2013CityCouncilCandidateQuestionnaire

CandidateInformation FullName:HelenK.Rosenthal Address:225West83rdStreet,Apt.4KNewYork,NY10024 PersonalPhone:(917)9231019 WorkPhone:sameasabove PersonalEmail:Rosenthal.Helen@gmail.com DistrictInformation District#:6thDistrict Areyouanincumbent?No Ifyes,whenwereyoufirstelected? CampaignInformation Fromwhichpartiesareyouseekinganomination:DemocraticParty FullNameofCampaignCommittee:HelenRosenthalForCityCouncil CampaignHQAddress:225West83rdStreet,Apt.4KNewYork,NY10024 HQPhone:(917)7467729 HQFax: CampaignManagerName:AhmedTigani ManagersCell:(718)3129105 ManagersEmail:Ahmed@HelenRosenthal.com PleasereturntoRobertAtterburyatRobert.Atterbury@gmail.combyApril15,2013, withSDNYCQuestionnaire[CandidateName]asthesubject. AdditionalCandidateInformation Endorsements Listheretheunion,organizations(community,civic,media,issuegroups),andelectedofficialsthat haveendorsedyou.

NYSAssemblywomanDeborahGlick NYSSenatorLizKrueger District6CityCouncilwomanRonnieEldridge(19892001) BarbaraTurk LaborleaderEdOtt AmalgamatedTransitUnion,Local1700

 AmalgamatedTransitUnion,Local1179 HeatandFrostInsulators,Local12 GloriaSteinem

CandidateExperience Pleaseexplainanyactivitiesand/orexperiencesthatdemonstrateyourcommitmenttotheLGBT movement.

ImproudofmyprofessionalandpersonaleffortstosupporttheLGBTcommunity. Professional:Ioversawallthehealthcarebudgetsincityhallduring3mayoral administrations.Iwasinapositiontoincreaseaccesstohealthcareservices,including fundingforHIV/AIDSandTBtreatmentduringthe80sand90s.Ifoughtto maintainandincreasefundingforDepartmentofHealthSTDclinicsandcontractswith providerssuchasGMHCfourtimeseachyear.WhentheTBcrisishit,Ifoughtfor additionalfundsfortheHIV/AIDScommunity.Idevelopedandimplementeda financingmechanismtofundadditionalpublichealthcarecentersthroughoutlow incomecommunitiesinNYCandNYS.Thesecentershaveincreasedaccessto primaryhealthcareforLGBTminoritiesandlowincomeindividuals. Afterleavingthebudgetoffice,Iconsultedfortheagency(nowPublicHealth Solutions)whichdeterminedtheallocationofRyanWhitefunds.Ihelpedthemdevelop thetoolsnecessaryforallocatingresourcesaswellasapplyingforadditionalfunding. Personal:Ivemarchedintheprideparadeforthepast5years,proudlystandingup forLGBTQrights(checkoutmypersonalFBpage).
Whatexperiencedoyouhavetodemonstrateyouarethebestpersontorepresentthedistrict officeyouseek?

Duringmytimeworkingasapublicservant(AssistantDirectorforHealthintheCity HallBudgetOffice),servingasamemberandChairofCommunityBoard7,and volunteeringwithlocalnonprofits,I'veadvocatedforimprovingthelivesofworkers andfamiliesontheUpperWestSideandthroughoutourCity.Ibelieveina commonsenseroadmaptomakingourCitygrowforallNewYorkersintheyears aheadwhichmirrorstheworkthatIvedoneonabroadrangeofissuesoverthepast 25years. ThenextCityCouncilmustbelaserfocusedonjobsustainabilityandjobcreation.Ata timewhenwefaceCitybudgetshortfallsinthebillionsofdollars,wecannotaccept ongoingcutstoourCityservices.AsaCityCouncilwomanIhavetheskillsand experiencetorootoutwasteingovernmentandcutunneededtaxbreakstoensure

