Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Please submit your typewritten responses to the following questions on a separate sheet.
1) Why are you running for a judicial position and what qualifies you for that position?
2) Why are you seeking the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats of WNY?
3) Do you believe that bias affects our justice system, particularly in areas such as domestic violence and custody/visitation issues
involving LGBT individuals? If so, how do you propose to eliminate it?
4) Do any of the organizations, associations or clubs to which you belong prohibit or limit membership on the basis of race, color,
religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, national origin, or gender identity?
5) What is your experience with the LGBT community both generally and/or professionally? As an attorney, have you ever
represented clients involved with LGBT issues?
6) Because New York has not enacted same-sex marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships, same sex partners are denied
many spousal rights.
a) Do you believe same-sex couples should be entitled to the same adoption rights as opposite sex couples?
b) hi matters of divorce, do you feel an openly gay parent should have the same rights to visitation and custody as a
heterosexual parent?
7) Will you work to insure that sexual orientation or gender identity is not a consideration in your staff hiring decisions?
8) What kind of support would you like to have from the LGBT community if you win your primary?
9) 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?
10) 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)?
11) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you attend a GLBT community forum to introduce endorsed
candidates?
1. I run for the office of Erie County Court Judge for a number of reaso ns. First and
foremost I believe that I am the most qualified candidate currently seeking this position. Having
experience as a private attorney, prosecutor in the Family Court, Confidential Law Clerk to a
Supreme Court Jurist, where I assisted in the resolving of complicated civil and criminal matters;
Second Assistant Erie County Attorney, where I was responsible for various County agencies and
handled many legal issues; Administrative Judge in the Family Court, dealing with Family issues
and currently as a City Court Judge, I believe that my vast experience, exceeds the qualifications
put forth by other candidates seeking your endorsement.
Secondly I seek this position because I believe I have much to offer, not only to the current
members of this Court, but the community at large. I bring a perspective of community life and
the law, that currently does not exist at this level of our Courts. Lastly I seek this position because
I honestly believe diversity is needed on the County Court. In the over one hund red years of this
Court's existence, a male of color has never sat in this Court. A sad commentary on western New
York, I strongly believe that it is time that this Court had as a member, a qualified male of color.
2. I once again seek the endorsement of this organization because it represents voices that
must be heard and represented at all levels of government. Also your endorsement would be an
additional demonstration of my commitment to make western New York a better place for all to
live and work.
4. No.
5. As an attorney I did represent clients involved in LBGT issues. I have also served on
community boards involved in issues impacting on the LBGT community.
7. Yes.
9. Yes.
10. Yes.
11. Yes.