2013 City Council Candidate Questionnaire

Candidate Information Full Name: Alexander R. Meadows District Information District #: 3 Are you an incumbent? No If yes, when were you first elected? Campaign Information From which parties are you seeking a nomination: Democrats Full Name of Campaign Committee: Alex for NYC

Additional Candidate Information Endorsements List here the union, organizations (community, civic, media, issue groups), and elected officials that have endorsed you. I have been endorsed by voting members of the district, community board 2 Treasurer, Secretary along with other board members. Various members from VID and Stonewall have also endorsed me. Candidate Experience

Please explain any activities and/or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to the LGBT movement. - In 2009, I was the NY Deputy Field Director for the National Equality March. We were able to mobilize over 5,000 people to attend. This was possible under the leadership of Jeff Campagna and with the involvement of Speaker Quinns office who helped organize our efforts. - I am currently a member of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) LGBT Council who serves as a source of intellectual and financial support as we work to continue strengthening the most diverse caucus in United States History and Win Back the House in 2014. - I am the only candidate who has written to the all the elected officials calling upon the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) to track allegations of police misconduct against the LGBT community and to include that data in its public records. I have attached the letter and press release.

- I was a member of LGBT for Obama where we went canvassing door to door in the swing state of Ohio, which was instrumental in President Obama winning the election. - I have and continue to volunteer for progressive LGBT candidates get elected not by being in the office but by being out in the field and engaging with the voters office. - What experience do you have to demonstrate you are the best person to represent the district office you seek? I have years of private sector experience along with years in the nonprofit sector with proven results. I am member of CB2 representing my community interests on crucial issues of development and planning, land use, zoning and city service deliveries. As a member of the NYPD Auxiliary in my district I assist in crime prevention and educational programs. In the private sector I have worked as an estate manager, a project manager, and healthcare management where I have proven to be a result driven, fact based leader. I have developed integrated marketing plans, managed multi million budgets that have always come in on time and created business plans based on accomplishing job specific goals. I have been resonpible for staffs of 20+ people and making sure that all aspects of their duties are met by effective leadership and providing them with the tools and resources to be successful. - Please detail any specific policy proposals you may have that will affect the LGBT community, that are not addressed in the next section. 1.Ending the Blood Ban In our Country, every 2 seconds someone needs blood.- American Red Cross I am calling for a change. Although this matter is handled at the federal level, part of the job as an effective legislator is to be able to work with those both in the state and DC, so we can apply pressure from the bottom up and remove this outdated ban. The number one reason donors give blood is because they want to help others. As a gay man, I want to help others as well. I should be able to donate blood. And here is why I should be allowed to donate life saving blood. All scientific data shows that the ban is misguided and dated. The motivation of the ban was due to the HIV/AIDS crisis and the FDA old risk model was based on inaccurate 1990s data before blood bank safety reforms were implemented. They now have better testing for HIV and the window period reduced from Months to Weeks or less, automated Quarantine Areas for New Blood- to prevent mix ups and increased FDA blood bank inspections every 2 years or less. Lifting this ban will bring over 220,000 pints of blood per year into the supply chain.

We need to ask more effective questions from donors based on Behavioral Risk Assessment monogamy vs. unprotected Sex, numerous partners and apply it equally to Heterosexuals and Homosexuals. We must acknowledge that HIV/AIDS is no longer the Gay Disease. We should ask all potential donors when was the last time they had an HIV/AIDS Test especially since the window period for results is weeks. The times have changed. You wonder, if this werent about gay men, would the rules be applied in the same way? The answer is no. We want to give life as well and the ban only hurts those in need of blood. The time to lift the ban is now! 2. Allow Surrogacy in NYS. As the laws are currently written all Surrogacy is illegal and this must change especially now that Gay couples can marry in NYS. I will work with our state elected officials ensuring we over turn this outdated and discriminatory law. 3. I will fight for the passage of the Gender Expression Non-discrimination Act (GENDA) by working to build a grass roots effort to educate and pressure state elected officials to pass this legislation and do so with the leadership of our State Senator Brad Hoylman.

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? (Y/N If no, please explain) Yes, I successfully worked with other activists to help build support across our state of marriage equality by holding rallies, getting petitions signed and pressuring state elected officials too vote for the passage of marriage equality.

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, even when DOMA is repealed, I will work with our state and federal officials in educating other state officials on the benefits to marriage equality for all. As a VID executive and gala member, I was part of the team who selected Roberta Kaplan highlighting her courage work in defeating DOMA in the Supreme Court.

