Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City

Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

Rosie Mendez

Candidate Information Full Name:

Do you currently hold elected office? Yes If yes, when were you first elected? 2005 Campaign Information From which parties are you seeking a nomination: Democrats and Working Families Party Full Name of Campaign Committee: Rosie Mendez 2013 Additional Candidate Information Endorsements List here the union, organizations (community, civic, media, issue groups), and elected officials that have endorsed you. Partial list of endorsements. List in formation. Congressmembers Nydia Velazquez, Carolyn Maloney and Jerry Nadler State Senators Brad Hoylman and Liz Krueger Assemblywoman Deborah Glick CoDA, VID, VRDC, Lower East Side Democratic Club, Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club Working Families Party, SEIU 1199, International Operating Engineers Local 94, United Fire Officers Association, UAW CAP Union 9 Candidate Experience - Please explain any activities and/or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to the LGBT movement. I ran as an out candidate and Ive worked to elect other out candidates in NYC. In 1986, as a college intern, I worked on passage of the NYC Gay Civil Rights bill and, in 2002 as the Chief of Staff to Councilwoman Margarita Lopez, I worked to amend the law to include gender identity. As an out Councilwoman, Ive sponsored and co-sponsored a variety of legislation advancing the rights of the LBGT community, as well as worked with my city/state colleagues to make marriage a reality for same sex couples. Additionally, I assisted in organizing a coalition of Latino elected officials to silence the voice of Bronx state senator--Reverend Ruben Diaz. - What experience do you have to demonstrate you are the best person to represent the office you seek? In 2009, I was re-elected with approximately 84% of the vote. I have been a consistent voice on the issues that are important to my constituents such as the preservation of affordable housing and public education, as well as an outspoken advocate for the civil rights of women, people of color and the LGBT community.

- Please detail any specific policy proposals you may have that will affect the LGBT community, that are not addressed in the next section. We need to pass comprehensive transgender rights legislation at the city and state level. Additionally, we need to have a multi-prong approach to combatting anti-gay bias and violence.

Policy Positions Please answer the following questions in full, using your policy proposals and including specific examples of your previous actions on any given topic when possible. Marriage Do you support full marriage equality for same-sex couples? Yes

Will you work with New Yorks congressional delegation to support the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act? Yes

Adoption: Do you support full adoption rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples? Yes Human Rights Do you support equal rights and treatment for people of transgender experience in the New York Shelter System, both adult shelters and youth shelters? Yes

Will you work with the New York State Legislature to support the passage of the Gender Expression NonDiscrimination Act? Yes

HIV/AIDS In 2011, Mayor Bloomberg proposed cutting 248 case managers and millions in rental assistance from the HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA). Individual legislators ended up using discretionary funds to fill the gap. Do you support increased funding for the HASA? Yes Please explain your position on using discretionary funds to support agencies like HASA. It is my belief that this is an essential service that needs to be base-lined in the budget. I would fight to have it base-lined. I dont have a lot of discretionary funding so it doesnt seem feasible to allocate discretionary funding that would have an impact. My discretionary allocations range from $3,500 to $7,500 per organization, but I would do it if collectively it would be enough to save a position or two. Do you support re-creating the Mayors AIDS Policy Office, Which was eliminated under Mayor Bloomberg? Yes

Community Boards: Many Community Boards routinely oppose applications for liquor licenses in their areas, particularly if the proposed venue is tailored to appeal to the LGBT community. Please explain your position on the appropriate balance between support for nightlife, minority communities and respect for neighborhood concerns. The community boards issue advisory opinions that the SLA will take into consideration when issuing a license. In my district, there is a proliferation of nightlife establishments, but each establishment should be evaluated on its record. I believe that community boards can decide if certain streets or avenues are subject to a moratorium. However, these moratorium zones should not go on ad infinitum. These areas should be reevaluated and voted on again otherwise the moratorium should sunset after one or two years. NYPD

