LeftOut

Local Politics: Voting "No" on Prop Two
…and choosing a gay-friendly Chris Bell for mayor over a gay-friendly incumbent
By

This is a critical local election for gays and lesbians. We will help elect a mayor and decide whether Proposition Two will pass. With regard to Proposition Two, because of the confusing wording of the referendum, many individuals mistakenly believe that the proposition is an up or down vote on whether to grant domestic partner benefits to city employees now. That is not the issue that will be decided by the proposition. The proposition as worded will bar city council from ever granting domestic partner benefits to city employees. In other words, a vote in support of equality for gays and lesbians is a "no" vote on Proposition Two.

Speaking of equality, two of the three mayoral candidates–Mayor Brown and Chris Bell–are forthright about their support for equality for gays and lesbians. They both oppose Proposition Two. Orlando Sanchez, on the other hand, opposes domestic partner benefits and has endorsed Proposition Two. But let’s not waste any paper on Orlando. He’s so antigay he barely merits a mention.

Instead, let’s focus on Brown and Bell. By and large, leaders in the gay and lesbian community support Brown. And why wouldn’t they? He has an excellent record on gay and lesbian issues. After being elected to his first term, Brown issued an executive nondiscrimination order barring discrimination against gays and lesbians in city government. He later supported a nondiscrimination ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. Now, he is a vocal supporter of domestic partner benefits. Put simply, Brown gets it on GLBT issues and he always has.

Bell does not quite have Brown’s track record because he has not been mayor. But he, too, is a friend of the GLBT community. He supported the nondiscrimination ordinance without hesitation. And, unlike Carroll Robinson and some of the other council members, Bell did not try to water down the ordinance with amendments before voting for it. Recently, when asked in a televised debate about whether he supports Proposition Two, he said he did not because "It’s an initiative driven by hate." Well said.

With Brown’s track record, many gays and lesbians will hesitate to support Bell. They’ll insist that we "owe" Brown for his support of us. And, they’ll argue that it’s just not Bell’s turn, that he should have waited to run until Brown served three terms (the limit). But Bell didn’t have to wait to run for mayor and we don’t have to wait to support him. Moreover, while Bell might not have Brown’s track record on gay and lesbian issues yet, by vocally opposing Proposition Two, he has taken a position that can cost him votes and, potentially, the race.

Indeed, recent polls indicate Brown has 36 percent support, Sanchez has 19 percent, and Bell has about 15 percent. That leaves about 30 percent of voters in the undecided category, which means Brown is vulnerable. Brown appeals to traditionally liberal voters, including blacks and gays and lesbians. Sanchez is the most conservative, and will shore up conservative Republican voters. So, Bell must draw voters in the moderate/middle if he is going to out-poll Sanchez and get into a runoff with Brown.

Bell is well-positioned to draw moderate support. He’s fiscally more conservative than Brown, is well-connected to the business community, and is married to a Republican. But, by openly opposing Proposition Two, Bell risks alienating the very voters he must court to make the runoff. And that says something about whether he is truly committed to gay and lesbian equality. Specifically, it says that he’s willing to lose by taking a position just because it’s the right thing to do. What a concept! A politician that will take a stand even if it costs him the election.

I’ve supported Mayor Brown in the past because he’s been a friend to our community. But Chris Bell has an excellent record on gay and lesbian issues, too. He’s served two terms as a council member in an at-large position and he’s familiar with the way city government ought to work. He’s also demonstrated an ability to articulate solutions for problems that Brown has not solved in two full terms.

So, that’s why I’m voting "no" on Proposition Two and for Chris Bell for mayor. And if there’s a runoff, remember, it’s anybody but Orlando Sanchez.