She Votes For Me: By Mark R. Kerr

This individual first ran for political office, in 2000, for the Arizona House of Representatives for then Legislative District 13 which covered Eastern, Central Tucson North to the Catalina Mountains, a political rarity had occurred with the state Senate seat, as well as both seats in the state Houses of Representatives were open, resulting in a free-for-all on the local level for the three posts.

When contacting these individuals to see where they stood on issues of concern to Tucson’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, one candidate stood out, actually knowing the two bills before the Arizona Legislature during the session pertaining to HIV/AIDS testing and protecting the rights of LGBT people in the workplace, they knew the bill number, sponsors and stated their position on both, citing information, studies as well as the attempts to enact legislation on the federal level.

Elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2000 and elected to the Arizona Senate in 2002, serving the constituents and people across the state with their knowledge and caring for the betterment of everyone’s lives.

Not paying just “lip service,” but taking stances and action (through sponsorship or co-sponsorship of legislation) when needed, especially for the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities:

From protecting the rights and privacy of those wishing to be tested for HIV;

Ensuring funding for Arizona’s AIDS Service Organizations;

Attempting to ensure that medically accurate information is given on HIV/AIDS in the state’s public education system, allowing governmental entities to provide medical and dental benefits to the domestic partners (same or opposite sex) and their families;

Creating a real, right-to-work state, in which all Arizonan’s, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, perceived or otherwise, could earn a living without fear of losing their job because of whom they are;

Expanding the state’s bias crime’s law to cover misdemeanors and preventing the scape-goating for political profit of Arizona’s LGBT community by the Republican majority on worthless “postcards,”

During the initial run for federal office, this individual stood with the community by opposing Proposition 107 in 2006, which would have barred governmental and legal recognition of committed same-sex relationships (and families), defeated by the voters in the November general election that year.

Gabrielle Giffords stood with Arizona’s LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities, one of the few who did while serving in Arizona’s Legislature and it is time to stand with Giffords again during this election year.

Her Republican opponent is Tim Bee, the current state Senate President whose actions and votes placed Proposition 102, the measure to bar governmental and legal recognition of committed, same-sex relationships (and families) on this year’s general election ballot. Bee is no friend to the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities and wants to use Proposition 102 as his “wedge issue” to victory, despite state statutes and court precedent.

On the other hand, Gabrielle Giffords has publicly opposed Proposition 102 and has taken action through statements, actions and votes to improve the quality of life of all people, LGBT, straight or otherwise, living in Congressional District 8

For more information about the Giffords campaign, headquarters at 4444 East Grant, to volunteer, call (520) 512-0012, or go online to giffordsforcongress.com.

Unlike Bee’s misleading and misogynistic ads, voters in Congressional District 8 can return an individual to office who serves everyone, not a select few. Giffords casts her votes for everyone, something this reporter and constituent can take pride in.