The NYPD often targets bars, restaurants and clubs serving the LGBT community for increased scrutiny. They have used health code violations, allegations of drug use or sale, allegations of prostitution, allegations of serving minors, and a myriad of tools at their disposal. What changes would you implement to ensure LGBT institutions are treated equally by enforcement agencies? If its a matter of enforcement, then it would come down to meeting with the agencies and the commissioners to ensure that enforcement measures are applied in a standard uniform manner. If the problem continues to exist, then there needs to be and I would demand a change in supervisors or commissioners. Do you support reforming Stop-and-Frisk? Please detail any specific changes to the program you believe are necessary. Stop and Frisk is a valid police tool well grounded in constitutional law. However, under this Mayoral administration, I believe a majority of the Stop and Frisk would not pass constitutional muster based on Ive been told and have witnessed in my community. There needs to be trainings on the proper manner and the legal rationales of conducting stops. Moreover, these training should be mandated every one or two years for everyone who is in the field. Do you oppose the use of condoms as evidence of prostitution in criminal cases? Please explain your support or opposition. Yes, I oppose the use of condoms as evidence since this policy incentivizes not carrying condoms. If someone is not carrying condoms, then that individual is unprepared to practice safer sex and therefore is at risk.

Runaway and Homeless Youth Will you support increasing the funding for both emergency shelter beds and transitional beds for homeless youth, a huge percentage of whom are from the LGBT community and will you pledge to support capital and expense funding for programs serving this population? Yes

What will you do to expand access to services for runaway and homeless youth? I will advocate for funding to create additional shelter beds and the social services needed for this vulnerable population, as well as outreach workers who can identify homeless individuals and place them in programs for permanent housing.

LGBT Services and Funding: The LGBT community is in great need of senior housing for many of our aging population. Many seniors experience homophobia in senior facilities making them feel they must be closeted. Would you help with the funding of senior housing for the LGBT community? Yes

If you are currently in office, have you made member item grants or supported LGBT funding requests? If seeking office for the first time, would you give strong consideration to LGBT social service organizations seeking funding from your office if elected? Please explain your position. Yes, Ive allocated my discretionary funding to various LBGT organizations such as MCC, PFLAG, HMI and the Transgender Legal Defense Fund to name a few. Ive worked with my colleagues as part of the LGBT Caucus to ensure Speaker funding for LGBT organizations located in each and every borough. What actions will you take to help support the LGBT community centers that currently exist, and what actions will you take to help develop one in each borough? The LGBT Caucus has recommended and secured Speaker funding for the Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Staten Island LGBT Community Center and LGBT Center in Manhattan. When the Bronx Community Pride Center was open, the Speaker and I provided discretionary funding. In my first legislative term, I recommended and secured Speaker funding for Queens Pride House. I believe we

have a responsibility to create another LGBT center in the Bronx, as well as to strengthen the Queens Pride House. Other: Please state concrete achievements for the LGBT community that you are responsible for in your current, or previous, elected office/s. I stood up against the police falsely targeting and charging gay men with prostitution. Below is a sampling of legislation that Ive sponsored or co-sponsored during this legislative session in the City Council: (Res. 895-2011) Prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. (Res. 905-2011) Urging the US Dept of Homeland Security to investigate abuse allegations and take action to ensure the safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender immigrants in the custody of the US Dept of Homeland Security. (Res. 1099-2011) Mandate the NYC Dept OF Health and Mental Hygiene to repeal the requirement that transgender individuals obtain corrective surgery prior to altering the sex designation on their birth certificate. (Res. 1244-2012) All medical professional to treat and provide appropriate health care services to transgender persons. (Res. 1961-2009) President Obama to issue and Executive Order that would prohibit discrimination in federally assisted housing on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. (Res. 758-2011) Dept of Education to implement a curriculum and to acquire textbooks and trade books that include key moments in LGBT history and accurately portray the contributions of LGBT individuals in the history of the U.S.

Have you endorsed any LGBT candidates? Which ones? At this moment, I have not made endorsements. If endorsed will you display the endorsement of the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC in your literature whenever you list other endorsements and will you display the endorsement on your website? Yes Will you hire openly LGBT staff and/or designate a liaison to our communities if elected? Yes, I have and I do