2013 City Council Candidate Questionnaire

Candidate Information Full Name: Ydanis Rodriguez District Information District #: 10 Are you an incumbent? Yes If yes, when were you first elected? 2009 Campaign Information From which parties are you seeking a nomination: Democratic Full Name of Campaign Committee: People for Ydanis Additional Candidate Information Endorsements List here the union, organizations (community, civic, media, issue groups), and elected officials that have endorsed you. ACORN, Amsterdam News, Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat, Assemblyman and County Leader Denny Farrell, Assemblyman Keith Wright, C. Virginia Fields, Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, Congressman Charles Rangel, Congressman Jerry Nadler, Councilman John Liu, CWA Local 1, CW Local 1180, DC 37, Democratic Leader Mark Levine, Councilmember Inez Dickens, District Council of Carpenters, District Leader Maria Luna, Hotel Trades Council, IAFF, IAM Local 15 (Machinists), Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Mason Tenders, NYS Trial Lawyers Assn., PSC CUNY, SEIU 1199, SEIU 32 BJ, State Senator Bill Perkins, State Senator Eric Adams, State Senator Eric Schneiderman, State Senator Shirley Huntley, UFCW Local 1500, UFT, Working Families Party.

Candidate Experience - Please explain any activities and/or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to the LGBT movement. Since my early days as a grass roots organizer and activist, I have fought alongside the LGBT community to fight for equal rights for all. I have held firms believe that social justice issues and civil rights issues are a responsibility for of all of us especially those of us who have the privilege to hold office. - What experience do you have to demonstrate you are the best person to represent the district office you seek? Since my election, I have been dedicated to serving my community. I have served thousands of constituents who seek services in the areas of immigration, housing, and quality of life issues. I

have also stood firmly against injust budget cuts that disproportionally affect the working class. Legislatively, I have supported a number of legislation which aim to protect human rights, and civil rights. Most importantly I have been a fierce advocate of the issues that my constituency has brought to my attention such as, lack of affordable housing, lack of educational access, the need for job creation and development and health and disease prevention. 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? (Y/N If no, please explain) 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? (Y/N If no, please explain) 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? (Y/N If no, please explain) YES Please explain your position on using discretionary funds to support agencies like HASA. During my time at the council I have worked diligently as a member of the General Welfare committee to ensure that the policies at HASA are being developed to better help serve communities living with HIV/ AIDS. I have also stood in budget rallies calling for the budget for HASA not to be cut as these are crucial safety net services.
What actions do you think the City Council should be taking to provide

emergency housing for homeless people living with AIDS? First, there should be more funding available for emergency housing for the homeless. Second, there must be an avenue for HIV infected homeless

people to get specialized care in a safe shelter. No one should be turned away from vital services because of their status.
AIDS funding no longer corresponds to the demographics of which communities

represent the greatest number of HIV cases in NYC. Would you support yearly statistics of both the geographic areas where HIV is most prevalent and as well as which populations in those neighborhoods are most effected, and then allocate yearly funding to services and communities based on these results?

Absolutely. Effective use of money is important to combating HIV. Yearly statistics and updates on HIV infections in NYC are essential to knowing who needs our help the most, funding should be allocated to those who need it. In general, there need to be more uniform standards for allocation of city resources so that they are provided to the communities who most need them. 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. Ultimately, the character of a neighborhood falls upon the community, Community Board members should not have the right to shut down legal business interests. Local officials should try to mediate concerns and help the groups involved reach a respectful and mutually beneficial outcome. Clearer standards for passing or not passing applications should be adopted to make the process more transparent.
Please outline the criteria you would use in selecting Community Board

members.

I would seek to appoint community board members that are familiar with the neighborhood and have a history of community activity. I would also look for people who are familiar with democratic processes and have a history of civic involvement. 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? It is important to me that LGBT nightlife establishments receive the exact same treatment from City officials as any other business. There should be uniform

standards for the treatment of nightlife establishments. I am in favor of this resolution so long as it does not prevent real emergencies from being addressed.
Do you support reforming Stop-and-Frisk? Please detail any specific changes to the

program you believe are necessary. I have been a strong advocate for the Community Safety Act. I believe that in order for the NYPD to effectively police our communities they need to be trained to be sensitive to the individuals that they are charged with protecting. Since the early 90s I have been working with advocates to call on police reforms. I believe that the creation of an Inspector General over NYPD will have a positive impact on they way some NYPD officers have been conducting themselves. Profiling of any kind is unacceptable and I will continue to work to ensure policies are created to remedy this issue.
Do you oppose the use of condoms as evidence of prostitution in criminal cases?

Please explain your support or opposition. Yes, I oppose this practice. I have heard from many LGBT youth who are trying to do the right thing and be responsible by using condoms, that they have been unfairly targeted and arrested under the suspicion of prostitution. 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? (Y/N If no, please explain) YES
What will you do to expand access to services for runaway and homeless youth?
I will work to ensure that budget cuts do not proportionally affect these communities. I also sit on the Youth Services and General Welfare committees and I will be sure to work with my colleagues to ensure these services are protected.

LGBT Services and Funding:

The LGBT community has no direct funding for the arts from the NEA or other

funding sources because of institutional homophobia. Would your office help with funding for LGBT Arts? If yes, please explain how. YES
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? (Y/N If no, please explain) Yes I would work with the city and the Department of the Aging to help designate a portion of their funding for LGBT seniors.
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. I am open to providing funding to organizations who are working to serve our city and specifically my constituency. I am not opposed in any way to funding LGBT affiliated orgs.
What actions will you take to help support the LGBT community center in your

borough? If there is not an LGBT community center in your borough, what actions will you take to help develop one? Other:
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 elected? (Y/N If no, please explain) YES

Will you hire openly LGBT staff and/or designate a liaison to our communities if