thatfundsareavailableformuchneededcityservices.Wehavetostimulatethe economybyinvestingininfrastructureandourworkers.AsAssistantDirectorfor HealthinthetheOfficeofManagementandBudgetduringtheDinkinsadministration, IhelpedtocreateafundingmechanismforthePrimaryCareDevelopment Corporation,anetworkofprimaryhealthcarefacilities,ultimatelyhelpingtofinance 90centersinlowincomecommunitiesandcreating2,300livingwagejobsacrossthe State. HereontheUpperWestSide,ParentJobNet,whoseBoardIChair,providesjob trainingandcareerresourcesforpublicschoolparentslookingforwork.Eachyearwe helpabout75parentstrainforandfindjobs. Secondlyweneedtodomoretosupportourpublicschools.Isuccessfullyadvocated foradditionalpublicschoolseatswhichresultedinthecreationofPS452(nowinits thirdyear)andPS/IS342whichwillbebuiltinthefirsthighrisetogoupatRiverside Center.TheCitycannotacceptunderfundedandovercrowdedpublicschools. Furthermoreourschoolsmustbegivenmoresupportwithinthecurriculumtoprovide studentswiththekindofwellroundededucationthatexposesthemtothearts,social sciencesandadeeperunderstandingofthediversebackgroundsthatmakeuptheir communities. Third,citygovernmentneedstodoallitcantosupportandincreaseaffordable housing.MyworkontheUWSincludessuccessfullyfightingtomaintainMitchell Lamastatusfortwobuildings.Weneedtoincludeaffordablehousinginallofthenew highriseresidentialdevelopments.Wealsoneedtoincreaseourprotectionsfor NYCHAtenantsandresidentsofsupportivehousing.Iamcommittedtousingmy knowledgeoftheCitysbudgettodevelopnewfundingstreamstosupportingthese objectives. IbelieveindefendingthecivilrightsforallNewYorkers.TheCitymustdoallitcan tofacilitateaccesstoopportunitiesfortheDreamersandpushforadditionalFederal immigrationreformtoprotectandenhancethelivesofthosewhochosetoliveinNYC. Wemuststoptheoveruseandabuseofstopandfrisk.(seeanswers,below)Lastly, IveworkedtosupportthereproductivehealthandfreedomofwomenasaBoard MemberofNARALProChoiceAmerica(20022010).

PleasedetailanyspecificpolicyproposalsyoumayhavethatwillaffecttheLGBTcommunity, thatarenotaddressedinthenextsection.

Supporttransgenderequalityacrosstheboardinalllaws. SupportanendtotheexistingNYSbanoncontractualsurrogacyforLGBT parents.

 Eliminatethecurrent,onerousthresholdrequirementscurrentlyinplaceto applyforandbegrantedachangeofgenderonbirthcertificates.
PolicyPositions Pleaseanswerthefollowingquestionsinfull,usingyourpolicyproposalsandincludingspecific examplesofyourpreviousactionsonanygiventopicwhenpossible. Marriage Doyousupportfullmarriageequalityforsamesexcouples?(Y/NIfno,pleaseexplain)

Yes
WillyouworkwithNewYorkscongressionaldelegationtosupporttherepealoftheDefense ofMarriageAct?(Y/NIfno,pleaseexplain)

Yes
Adoption: Doyousupportfulladoptionrightsforlesbian,gay,bisexualandtransgendercouples?(Y/NIf no,pleaseexplain)

Yes
HumanRights DoyousupportequalrightsandtreatmentforpeopleoftransgenderexperienceintheNew YorkShelterSystem,bothadultsheltersandyouthshelters?(Y/NIfno,pleaseexplain)

Yes
HIV/AIDS In2011,MayorBloombergproposedcutting248casemanagersandmillionsinrentalassistance fromtheHIV/AIDSServicesAdministration(HASA).Individuallegislatorsendedupusing discretionaryfundstofillthegap. DoyousupportincreasedfundingfortheHASA?(Y/NIfno,pleaseexplain)

Yes.IwouldsupportincreasedfundingtoHASAandensuringthatthesufficientfunds areallocatedtofullymeettheneedsofparticipants.BloombergscuttoHASAis unnecessary,shortsighted,andheartless.

PleaseexplainyourpositiononusingdiscretionaryfundstosupportagencieslikeHASA.

WhentheMayorfailstorecognizethedamageinflictedbyfundingcutstovital services,particularlyforthosepopulationswithspecialneedsinaccessingand maintainingtheirgovernmentbenefits,theCityCouncilmustactasthelastwallof defenseforensuringthatthepublicneedisadequatelyfundedthroughdiscretionary funds.Howeveritisimportanttosaythatthispatternofstopgapmeasuresistheleast efficientsolutionforensuringthatparticipantswillhavethecounselandmaterial supportavailabletoprogressforwardintheirtreatments.Thisoversightultimately diminishingourinvestmentinhelpingimprovetheirhealthandcondition.Thatiswhy moreIwillargueformorestabilityandprogrammaticfundingtobebasedlined directlyintothebudget.
WhatactionsdoyouthinktheCityCouncilshouldbetakingtoprovideemergencyhousingfor homelesspeoplelivingwithAIDS?

