Audience questions
Paul is asking about LGBT representation in the NYS Assembly and Senate, regardless of party affiliation — how to do this and whether or not it can be sufficient to make changes in government and the state overall. Mr. Squadron, as I understand it, responded that party affiliation does matter (i.e., a cohesive Democratic majority is needed to make the change necessary to improve the financial situation, marriage equality, etc.) and Mr. Chromczak responded that visible LGBT representation matters more, because, for example, issues like marriage equality have been misrepresented as a partisan issue (i.e., Democrats for and Republicans against).
Audience members are asking about SUNY tuition rates and candidates’ positions on unrestricted rights to abortion and expansion of the prison system. Mr. Squadron responded that he supports a woman’s right to choose, which means all women should have full access to services, and supports expanding education, job preparedness, etc., rather than prison system expansion. Mr. Chromczak responded that closing prisons will take jobs and that selling drugs, but not addiction, merits imprisonment. With respect to abortion, he responded that women need real options also for carrying pregnancies to term and giving children up for adoption, and his personal position is pro-life. Another audience member asked about candidates’ positions on homelessness, mental health, senior citizens and people with disabilities. Mr. Squadron responded that effectively addressing all these issues requires an active government with resources dedicated to them. Mr. Chromczak responded that he would prioritize mental health issues if he were elected.
Tonight’s forum closes with Assembly Member and Incumbent Deborah Glick (D, District 66). Assembly Member Glick opened with comments on the issues and history in the U.S. on access to reproductive health and choice for women, criminalization of drug use that disproportionately targets poor people and/or people of color, the increased investment in NYS in the prison system and a corresponding decreased investment in higher education, and her support for expanding energy research and sustainable options, supporting LGBT youth and a progressive income tax structure.
An audience member asked Assembly Member Glick about her position on increased penalties for hate crimes; her response was that she believes that intent does matter when it comes to hate crimes and that it’s not about just the individual, but terrorizing a whole community. The follow up question was that, if the criminal justice system disproportionately targets people of color and poor people, why won’t enhancing penalties for hate crimes reinforce this trend? Another audience member asked about including LGBT people in NYS demographic data collection to determine the needs and document whether or not existing services are really addressing the needs we are currently trying to meet. Assembly Member Glick responded that she thinks we’re moving in that direction.
Ater a quick wrap-up, we are now preparing to watch the presidential debate — come join us if you can!
