STONEWALL DEMOCRATS of Western New York

PO Box 857, Buffalo, NY 14205 Website:

www.sdwny.org

OFFICERS February 8, 2010

Bryan Ball
President Dear City of Buffalo School Board Candidate,

Kitty Lambert Stonewall Democrats of Western New York is the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
Vice President,
Community Affairs
transgender (LGBT) Democratic voice in western New York working to elect
Democrats who are supportive on LGBT and other progressive issues.
Bruce Kogan
Vice President,
Party Affairs
We have begun our 2010 election season. As a candidate for the Buffalo School
Board, we are interested in your candidacy and would like to provide you with the
Ronald Groth opportunity to engage in our process for endorsement by Stonewall Democrats of
Treasurer WNY. As you may know, an endorsement from Stonewall Democrats of WNY is
Thomas Peglowski important to many local LGBT community members, as well as our family,
Secretary friends and supporters, as they decide whether to volunteer for particular
campaigns, and as they prepare to head for the polls to cast their vote. We are
interested in the Buffalo School Board election not only as members of the LGBT
community, but as parents of school children and taxpayers, who are residents of
the City of Buffalo and the surrounding region. We look forward to working with
candidates for school board intent on promoting the well being, safety and dignity
of all children in Buffalo schools.

To be considered for endorsement, please complete and return the enclosed

questionnaire to us by Friday, March 19, 2010, so that we may consider
endorsement for the School Board at our next meeting. In addition, you will be
asked to appear in front of the organization during the meeting on Tuesday,
March 23 at 7pm. Please contact Bruce Kogan or Tom Gleed to schedule a time
for your interview.

The completed questionnaire should be either emailed to info@sdwny.org,

faxed to (716) 853-2448 (Attention: Bryan Ball, Stonewall Democrats of
WNY) or mailed to:
Attention: Endorsement Committee
Stonewall Democrats of WNY
PO Box 857
Buffalo, NY 14205

You should also be aware that our revised endorsement process is attached.
Should you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact
us. We thank you and look forward to receiving your completed questionnaire for
consideration for endorsement by Stonewall Democrats of WNY.

Sincerely,

Bruce Kogan Tom Gleed

Vice-President for Party Affairs Endorsement/GOTV Committee
 (716) 886-7283 (716) 510-5507

Stonewall Democrats of Western New York Endorsement Process

Candidates for elected office who wish to be considered for endorsement must complete our
questionnaire and schedule an interview appointment with the membership at a general meeting.

Endorsement of a candidate requires a vote of sixty percent of the membership present at that meeting. If
no candidate receives the required sixty percent vote for endorsement, subsequent ballots shall be taken
deleting the candidate receiving the least number of votes or no votes on the previous ballot.

If, after the completion of balloting, no candidate has received the sixty percent of the vote required,
candidates may be rated as “acceptable,” “unacceptable,” or “no position,” depending upon the
candidate’s record and/or position statements. If sixty percent of those voting cannot agree on a rating,
the candidate will be assigned the rating of “no consensus.”

If a candidate is endorsed, the remaining candidates will not be rated.

Stonewall Democrats WNY – NYS Legislature Questionnaire 2010, page 2

STONEWALL DEMOCRATS of Western New York
PO Box 857, Buffalo, NY 14205 Website:
www.sdwny.org

2010 ENDORSEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE – CITY OF BUFFALO SCHOOL

BOARD

Name: Ralph R. Hernandez

Campaign Address: 127 Livingston Street, Buffalo New York 14213

Daytime Phone: 881-1409 Evening Phone: 864-4983

Fax Number: None E-mail: hernandez239@msn.com

School Board District Office Sought: WEST DISTRICT

1) Why are you seeking this office?

Experience counts…and can’t afford to lose it. At this critical time, when the state is
projecting a $9 billion budget deficit, I feel it is important that the board maintains continuity
and momentum, and to continue its focus on the future.

I am seeking reelection because so much still needs to be done and I believe our Buffalo
Public Schools are poised to continue tremendous improvements in serving our community
and its students. For example, today, we have 12 less schools under registration review than
we did just three years ago and our four-year academic plan continues to pay dividends with
K-8 showing three consecutive years of steady increases in ELA and Math scores.

I’d be honored to continue doing what I have been given the privilege of doing for six years;
representing parents, taxpayers, and children on the Board of Education and passing
meaningful legislation that improves the quality of education for all the children in Buffalo.

2) Why are you seeking the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats of WNY?

Like Stonewall Democrats, I too support efforts to prohibit discrimination against gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. I support your efforts to build coalitions with other
organizations and communities that support your mission, particularly, in the Hispanic
community. I think it is important to reach out to underrepresented and diverse groups within
our community in order to bring about greater harmony and understanding of gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender people. Further, as a well respected grassroots organization
Stonewall Democrats have a great deal of influence over the electorate.