Adoption:

Do you support full adoption rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples? (Y/N If no, please explain) Yes, but as I mentioned above, I will work to make sure Surrogacy becomes legal in the state.

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, I will strengthen the laws to make sure all protected and the best way to do this is to work with state elected officials too pass GENDA. 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. I believe this is the correct course of action but we should also be working with nonprofit and advocacy groups. And I will work with state elected officials to make sure that HASA and other LGBT programs get their fair share taxpayer funding. Also, I will work with state electeds to make sure HASA 30% rent cap bill gets enacted

What actions do you think the City Council should be taking to provide emergency housing for homeless people living with AIDS? The city council should always guarantee funding for the homeless people living with AIDS by lobbying both state and federal officials for additional funding. Furthermore, the council should partner with non-profit and advocacy groups to ensure we fill in the gaps where funding and resources fall short.

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? Yes, in addition I will to increase resources for evidence- based HIV prevention programs, so we can reduce the number of people becoming infected with HIV. Prevention is key!

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.

As a member of CB2, we have dealt with this issue head on. There is balance here where all parties involved concerns are herd and the right balance is struck. Bottom line there is no room for discrimination. One example, where a solution was reached was the pier on Christopher Street. A lot of LGBT youth were gathering late a night because they had nowhere else to go and residents of the neighborhood were complaining of noise and the number of LGBT youth in their neighborhood. So as part of the waterfront committee, we brought all effected parties to the table to work out a solution. Each side explained their side, concerns, and goals. So, we came up with a solution of having local dance, art, and thearte events, which the LGBT youth would be in, and the residents helped produce with the help of local businesses. There is always a solution it just has to be worked on with honesty, respect and transparency.

Please outline the criteria you would use in selecting Community Board members. I would pick residents from diverse backgrounds, work experience, qualifications and commitment to community service. And who will find this experience both challenging and rewarding.

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? First, I would make it clear that discrimination will have no place in these agencies, period. Then, I will strengthen laws to protect LGBT businesses and I would get rid of any laws that are harmful and discriminate against LGBT business. Last, I would hold workshops with all city enforcement agencies explaining the new laws and providing them all the tools and resources they will need to make sure that the laws are followed and applied equally to every business LGBT or straight.

Do you support reforming Stop-and-Frisk? Please detail any specific changes to the program you believe are necessary. I do support Stop and Frisk but do not support an Inspector General. Their just need to be clear rules of engagement and clear penalties for those officers who do not follow the rules making it clear that they will be in jeopardy of losing their jobs. We

need to take a look at what is working and what is not working and make the appropriate changes.

Do you oppose the use of condoms as evidence of prostitution in criminal cases? Please explain your support or opposition. I oppose the use of condoms as evidence The CCRB has seen an increase in complaints against the NYPD for profiling members of the LGBT community in New York City, where the mere possession of condoms is allegedly considered tantamount to prostitution by the NYPD. This is wrong and dangerous. Not to mention can cause the rapid spread of STDs. Read my press release to the CCRB for further information.

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 make sure we do everything possible to keep funding for them. I will look to see exactly in what areas we need more funding then I will work with non profit and advocacy groups that provide health and social services to LGBT youth to ensure more funding.

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, by setting aside some of the discretionary funds to set up programs. Also, more than ever we have LGBT business leaders through out all spectrums of the business world. I will partner with various businesses and advocacy groups to ensure grants and funding for LGBT arts.

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 in your district? (Y/N If no, please explain)

Yes, as our LGBT senior population continues to grow we must take of those who lead the way for so many of us! Across the country more and more LGBT senior housing facilities are opening up. The city should partner with these facilities to see how best to serve our LGBT seniors. In addition, I will work with state elected officials to support and promote Naturally occurring Retirement Communities and to expand New Yorks elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage.

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? (Y/N If no, please explain) N/A

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? I will make sure there is always a base line funding for the LGBT center on 13 streets. In addition, I will partner with businesses, non-profits and advocacy groups for grants, funding, and programs such as educational and social programs.

Other: Please state concrete achievements for the LGBT community that you are responsible for in your current, or previous, elected office/s. N/A since Im not in office.

Have you endorsed any LGBT candidates? Which ones? Not yet

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? PROUDLY!

Will you hire openly LGBT staff and/or designate a liaison to our communities if elected? (Y/N If no, please explain) YES YES YES!