IncreasingaccesstoemergencyhousingforallhomelessNewYorkersshouldbeatop priorityofthenextcouncilgiventheunprecedentednumberofmen,womenand childrenwhoarecurrentlywithoutstablehomes.Morespecifically,forthose strugglingwithHIV/AIDStheavailabilityofemergencyhousingisasignificant predictorofhealthoutcomesthattypicallyresultinaccesstopropernutrition,medical attention,andreducedstressallfactorsinkeepingHIVviralcountslowandCD4 countshigh.AsacomponenttotheCitysoverallHIV/AIDStreatmentstrategy,we shouldbeusingtheCityagenciestoincreaseavailableunitsbyresearchingtheimpact ofprovidingheightandbulkbonusesforresidentialconstructionthatinclude HIV/AIDSsupportivehousingorissuingsocialimpactbondstobacksupportive housingdevelopersinpubliclandauctionsorganizedbyDepartmentofCitywide AdministrativeServices.Regulatoryactioncanincludereviewingeligibility requirementsandprocessingprotocolsthroughpublichearingtoreduceanybarriersto accessforparticipants.Ourannualbudget,coupledwithfederaldollarsapprovedby theRyanWhiteCareActandHOPWAprogram,shouldreflectaseriouscommitment togivinghomelessNewYorkerslivingwithAIDS,asafehaventoproperlytreattheir conditionwiththeintentionofsecuringpermanenthousinginthenearfuture.
AIDSfundingnolongercorrespondstothedemographicsofwhichcommunitiesrepresentthe greatestnumberofHIVcasesinNYC.Wouldyousupportyearlystatisticsofboththegeographic areaswhereHIVismostprevalentandaswellaswhichpopulationsinthoseneighborhoodsare mosteffected,andthenallocateyearlyfundingtoservicesandcommunitiesbasedonthese results?

Yes.80%ofnewHIV+diagnosesareBlackorHispanic,butoursystemisstill orientedtowardsHIV+patientsbeingpredominantlywhiteandatleastmiddleincome (http://www.cityjournal.org/2012/eon0412kh.html).Weshouldharnessstatisticsto guideourbudgetarydecisions,sothatthosethatneedservicesthemostreceivethem.

CommunityBoards: ManyCommunityBoardsroutinelyopposeapplicationsforliquorlicensesintheirareas, particularlyiftheproposedvenueistailoredtoappealtotheLGBTcommunity.Pleaseexplain yourpositionontheappropriatebalancebetweensupportfornightlife,minoritycommunitiesand respectforneighborhoodconcerns.

AsaformerChairofManhattansCommunityBoard7,Igainedinvaluableexperience balancingthenuancedandcompetinginterestsofresidents,businessesandinterested thirdpartieswhenitcametodiscussingthelicensingfornewestablishmentsonthe UpperWestSide.Tobeginwith,noapplicationshouldeverbedeniedbasedonthe communitytheycatertoandasIhavesuccessfullydoneinthepast,Iwillbring interestedpartiestogethertodiscussanylegitimateconcernsandworkwithall participantstofindanamicablesolution. IunderstandthatthisissueisparticularlyworrisomeinCommunityBoard4andwillbe vigilanttoensurediscriminationagainsttheLGBTcommunitydoesnothappen.

PleaseoutlinethecriteriayouwoulduseinselectingCommunityBoardmembers.

Asacommunityboardmemberof13yearsappointedbyCouncilwomanRonnie Eldridge(whohassinceendorsedmycandidacy)andformertwotermBoardChair,I haveadistinctadvantageatbeingabletorecommendappropriatecandidates.Ive participatedinandestablishedmanyofthecommitteesthattackleimportantissuesof communityconcern.AsCouncilwoman,Iwouldlookforapplicantswhopossessa strongrecordofneighborhoodinvolvement,bringwiththemexpertiseandskillsthat helpadvancetherecommendationsvotedonbytheboard,andexhibitacommitmentto gettingtheirownneighborsandfriendsinvolvedorinformedabouttheboards activities.Mostimportantly,applicantsneedtobedemonstratedgoodlisteners.

