will be accepted and happy in this community." * PA-GALA Rainbow Team supporter. VOTE TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2001 TAKE G & L VOTE 2001 WITH YOU TO THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY! GAY & LESBIAN VOTE PENNSYLVANIA GAY AND LESBIAN ALLIANCE for political action Voter Information from PA-GALA - Primary Election- Tuesday, May 15, 2001 ] I FHIftH milNTY POMMIQ^IDNFR AT I ARftF IneAnk D Mnhar D