3) What three issues do you consider to be most important to the people served by the office you seek?

Stonewall Democrats WNY – NYS Legislature Questionnaire 2010, page 3

 1) Implement a comprehensive district-wide truancy reduction program-our children will not
learn or graduate on time if they are not in school; chronic absenteeism is a major factor in
low graduation rates in this city. I have spoken to my colleagues and Superintendent Williams
about using a portion of Race-to-the-Top money and School Improvement Grants for this
purpose. I have advocated for the return of attendance teachers since they were laid-off in
2005; some have been rehired but others remain unemployed.

2) Settle the teacher back pay and single health insurance payer disputes and engage all
unions in Collective Bargaining Agreements. The longer we continue to appeal lower court
rulings supporting salary steps reimbursement for teachers retroactive to July 2007, the more
difficult it is to reach a new contract agreement.

3) Improve overall student grade average and graduation rate; lower dropout rates; improve
long-term educational results for students with special needs and; improve communication
with the community to increase understanding between all parties and support for school
district initiatives.

4) What three civil rights issues do you perceive to be the most important to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) community? For each issue:

1) Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Laws 2) Same Sex marriage and Partner Recognition
and 3) Child Adoption. We have seen a fair share of spirited debates and publicity on these
topics in recent past. I support gender identity non-discrimination laws, same sex marriages
and believe that the most important factor in raising a child is love; not gender identity.

5) Stonewall Democrats of WNY strongly believes that candidates have a responsibility to provide voters with
truthful, fair and clean campaigns for public office and to conduct themselves in a manner conducive to a civil,
issue-oriented debate with their fellow candidates. Will you sign a written pledge to conduct your campaign
accordingly? Absolutely.

6) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you list the endorsement on all applicable campaign
literature (i.e., all literature listing any other endorsements)?

If I get the endorsement, I would appear in all my campaign lists of endorsements.

7) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you attend a LGBT community forum to introduce
endorsed candidates? Yes.

8) What are you doing or what will you do to advocate for greater LGBT representation and empowerment at the
ballot box and in elected office locally?

If by advocating for greater LGBT representation and empowerment at the ballot box you are
referring to publically endorse members of LGBT who run for public office, the answer is yes.

9) Are you aware of the Dignity for All Students Act? As a member of the Buffalo School Board, what can you
and the Board do to create a discrimination, intimidation and harassment free environment for all children in
Buffalo schools? Explain.

This question brings to mind Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483, 494 (1954), where
the U.S. Supreme Court observed that discrimination reaching youth "generates a feeling of

Stonewall Democrats WNY – NYS Legislature Questionnaire 2010, page 4

 inferiority as to their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way
unlikely ever to be undone."

I am familiar with the Dignity for All Students Act to the extent that it is designed to protect
children in public schools from harassment and discrimination, which I support. Our LGBT
students should not feel they have to be constantly on guard in order to protect themselves.
Teachers and principals have a legal and ethical obligation to respond to all forms of
harassment and discrimination in schools. All students have the right to attend school in a
safe environment and expect to see their lives positively reflected in curriculum and classroom
activities.

10) Should teachers and administrators receive specific training about harassment, bullying, and intimidation of
LGBT students and staff? Explain.

I will support any organized awareness and action training for teacher or administration.
After speaking with some teachers, it appears many educators avoid including dialogue about
LGBT issues in the classroom due fearing a negative response from student, parents and
other teachers. Some teachers worry that their inclusive teaching will translate as promotion
of a LGBT lifestyle. Training our teachers will help develop an understanding of why LGBT
subject matters are relevant and important.

11) Do you support the voluntary formation of Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in public high schools and community
colleges? Explain.

I will support them; however, the challenge with GSAC’s is getting faculty sponsorship, low or
no attendance with straight allies, and policies, which require parental consent to in order for
student to participate in the group. I prefer to generate change in the entire school in hopes of
creating a tolerant whole-school environment.

12) Would you advocate for the right of students to take a same-sex partner to school functions? Explain.

Yes, any policy explicit or not that is detrimental to any LGBT student sends a message that
these students should not be treated the same, and that’s reprehensible.

13) Do you believe that entities receiving public funds or resources should be allowed to violate non-
discrimination policies? (For example, the Boy Scouts being allowed rent-free facilities at the public’s expense?)
Explain.

No. Organizations, who receive public funds or private funds for that matter, should not be
allowed to violate non-discrimination policies.

14) Do you support the inclusion of age-appropriate education about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
issues? What kinds of instruction and when?