NYPD TheNYPDoftentargetsbars,restaurantsandclubsservingtheLGBTcommunityfor increasedscrutiny.Theyhaveusedhealthcodeviolations,allegationsofdruguseorsale, allegationsofprostitution,allegationsofservingminors,andamyriadoftoolsattheirdisposal. WhatchangeswouldyouimplementtoensureLGBTinstitutionsaretreatedequallyby enforcementagencies?

Thereisneveranexcusetotargetacommunitybasedontheirsexualorientation,and theNYPDshouldneverfeelauthorizedtoopenlydiscriminateorintimidatemembers oftheLGBTcommunity,anactionwhichbetraystheiroathandourtrust.Ifincidents

arereported,Iwilldemandthatatminimumanyofficerimplicatedintheharassmentof LGBTcustomersorbusinessownersbesuspendedandmadetosuccessfullycomplete LGBTsensitivityandeducationaltrainingliketheprogramprovidedbyCallenLorde CommunityHealthCenterbeforereturningbacktoactiveduty.Additionalstepswould includepushingprecinctcaptainsandcommunityaffairofficerstobuildstrongerbonds withLGBTemployeesandbusinessproprietorssothatoutcomescanbeachievedto improverelationsbetweenofficers,residentsandowners.

DoyousupportreformingStopandFrisk?Pleasedetailanyspecificchangestotheprogram youbelievearenecessary.

ThePoliceDepartmentscurrentstrategyofaggressive,quotadrivenlawenforcement doesmoreharmtoourcitythanitdoesgood.Courtshavesustainedclaimsthatthis policyhasproducedthousandsofbaseless,unwarrantedstopsincommunitiesofcolor anddisregardsbasicconstitutionalrightstounlawfulsearchandseizure.The emotionaltollonthethousandswhoarestoppedrangefromhumiliationtodeep resentment.Inthelongterm,stopandfriskhasandwillcontinuetobuildbarriersof distrustandanimositybetweentheofficerswatchingoverourcommunitiesandthe residentstheyarechargedtoprotect.AsaProgressivememberoftheCityCouncil,I wouldstronglysupportlegislationandcouncilactiontocurbthisexcessiveabuseof policepowerandprotectNewYorkersfromthethreatofunwarrantedsearchesthat manyofthemcurrentlyliveunder. SpecificactionsIwouldtakeincludelendingmyfullsupporttotheCommunitySafety Act.Thefourbillsundertheumbrellaofthisactarerealistic,reasonableand responsibleactionsourPoliceDepartmentshouldadopttoreversetheharmfuleffects ofyearofourstopandfriskpolicy.
Doyouopposetheuseofcondomsasevidenceofprostitutionincriminalcases?Pleaseexplain yoursupportoropposition.

IopposetheuseofcondomsasevidenceinprostitutioncasesandIwouldstrongly supportNewYorkStateBillS1379/A2736inanywaythatIcan.Usingcondomsas evidencehasterribleconsequencestopublichealthandthesafetyofthoseengagingin consensualsex.Thepoliceshouldneverdetertheuseofcondoms,especiallyamong thosethataremostatriskforcontractingsexuallytransmitteddiseases.

RunawayandHomelessYouth Willyousupportincreasingthefundingforbothemergencyshelterbedsandtransitionalbeds forhomelessyouth,ahugepercentageofwhomarefromtheLGBTcommunityandwillyou pledgetosupportcapitalandexpensefundingforprogramsservingthispopulation?(Y/NIfno, pleaseexplain)

Yes.
Whatwillyoudotoexpandaccesstoservicesforrunawayandhomelessyouth?

Similartomyconsistentadvocacyforthestudentsinmydistrict,asNYCCity Councilwoman,Iwillusemybudgetexperiencetofindwaystoresponsiblyincrease fundingforatriskyouth.Itiscriticalthatwedoallthatwecantogetyouthinschool wheretheybelong,andinhealthyhomeenvironmentsthatdonotpresentthekindsof threatsthattoooftenforceyouthtoriskthestreets.

LGBTServicesandFunding: TheLGBTcommunityhasnodirectfundingfortheartsfromtheNEAorotherfundingsources becauseofinstitutionalhomophobia.WouldyourofficehelpwithfundingforLGBTArts?Ifyes, pleaseexplainhow.

