LGBT Issues Questionnaire: Joel Landau, At-Large

Joel Landau
Greensboro City Council At-Large

Mailing Address:
6 Collwood Ct.
Greensboro, NC 27409
Phone: 336-854-2728
Email:JandBLandau@bellsouth.net
Campaign website: www.JoelLandau.com

Question One. Economic studies have concluded that those metropolitan areas most welcoming, inclusive and supportive of their LGBT communities are more likely to attract and retain dynamic, high-paying business and young professionals. With this in mind, if you are elected would you seek to continue a commitment toward building Greensboro’s economic climate and influence by further supporting and welcoming LGBT citizens in our communities, and how would you do that?

Yes I would support and welcome LGBT citizens. I would do this by affirming and insisting on tolerance in City government in all areas, including sexual orientation. I would encourage Churches and other private institutions to be welcoming and supportive of LGBT citizens. I would continue to attend LGBT events. Beyond this I would seek input and listen to members of the LGBT community. I welcome and would appreciate your thoughts on any of the issues raised in this questionnaire.

Question Two. During the past year, the issue of domestic partner benefits for same-sex partners of city employees has been a hot-button issue and one much debated over by those involved in city politics. If elected to your post in the Council/as Mayor, how would you seek to protect these benefits for working class LGBT couples?

I would affirm current City policy of providing domestic partner benefits. Providing domestic partner benefits was an issue during the 2005 campaign, and I supported it. I would gladly follow-up on any claims of non-compliance. As with question one, I would work to promote tolerance and support in the greater community

I think the best way to protect these benefits would be to elect progressive candidates such as myself to a majority on the City Council.

Question Three. Currently, Greensboro city code prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Do you support expanding the city codes to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender-identity? Do you support expanding these city codes to apply also to businesses with which the city contracts services?

Yes, I support removing employment discrimination on any basis.

Yes, I support extending these city codes to City contractors. This would avoid the possibility of someone in City government using out-sourcing to a contractor as a way to avoid equal employment treatment.

Question Four. Some citizens believe that Greensboro has become a place unwelcoming of and non-inclusive to minority citizens, such as those persons of minority races and ethnicities. How would you propose to address citizens concerns over the state of our city’s reputation for racial divisiveness and what steps would you take toward beginning to heal what many may still see as an open wound?

The grievances of any group need to be listened to and addressed by City government, and I will do so. In the past 2 years I have sought and received input from people all over town, learning about the issues of concern to them. Once elected I will continue to listen and will do my best to bring people together, foster dialogue, and see that everyone is represented and heard. This is one of my main motivations for running.

I’ve been an active supporter of the Truth and Reconciliation Process. During the 2005 election campaign I called on City government to embrace the process, and have continued to do so. The first step in healing is often simple acknowledgment of someone’s complaint. Then we need to effectively respond.

Question Five. Would you support creating a domestic partner registry in the City of Greensboro, similar to those in effect in Chapel Hill and Carrboro that would give citizens legal recognition of their relationship for the purposes of housing, local taxes and other city services?

This sounds appealing to me, but frankly it’s the first I’ve heard of a domestic partner registry. I’d like more information on the specific criteria and ramifications. I’d appreciate any more info you could send me.

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NOTE: All responses are un-edited and exact to the original words and responses from each candidate.

Posted in Greensboro LGBT Vote 07 |