Candidates for Erie County Council and Erie City Council were asked about their positions on GLBT issues. Their responses appear below.


These were the questions for all races:


Anti-Discrimination

Do you support the passage of SB/HB 300, which would amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to include protecting LGBT individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation? Please explain. 


Anti-Bullying

Do you support the PASS Act, which would amend the Public School Code of 1949 to include protecting LGBT individuals from bullying in public schools? Please explain.


Other

What would you like to let the Erie area LGBT community to know? 





COUNTY COUNCIL District 1

Anti-Discrimination

Phil Fatica (D-Incumbent)


Yes, the County of Erie already recognizes the importance of protecting individuals from discrimination and it is time the rest of the state and country was on board.


Anti-Bullying

Phil Fatica (D-Incumbent)


Protection from any form of bullying in the schools is vital. Our nephew recognized the need to help kids who are in need of understanding their identity and helping them fight judgmental comments and bullying and he is one of the supporters of an organization to address these issues, "Live Out Loud." And so am I.


Other

Phil Fatica (D-Incumbent)


Erie County, through the Human Rights Commission, has in place a law which forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation. We are the only county between here and Pittsburgh which has such a law. As a current Erie County Councilman, I always have and always will proudly support this law.





COUNTY COUNCIL District 3


Not Responding: Fiore Leone (D-Incumbent)





COUNTY COUNCIL District 5


Not Responding: Kyle Foust (D-Incumbent)


Anti-Discrimination

Trish Catalano (R)


Yes, I wholeheartedly support the passage of Pennsylvania House Bill 300. I also would support any Local, County, State or Federal bill that would provide the same protections across the board, to every member of the LGBT community. 





Anti-Bullying

Trish Catalano (R)


Yes, I support the PA Safe School Act. But I also believe that if our President should use his authority to issue an Executive Order that would enact a law that would cover all of our students as well a every US Citizen. This law should protect them from harassment, stalking, bullying and cyber-bulling. The President ran on a platform for change and making a difference. He made promises to the LBGT community that he has not upheld. I think that an across the board law that protects all from harassment and bullying of every type, would do a lot to heal our country. One unifying law to protect every student and citizen from harassment, bullying, stalking, cyber-bullying and discrimination is what our country needs. It is revolting that our children are taking their own lives after being bullied because they are different. Our schools, internet sites, social networks, and even the police do nothing because the law does not say that they have to. How many more of our children, brothers, sisters, friends or neighbors have to lose their lives before our government cares as much about US citizens as they do about foreign countries? 





Other

Trish Catalano (R)


I believe that all US Citizens should have the right to: love, marry who they choose, be proud of their sexual identity, and to be free to adopt and raise a family. 


I am a disabled female and I have been the subject of bullying, stalking and harassment because some view me as less of a person because I cannot use both of my legs. I also have many gay, bisexual, transgendered and cross-dressing friends. I have been a member of the Erie Sisters Group for many years, even though not as active as I would like, as well as a group in Buffalo where I grew up. While I cannot begin to understand what it is like to live in their skin, I have been there to laugh and cry with my LGBT friends. I can honestly say that if you would consider voting for me, I would be proud to represent you all and promise to be part of the solution. 





COUNTY COUNCIL District 7


Anti-Discrimination

Carol Loll (R-Incumbent)


There should not be discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations for anyone. We are Erie County have the Human Relations Commission and have set borth By-laws for them to follow. This includes, that there will not be discrimination for anyone in the area of public spaces, housing and employment. I was on council at the time that this was passed and I supported its passage.





Anti-Bullying

Carol Loll (R-Incumbent)


I support any initiative to protect anyone from bullying. Bullying can be very destructive to anyone who has been subject to it. It can have lasting negative effect to anyone confronted by a bully. Bullying can take many forms and methods and should be stopped any time it surfaces.





ERIE CITY COUNCIL


Not Responding: , Gary Grack (D), Mel Witherspon (D-Incumbent)


Anti-Discrimination

Sonya Arrington (D)


I urge the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to embrace the expansion of non-discrimination legislation by passing SB/HB 300. It is unacceptable for property owners, employers, and public facilities to discriminate against people based on their sexuality. 


