Richmond Regional Candidates’ Forum

Richmond Regional Candidates’ Forum - Sept. 30, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Above, watch the entire meeting. The forum opened with comments from Jay Squires, President, Gay Community Center of Richmond and Jon Blair, Equality Virginia. The forum was moderated by Kathy Benham of Benham Consulting.

September 30, 2009
7pm to 9pm
Gay Community Center of Richmond
Richmond, VA 23220

One of the first candidate forums of the 2009 campaign season.

Candidates present: Robert N. Barnette, Jr. [55th District], James O. Towey [56th District], Lashrecse D. Jones, Representing Delegate Rosalyn R. Dance [63rd District], William K. "Bill" Grogan [68th District], Henry Otis Brown [70th District], Delores McQuinn [70th District], Jennifer McClellan [71st District], Silver Persinger [71st District], Jimmie P. Massie, III [72nd District], Tom J. Shields [73rd District], Joe D. Morrissey [74th District]

Sponsoring Organizations

Equality Virginia
Fan Free Clinic
Gay Community Center of Richmond
Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) of Richmond
Gay Pride Virginia
LGBT Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party
Log Cabin Republicans of Virginia
Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond
Mothers and Others
PFLAG Richmond
People of Faith for Equality in Virginia
Richmond Lesbian Feminists
ROSMY
Virginia Organizing Project
Virginia Partisans Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club

Below, watch opening remarks from the candidates.

Candidates' Opening Remarks at Forum - Sept. 30, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Questions were offered to candidates prior to the forum. The question are presented below.

1. Do you believe that employees of state and local government should be protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in state and local employment? Will you co-patron and support legislation (like HB 2385, 2008) to ban such discrimination?

2. Do you believe that GLBT people should be protected from violence directed at them because of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression? Will you co-patron and support legislation to extend Virginia’s hate violence law to include such violence?

3. Do you believe that students should be able to form Gay Straight Alliances in Virginia public and private schools that strive to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression? Will you oppose legislation that seeks to ban such organizations in schools?

4. Do you support comprehensive training for all Virginia youth and family service providers and Family Life Education and guidance programs in public schools that offer age-appropriate, medically accurate, evidence based information on sexuality, tolerance, homosexuality, gender identity, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS?

5. Do you believe that GLBT couples should have equal rights to government recognized marriage and all of its benefits, some other form of relationship recognition, or no legal recognition? Please explain your position and the reasons for it. Will you support repeal of all or part of the constitutional amendment banning any and all relationship recognition, including recognizing lawful marriages entered into in other states? Please explain your position and the reasons for it.

Written questions from the audience.