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SOUTHERN VOICE
OCTOBER 21/1993
OUR
Decatur Candidates
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Continued from page 3
clause for “faculty, staff and students,” while
four other candidates hedged on that question.
City Commission District 2, candidates Anne
J. Branscome and Michael Harris both said they
support non-discrimination in hiring, but they
differed somewhat on other issues.
Branscome noted that Decatur doesn’t even
register married couples and state law may pro
hibit a domestic partnership registry. “With the
limited lax basc...wc can’t afford lawsuits,” she
said. “Maybe we need an affidavit [instead].”
On the question of benefits, she said that “every
one” should have health coverage.
In contrast to Branscome, Harris said, “I go
on the record as supporting any basic human
rights for all people. We’re protected by the U.S.
Constitution, but they still Find ways to discrimi
nate.”
Branscome said she would be “delighted” to
have gays and lesbians express interest in serv
ing on task forces. “In my experience, when
people play together and work together, respect
grows,” she said.
Harris noted that he would need to look at
the budget, but that he would like to hire an
affirmative action officer or set up a committee.
“With the gay community, there is a lot of dis
crimination going on right now. We have some
problems with hiring practices,” Harris said.
He also noted he had worked with lesbian
and gay neighbors in the past “trying to pull
things together in this city.” Harris added, “1
look forward to working with the gay commu
nity.”
The audience of about 50 people was made
up of both African American parents and lesbi
ans and gays. Through their questions and com
ments, audience members supported each others
concerns.
Many of those running for the school board
were questioned about stands taken by the pre
vious board. Parents raised the issue of racially-
discriminatory policies, high drop-out rates and
students’ inability to read and write.
The current board, which was appointed,
was accused of preventing parents’ input at board
meetings. In response, candidate Nash said she
would “absolutely” support a parent task force
on the school board. Asked if she wanted gay
and lesbian parents to participate, Nash said,
“Definitely. Thai’s a perfect way for students to
have [gay | role models.”
Board candidate W.H. Simmons, Sr. warmed
many hearts and drew laugh with one of his
comments.
“I look at a person’s qualifications. In my
experience, lesbians arc some of the most quali
fied people. I’d like to see some of these hetero
sexuals replaced by lesbians,” said Simmons, a
District 2, Post B candidate.
While Sara Tumipseed (District 1, Post B)
said she was opposed to discrimination, she said
that as an attorney she had difficulty with the
idea of “protected classes.” She also said she
would be surprised if anybody had been dis
criminated against in the Decatur school system.
Incumbent Tom Keating (District 1, Post B)
said he supported “broadening” the system’s
anti-discrimination clause, but he added that
school board members would need to discuss
which way to do that.
Keating turned the table on the audience. He
noted there has been money available for school-
based suicide prevention programs since 1980.
He asked why the gay community didn’t come
forward sooner.
“When there’s conflict, will you be there to
help us?” he asked. “Because this will cause
conflict.”
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