As stated earlier, I am committed to ensuring all LGBT students see themselves and their lives
positively reflected in the curriculum. Resources should be allocated to promote critical
thinking and include materials that accurately reflect the range of Buffalo’s LGBT
community. Keeping in mind the multicultural aspects of the district, as many of the above
resources as possible, should be available in different languages and in formats easily
accessible to English as a Second Language students.

Stonewall Democrats WNY – NYS Legislature Questionnaire 2010, page 5

15) Would you work to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered parents in school activities? Explain.

Creating a school environment that uses inclusive language and makes direct statements of
nondiscrimination that invite sexual minority parents to feel safe is a good way to start. School
brochures and information sheets should clearly state that at all gatherings families and
parents of all sexual orientations are welcome.

Research shows that when parents are involved students have higher grades, higher test
scores, higher attendance, and degrease use of drugs and alcohol. The more parents
participate in schooling, in a sustained way, at every level - in advocacy, decision-making, and
oversight roles, as fund-raisers and boosters, as volunteers and home teachers- the better for
student achievement

16) Would you support mandatory diversity training for public education employees that includes LGBT issues?
Explain.

Yes. Many diversity-training programs include LGBT issues. One that comes to mind is the
LGBT Diversity Leadership in the Workplace Lunch and Learn Program. This training
program seems to work well in breaking down barriers and foster communication between
LGBT employees, allies, and co-workers.

17) Would you advocate on behalf of a student who identifies as gendered other than that of her or his biological
gender, and, if so, what accommodations in school are appropriate? Explain.

Yes, I will advocate for anti-LGBT harassment and discrimination policies in schools and will
make certain that all students, regardless of gender identification are treated equal.

18) Do you support the right of LGBT teachers, teacher’s aides, counselors, coaches or administrators to be “out”
to their students? If so, under what circumstances? Explain.

If by the “Out” factor, you mean a teacher or administrator being straightforward and honest
about his/her sexual orientation if asked by a student, I have no objections.

19) Would you support the inclusion of domestic partner benefits in all school contracts? Explain.

I will support negotiations leading to domestic partners having the same rights to benefits as a
spouse.

20) Do you support equal marriage laws, permitting same-gender couples to marry under state law just as
opposite-gender couples are able to? Explain.

Yes. I support Marriage Equity Laws

21) Would you oppose a state constitutional amendment initiative that would seek to limit marriage to a union
between one man and a woman? Explain.

Yes. I would oppose a state constitution amendment limiting marriage to one man, one
woman.

Stonewall Democrats WNY – NYS Legislature Questionnaire 2010, page 6

22) Would you seek endorsement of or advertise on any homophobic websites, including but not limited to,
politicswny.com/politicsny.net?

Yes No
23) Have you advertised on, supported or intend to advertise on such websites for your election or reelection?

Yes No
Please indicate your level of support or non-support for the legislative priorities listed below. Though you may
never be afforded the chance to vote on this legislation, it concerns issues important to the LGBT community and
youth.

Legislation Support Oppose

A 3661-B | S1987-A “Dignity For All

Students Act": Authorizes the
commissioner of education to establish
policies and procedures affording all
students in public schools an environment YES
free of harassment and discrimination;
requires reporting harassment and
discrimination to such commission.
A5710-A | S 2406-A – “Gender
Expression Non-Discrimination Act
(GENDA)”: Prohibits discrimination
based on gender identity or expression;
defines "gender identity or expression" as
having or being perceived as having a YES
gender identity, self image, appearance,
behavior or expression whether or not that
gender identity, self image, appearance,
behavior or expression is different from
that traditionally associated with the sex
assigned to that person at birth; further
includes offenses regarding gender identity
or expression within the list of offenses
subject to treatment as hate crimes.
A 3261 | S1985- Requires a course of
instruction in the awareness of hate crimes,
to educate every child in New York State YES
on the issue of hate crimes.

I believe there is no higher honor than being elected to a position of public trust. As school board
member, I recognized early not to rule, but to serve. As Board President, I try to create an
environment where everyone’s opinion is heard and respected; an environment that makes it
unmistakably clear that the contribution of each individual board member, whether in the majority
or minority, matters.

Candidate’s Signature:_________________________________________________________________

Stonewall Democrats WNY – NYS Legislature Questionnaire 2010, page 7

Date: _____________________________________

Please complete the attached issues surveys, sign below and return questionnaire, surveys and your resume by
Friday, March 19, 2010 by either by email to info@sdwny.org, faxed to (716) 853-2448 (Attention:
Bryan Ball, Stonewall Democrats of WNY) or mailed to:
Attention: Endorsement Committee
Stonewall Democrats of WNY
PO Box 857, Buffalo, NY 14205

Stonewall Democrats WNY – NYS Legislature Questionnaire 2010, page 8