LGBT Issues Questionnaire: Donna Reichmann, At-Large

Donna Reichmann
Greensboro City Council At-Large

Mailing Address:
5707 Kacey Meadows Drive
Greensboro, NC 27410
Phone: 336-632-4475
Email:Youcanleadtoo@aol.com
Campaign website: www.donnariechmann.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?

Greensboro needs to attract and retain dynamic, educated, successful young business professionals regardless of gender or sexual orientation. I believe we need to have a welcoming and inclusive environment, as well as a positive economic climate, to do that. I support fairness and equity in every regard. My sense is that Greensboro is pretty welcoming already and one of the reasons I chose to live here is because of tolerance for difference. Are we there yet? No, but I want to reach out to everyone (my motto is “A Voice for ALL the people) through community forums, and I support policies and actions that ensure equal chances for all.

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?

As a first-time candidate, I do not know the city policy on this and was unable to find it online. Philosophically, I support domestic partner benefits for same-sex partners, but I would have to thoroughly understand the economic impact and the policies currently in place before taking a stance.

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?

I am pleased that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited. There

are a number of cities and states where this is not the case. In the context of civil rights,

we should not discriminate in employment based on gender-identity. As long as a person is qualified and can do the job, that’s what counts. If these codes come up for review, I am open to exploring the options.

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?

We have a mixed history on race relations and inclusiveness of minorities. Of course, this is an issue in much of the US, but we have to solve it on a local level. We have to PRACTICE including all the people of Greensboro, in our schools, our government, our companies, our non-profits, etc. The mix is changing; we now have almost 100 languages in our schools, and as a city we need to embrace that reality. I support having a dialogue about this and the City Council taking a lead in opening that dialogue. When people feel that they are heard and they can be part of the solution, we will make progress.

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?

I lived in Chapel Hill for several years and this seemed to be a non-issue. If “domestic partner registry” is the equivalent of a civil union, I support it in the context of equal rights for all. I would have to understand the economic impact on the city before supporting the legal recognition, because City Council members have a fiduciary responsibility as well.

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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 |