LGBT Issues Questionnaire: T. Dianne Bellamy-Small, District 3

T. Dianne Bellamy-Small
Greensboro City Council District Three

Mailing Address:
3211 Delmonte Drive
Greensboro, NC 27406
Phone: 336-373-2286
Email: Bellamy.small@greensboro-nc.gov
Campaign website: www.bellamysmallforcouncil.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?

I welcome and support inclusion of all citizens in our communities. Discrimination of any type is harmful to the positive growth of any community. With the hiring of our new human relations director, I feel the city will be on course to advocate for all citizens in Greensboro.

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?

My position has been that the policy of partner benefits not be for same sex partners only, but consider other domestic situations where the need for such benefits are requested.

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?

The city’s current policies I believe are fair and well within state and federal law. Because of our MWBE program, the city consistently monitors any discrimination if a business is doing business with the city.

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 have lived in the Triad all of my life and in Greensboro for almost 32 years. Greensboro is still dealing with its Southerness but it is not extreme in how it deals with diversity. Many people from other countries and all races live in Greensboro. The fact that Greensboro supports a commission on the status of women and a human relations department demonstrates some effort to deal with citizen discord. I feel we need to establish a more functional police review board. The Council needs to address fairly the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations. The new Council with Administrative staff should go through undo racism soon after being elected.

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 do not feel this is necessary. I think that any citizens who feel they need to legalize their partnerships can do so through other legal means. I encourage any partners who are committed to establish appropriate legal paperwork needs for their personal needs and to be legally recognized in any areas needed.

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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 |