Yvonne J. Johnson
Greensboro Mayor

Mailing Address:
4311 King Arthur Place
Greensboro, NC 27405
Phone: 336-275-5285
Email: yjohnson@onestopfurther.com
Campaign website: www.yvonnejohnsonformayor.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?

Absolutely! By being more inclusive, placing more LGBT on boards and commissions. To make sure LGBT are represented on special task force that are appointed by council.

Also making government business friendly so that if clubs or other facilities are on the drawing board that cater to LGBT, government should be helpful and cooperative.

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 supported benefits for same sex partner, and will continue my support. There has not been a lot of discussion or controversy by council members when this was introduced. Personally, I support benefits for all employees.

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 to all questions.

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?

I plan to use our colleges and universities to establish think tanks focusing on this issue. Using diverse students (including many ethic (sic) groups as well as LGBT) have a town hall meeting to discuss outcome and put in place plans to address the issue of social capital. Also including many people to may races and sexual preference on boards, commissions & special task forces.

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?

Yes.

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