Tamir Nolley DFL Stonewall Questionnaire

 

(Note: Tamir Nolley was not screened by Stonewall. He voluntarily submitted his answers to the Minneapolis-Issues Candidate toolkit. He writes, “I am new to the political system and, although I tried to contact Stonewall for screening info, did not get the information until after Stonewall had already screened.)

 

Please answer yes or no:

 

1. Yes or no, do you support legal protections for Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Trans gender (GLBT) citizens in the areas of:

  1. Employment?  Yes
  2. Housing?  Yes
  3. Education?  Yes
  4. Public services? Yes

 

 2. Yes or no, do you support transsexual and intersexual inclusion in protections in the area of:

  1. Employment?  Yes
  2. Housing?  Yes
  3. Education?  Yes
  4. Public services?  Yes

 

3. Yes or no, do you support continuing the present levels of funding for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, as well as for services to those living with HIV/AIDS?

 

 Yes (and possibly increasing those funds depending on how much is in the budget)

 

4. Yes or no, do you support a woman's right to control her own reproductive system, including the right to have an abortion?

 

Yes

 

 5. Yes or no, do you support affirmative action programs for women, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities? 

 

Yes

 

6. Yes or no, do you support rescinding the Minnesota consensual sodomy law?

 

Yes

 

7. MPLS/St. Paul candidates, yes or no, if endorsed, would you list the Caucus' endorsement along with your other endorsements? 

 

Yes

 

8. Yes or no, if you are not endorsed, will you run against the DFL-endorsed candidate?? 

 

I would point out that this race is a non-partisan election. Aside from winning this election, our secondary mission is to engage those who feel disenfranchised from the political process.  In order to do that, I need to run throughout this race, regardless of who is endorsed by the DFL.

 

9. Yes or no, do you support the inclusion of GLBT individuals in state protective legislation against hate crimes?

 

Yes

 

10. Yes or no, do you support the use of tax dollars to assist in the implementation of GLBT sensitivity and support programs in social services and schools, especially for our youth?

 

Absolutely

 

The screening will consist of the following questions:

 

11. Who or what is your support base?

 

I belike that our support base is broad including, but not limited to, people who have been victims of excessive police force and police brutality, young people, immigrants and those who consider themselves part of the counter-culture.

 

12. What experience have you had with GLBT issues?  Are these issues important to you; if so, why? 

 

Several of my closest friends are gay, as a driver and dispatcher for Rainbow Taxi, we serve many gay oriented bars downtown such as the 90's and the 19.  Many of our best customers are gay.  Also one of the people working on the campaign is a gay activist and provides me with a lot of information on GLBT issues.

 

13. How do you define homophobia?

 

Homophobia is the irrational fear of homosexuality.  Is is also a term used to describe prejudice against gay people.  Personally, I would say that homophobia is another word for cowardice.

 

14. What tactics will you undertake to combat anti-GLBT extremism?

 

I think the best work can be done through education and exposure, as well as strengthening hate crimes ordinances and using the bully pulpit of the city council office I'll have, beyond that I'm open to suggestions.

 

15. What do you see as the best strategy at the local level for achieving benefits and protections for GLBT families in:

 

1. Adoption?

 

2. Foster child placement?

 

3. Marriage for same-sexed couples?

 

In all three cases I think the best way to accomplish the goals is through education and exposure.  As a single father, I am a supporter of gay families being able to raise children, and I am also a supporter of same-sex marriage, but I'm not really sure how to go about making this a reality at the city level.  I would certainly welcome any suggestions

 

16. What do you want to accomplish as an elected official?

 

1.) Stop incidents of police brutality, excessive police force and police harassment. 2.) Protect the environment from corporate welfare projects. 3.) Create more low-income and affordable housing. 4.) Protect our cultural infrastructure, including immigrants, the counter-culture and the GLBT community from city harassment. 5.) Address the needs of homeless children and related children's issues. 6.) Help bring back a citizen government that is accountable to its constituents.

 

Tamir Nolley

Candidate for Mpls City Council, Ward 6

Mpls 6th Ward City Council Campaign | Hop on the Nolley Trolley ! | http://www.nolleytrolley.org