Yes,Ibelievethattheartsisanimportantoutletforexpressingthehistoryandhopes ofanycommunityofinteresttotherestofthegeneralpublic.Weshouldbelookingfor waystofosterthosestoriesandtalentfinanciallysothattheLGBTcommunitymay haveaccesstoartisticsupport,especiallyifthefinalproductenhancesawarenessand understanding.Workingundertheguidanceofmoreknowledgeablenonprofitpartners, IwouldbeexcitedtofindwaystoseeingmoreLGBTartiststhriveinourCity. Obviously,givenmyOMBexperience,IwillfindwaystoidentifyfundingintheCitys budget.

TheLGBTcommunityisingreatneedofseniorhousingformanyofouragingpopulation. Manyseniorsexperiencehomophobiainseniorfacilitiesmakingthemfeeltheymustbecloseted. WouldyouhelpwiththefundingofseniorhousingfortheLGBTcommunityinyourdistrict?(Y/N Ifno,pleaseexplain)

Yes.
Ifyouarecurrentlyinoffice,haveyoumadememberitemgrantsorsupportedLGBTfunding requests?Ifseekingofficeforthefirsttime,wouldyougivestrongconsiderationtoLGBTsocial serviceorganizationsseekingfundingfromyourofficeifelected?(Y/NIfno,pleaseexplain)

Yes.
WhatactionswillyoutaketohelpsupporttheLGBTcommunitycenterinyourborough?If thereisnotanLGBTcommunitycenterinyourborough,whatactionswillyoutaketohelp developone?

ManhattansLesbian&GayCommunityServicesCenterisanincrediblecommunity institutionservingourCityforover30years.Sinceopeningtheirdoors,theCenters

staffhaveofferedtheirspaceasasafehavenfortheLGBTpoliticalmovement,in additiontovaluableprogramsintheartsandsocialservices.Hometoover300 groups,Istronglyendorsespendingboroughdelegationfunds,baselinefunding,and amopentoconsideringadditionalfundingcommitmentsmakingsuretheirdoors remainopen.IwillworktowiththeCenterincreaseitsoutreachandworkinmy councildistrictsincethebenefitformyneighborsandconstituentswouldbeimmense.

LGBTServicesandFunding: TheLGBTcommunityisingreatneedofseniorhousingformanyofouragingpopulation. Manyseniorsexperiencehomophobiainseniorfacilitiesmakingthemfeeltheymustbecloseted. WouldyouhelpwiththefundingofseniorhousingfortheLGBTcommunity?(Y/NIfno,please explain)

Yes.
Ifyouarecurrentlyinoffice,haveyoumadememberitemgrantsorsupportedLGBTfunding requests?Ifseekingofficeforthefirsttime,wouldyougivestrongconsiderationtoLGBTsocial serviceorganizationsseekingfundingfromyourofficeifelected?Pleaseexplainyourposition.

N/A
WhatactionswillyoutaketohelpsupporttheLGBTcommunitycenterinyourborough?If thereisnotanLGBTcommunitycenterinyourborough,whatactionswillyoutaketohelp developone?

Answeredabove.
Other: PleasestateconcreteachievementsfortheLGBTcommunitythatyouareresponsibleforin yourcurrent,orprevious,electedoffice/s.

IamcurrentlynotanelectedofficialsoIwouldnotbeabletopointtoanyparticular achievementsIhavedoneasanofficeholder.WhatIcansaywithconfidenceisthatI planonbeinganaggressiveadvocateforthepositionsImadeclearinmyanswers aboveandwillalwayslookforopportunitiestoprotectthelibertiesoftheLGBT communitywhileparticipatinginmovingtheballforwardforexpandingtherightsof thecommunityintheyearstocome.

HaveyouendorsedanyLGBTcandidates?Whichones?

N/A

IfendorsedwillyoudisplaytheendorsementoftheStonewallDemocraticClubofNYCinyour literaturewheneveryoulistotherendorsementsandwillyoudisplaytheendorsementonyour website?

Yes.
WillyouhireopenlyLGBTstaffand/ordesignatealiaisontoourcommunitiesifelected?(Y/N Ifno,pleaseexplain)

Ifelected,Iwillhirethemostcapable,qualifiedandprofessionalstafftoshapemy officeintothemosteffectiveinthecity.Regardlessofthestaffersorientation,Iwill makesurethereisadedicatedliaisontotheLGBTcommunitytoensurethatthe needs,suggestionsandconcernsareheardandintegratedintothepoliciesIpursueas anelectedrepresentative.