It is unfortunate that government must step in and create legislation of this nature. As a black woman, I certainly recognize the value of protection against discrimination. I believe all persons should have fair opportunities to obtain employment, housing and public accommodation.





Bob Merski (D-Incumbent)


I am for the passage of SB/HB 300, which would protect LGBT from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation. Discrimination because of who you are is wrong, and it shouldn't be allowed under the law.





Rebecca Styn (D)


I wholeheartedly support it. I believe that each of us should be treated equally under the law and would oppose any act passed by the government that denies anyone equal rights to pursue their own happiness.


Although as a member of city council, I would only indirectly be able to influence the outcome of a proposed state level bill, but what is great about local government is the difference a small governing body can make on the local residents. As a councilperson I would look to review all local anti-discrimination laws and ensure that they cover discrimination against sexual orientation.


One such recent proof of the ability of local governments to enforce swift change where state and federal governments may fail is in the fast action of multiple municipalities throughout Indiana after the governor recently signed the harshest anti-gay legislation in years. Mayors of multiple cities, including Indianapolis, almost instantly, signed executive orders that would protect the LGBT citizens living and working in their cities. 





Richard Wagner (D)


In response to question #1 as it pertains to passage of SB/HB 300 which would bring gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender people under the umbrella of the state's non-discrimination. As a human being I support this bill, and if elected to council not only will I support Bill 300 personally, I will make sure that legislators at all levels know exactly how I feel about the injustices that have and will continue to occur if this bill is not passed.





Jon Whaley (D)


I support SB/HB 300 completely. I am fully supportive of LGBT individuals in every sense and want to make it illegal to discriminate against them in these areas of housing, employment, public accommodations and ANY OTHER situation they may face. As noted below, I firmly believe LGBT individuals should be recognized as a protected class by federal law to protect them in all situations and any form of discrimination, and allow for severe penalties if discrimination occurs.





Anti-Bullying

Sonya Arrington (D)


As an advocate for youth, I believe very strongly that our schools play a large role in protecting children from bullying and discrimination. I urge the Pennsylvania Legislature to update the language of the Public School Code of 1949 to reflect the language of the PASS Act. I am very supportive of the fact that high school and college students originally conceived the PASS initiative. 


Our youth, regardless of their sexuality, racial background, socioeconomic status, or any other factor used to divide and discriminate, should be able to receive an education free from harassment from their peers. School-wide positive behavior support programs are one way to support a positive and healthy learning environment in any educational program from pre-school to high school. 


The Pennsylvania Youth Survey figures from Erie County indicate that an unacceptably high percentage of our young people are suffering from depression and low self-esteem. Many cite bullying as an issue in their daily lives at school that affects how they feel about themselves and their school performance. Most troubling is the number who feel that live isn't worth living. Based on the statistics, some percentage of these young people are certainly struggling with sexual identity issues. I have attached the PAYS survey document for the Erie School District for you to examine. The chart on page 45 is very troubling.





Bob Merski (D-Incumbent)


I am for amending Public School Code to include listing protected classes, including LGBT students, but I also believe that the law shouldn't be exclusive to only those protected classes. For example, the boy or girl that gets picked on for being overweight or being poor- we don't have a protective classes for those characteristics, but they should have the same rights under the law as anyone else being bullied. I'm for listing protected classes, but wouldn't limit the law to only those protected classes (i.e. "including, but not limited to, …").





Rebecca Styn (D)


I wholeheartedly support it. I I recognize Pennsylvania state law leaves huge gaps in addressing the issue of bullying with weak or non-existent actions, and I would support any bill that would increase the awareness and permissible actions to stop all types of bullying if there were any instances of bullying, against LGBT or otherwise, which were going completely unrecognized, undocumented, and unpunished. 


At a local level, I am also aware of the "Mayors for Safe Schools," that embodies Mayors, and Presidents of Borough Councils and Township Board of Commissioners across Pennsylvania. Local governing bodies have critical roles in protecting the welfare of young people in our communities and if it is currently not in the pipeline, if elected, I will work to try to get Erie on board as part of that coalition. 





Richard Wagner (D)


In response to question #1 as it pertains to passage of SB/HB 300 which would bring gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender people under the umbrella of the state's non-discrimination. As a human being I support this bill, and if elected to council not only will I support Bill 300 personally, I will make sure that legislators at all levels know exactly how I feel about the injustices that have and will continue to occur if this bill is not passed.


Jon Whaley (D)


Absolutely agree 100%. Bullying of any kind is harmful and we should aim to stop it in schools as much as possible. Again, LGBT students must be included in protection just as race, sex and religion would be covered. As a father of 3 teen-agers, I understand how difficult school can be for teens (I was a geeky, gangly, "trying to fit in" teen once myself!), and I would have to imagine how much more stressful it can be for LGBT youth who are growing, changing, possibly confused, probably scared and maybe even hiding their true selves from parents and loved ones. These kids shouldn't face bullying from peers, the bullies should be told in school that it is wrong, and if they get bullied do this can be a remedy for them.





Other

Sonya Arrington (D)


Regardless of the outcome of this race, I will remain committed to Erie youth and promoting non-violence. In 2013, I sponsored a well-attended anti-bullying workshop at East High School and a forum on Cyber-Bullying at the Booker T. Washington Center. I will continue to work with young people in my Leadership, Empowerment, Accountability and Diversity (LEAD) program to encourage them to seek a positive path in life, to handle conflict appropriately, and to embrace the differences in those around them. I empathize with the youth and adults I speak to, that we all need to reach out and have a spirit of togetherness and community with one another, to lay down the hate and the guns, in order to have a peaceful Erie.





Bob Merski (D-Incumbent)


I want the Erie area LGBT community know that I am a friend to the community. I believe the City of Erie is a good city, but it could be a GREAT city! It's going to take ALL of us working together to make it happen. Being a great city means having safe, clean streets and sidewalks, it means supporting local businesses, it means having good schools, it means encouraging inclusivity and celebrating diversity. Being a great city means having good jobs- the kind where you put in an honest day's work and have enough money after paying your bills to enjoy what the city has to offer with your family and friends. Most importantly, being a great city means having many great people contribute what they can for the betterment of the community. From business, to arts and culture; from academia to non-profits, from government to our places of worship, the LGBT community of has been a part of taking Erie from good to great. The work isn't easy, but the results will be worth it! This is bigger than me, and I need your help to improve Erie. I'm asking for your support and your vote on May 19, because together we can take Erie from good to great! To get involved with our movement for a better Erie, email me a bob@bobmerski.com and become part of taking Erie from good to GREAT!





Rebecca Styn (D)


Although Erie City Council does not have jurisdiction over state or federal laws, the number one thing I would do locally is to ensure that all local laws protect the LGBT community to the same extent as other protected classes, and to all citizens alike should be protected. I will continue, as I have for many years, to support the LGBT community and hope to see a future where these things mentioned above are no longer issues - because in my opinion all humans are equal and should be treated as such. I wish you continued good fortune in your quest for equality. 





Richard Wagner (D)


Lastly, what do you need to know about me? I am a lifelong city of Erie resident and a proud democrat. My concerns for the city are absolutely not specific to any group. My sole purpose in running is I see a city that is both distressed and stressed, and my every action as an elected councilman will be to provide a better quality of life, a safer city and an affordable city where everyone can prosper and be proud to call the city of Erie their home.





Jon Whaley (D)


I think the LGBT community should be recognized as a protected class by federal law, just as we protect citizens by race, religion, sex and more. I am against discrimination on any form and feel that a person's weight should also be included & protected. 


Additionally, I was truly unaware of the ignorance possible under RFRA and I want that changed, here is PA and across America. I can understand some of the intent of the law, and trust me I am no legal scholar, but the loopholes it opens and the way it can allow people to discriminate under the guise of religious freedom is disgusting. I believe it started as a way to protect ones right to practice their faith but not at the expense of another person and it seems now to have been completely perverted. As shown in Indiana, a pizza shop owner feels they are able to refuse service to a gay couple because it disagrees with their religion and I think that is wrong and anti-American at its core. I think it should be illegal for anyone to be able to refuse to serve a gay couple or transgender customer. 


I am very liberal and I support equal rights and equal opportunity for all citizens. At the same time, while I am in favor of smaller government and fewer laws, I think it's the duty for the government to regulate areas that won't regulate themselves, such as discrimination against LGBT individuals.