2013

City Council Candidate Questionnaire

Candidate Information Full Name: Ken Biberaj Address: 54 W. 76th Street, New York, NY 10023 Personal Phone: 703- 593-0608 Work Phone: 646- 707-0817 Personal Email: ken2013uws@gmail.com District Information District #: 6th District (Manhattan, Upper West Side) Are you an incumbent? NO If yes, when were you first elected? Campaign Information From which parties are you seeking a nomination: Democratic Full Name of Campaign Committee: Ken2013 Campaign HQ Address: 54 W. 76th Street, 4R, New York, NY 10023 HQ Phone: 646-707-0817 HQ Fax: n/a Campaign Manager Name: Mediha Kosovrasti Managers Cell: 609-954-5381 Managers Email: mediha@ken2013.com Please return to Robert Atterbury at Robert.Atterbury@gmail.com by April 15, 2013, with SDNYC Questionnaire [Candidate Name] as the subject. Additional Candidate Information

Endorsements List here the union, organizations (community, civic, media, issue groups), and elected officials that have endorsed you. Many unions, community groups, or issue groups have not endorsed yet in this race, and we are waiting to hear back from these groups. My campaign is about bringing renewed energy to the Upper West Side while standing for the progressive values that make our neighborhood strong. To date, I have brought my campaign directly to the voters: standing at subway stations, attending community forums, and hosting house parties. As we move forward, I hope to be endorsed by organizations such as the Stonewall Dems that share my values and the values of my community. Candidate Experience Please explain any activities and/or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to the LGBT movement.

As a life long Democrat, I have spent many years supporting Democratic candidates around the country. After graduating with a Master's in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, I joined John Kerry's presidential campaign in 2004, serving as his Policy Research Director in Florida. In that capacity, I worked to advance a progressive agenda in the campaign that supported advancing LGBT rights. What experience do you have to demonstrate you are the best person to represent the district office you seek?

I believe we are the hardest working campaign in our district. Our grassroots campaign is running successfully. We are building support across the district, but we need the help of groups like SDNYC to help strengthen our message and set us apart from other candidates. We want to stress that we need renewed energy in City Hall after Mayor Bloomberg leaves. I stand for the issues that SDNYC is most focused on and would be honored to have your support in this race. I entered the race last March and by July of last year we raised all the money that we need for the entire election (over $130,000) from nearly 900 donors. I am now solely focused on meeting residents of the Upper West Side. I have been crisscrossing the neighborhood to meet people at house parties and at subway stations. Additionally, I believe our focus on small businesses and the future of the City set us apart from our opponents. I have the support of many local small businesses who believe that I can advocate for them.

Please detail any specific policy proposals you may have that will affect the LGBT community, that are not addressed in the next section.

I am running for City Council because it matters. I believe that local City office has more of an impact on our day to day lives than Congress. I am looking forward to working with groups like yours to help the lives of all New Yorkers. Policy Positions Please answer the following questions in full, using your policy proposals and including specific examples of your previous actions on any given topic when possible. Marriage Do you support full marriage equality for same-sex couples? YES Will you work with New Yorks congressional delegation to support the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act? YES Adoption: Do you support full adoption rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples? YES Human Rights Do you support equal rights and treatment for people of transgender experience in the New York Shelter System, both adult shelters and youth shelters? YES HIV/AIDS In 2011, Mayor Bloomberg proposed cutting 248 case managers and millions in rental assistance from the HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA). Individual legislators ended up using discretionary funds to fill the gap. Do you support increased funding for the HASA? YES Please explain your position on using discretionary funds to support agencies like HASA.

I believe providing adequate access to healthcare and social services is one of the biggest challenges we face as a City. I think every New Yorker deserves these basic rights, and as a Councilmember I would advocate for sustainable ways to provide for these services for individuals who need them most. We should not solely rely on discretionary funding for challenges that impact many New Yorkers.

What actions do you think the City Council should be taking to provide emergency housing for homeless people living with AIDS? Homelessness is a problem for many New Yorkers, and we need to address this issue not just by providing housing, but by providing the appropriate healthcare, mental health, and social services to those who are homeless. For many individuals, homelessness is linked with medical and social concerns. City homeless shelters need to be adequately equipped to employ social workers, mental health professionals, as well as social service employees. Furthermore, the City is responsible for providing a roof for anyone who is in need. City contracts for homeless shelters operate under a Fair Share rule, which states that every neighborhood in the City is required to take on their fair share of service centers. I would advocate for enforcement of this rule on the part of the City, since there are some neighborhoods that have a disproportionate amount of services in their communities. Being able to access the space and resources of all neighborhoods would lead to more options for creating emergency housing, temporary housing, or even permanent housing.

AIDS funding no longer corresponds to the demographics of which communities represent the greatest number of HIV cases in NYC. Would you support yearly statistics of both the geographic areas where HIV is most prevalent and as well as which populations in those neighborhoods are most effected, and then allocate yearly funding to services and communities based on these results?

The more research and information we have, the better equipped we are to make informed decisions. Yearly statistics should be made available to legislators on this issue. And, because new HIV cases must be reported to DOHMH, this should not be a difficult task for City health officials. I think we also need to look at the history of preventative measures in particular communities and neighborhoods before shifting funding. Perhaps the reason there is a lower prevalence of HIV in communities that were previously afflicted is because the funding/programs in that community are working, and need to be continued for success. Either way, a comprehensive needs assessment that includes statistics, history, and current program evaluations.

Community Boards: Many Community Boards routinely oppose applications for liquor licenses in their areas, particularly if the proposed venue is tailored to appeal to the LGBT community. Please explain your position on the appropriate balance between support for nightlife, minority communities and respect for neighborhood concerns.

I think small businesses face many challenges from the City as well as their local Community Boards. I am making support for small businesses, especially women and minority owned small businesses, a priority on my campaign. If elected, I believe our City Councilmembers District office should serve as a sort of economic development office for the neighborhood, where businesses owners and community members can come and learn about their rights. I believe that the more spaces we create for dialogue, information, and education, the more we can create the appropriate balance you suggest. Please outline the criteria you would use in selecting Community Board members.

I believe that Community Boards should be representative of the communities they serve. I would aim to ensure that members accurately represented their constituents and were well informed about the issues affecting the neighborhood. NYPD The NYPD often targets bars, restaurants and clubs serving the LGBT community for increased scrutiny. They have used health code violations, allegations of drug use or sale, allegations of prostitution, allegations of serving minors, and a myriad of tools at their disposal. What changes would you implement to ensure LGBT institutions are treated equally by enforcement agencies?

Often times, minority populations are stigmatized, and it is not something that I support. In my District I would advocate for community liaisons from different community groups that would be available for dialogue with the enforcement officials. Again, I think dialogue is key for addressing concerns. The 20th precinct holds monthly community meetings. In addition to their reporting the statistics of the number of arrests and other enforcement activities, the Department can also report on their outreach and community based initiatives, therefore holding them responsible for the work they should continuously be doing to better their Precinct. Do you support reforming Stop-and-Frisk? Please detail any specific changes to the program you believe are necessary.

I dont believe enforcement officials should be committing crimes to prevent crimes. I am not in favor of stop-and-frisk because it violates the rights of New Yorkers.

Do you oppose the use of condoms as evidence of prostitution in criminal cases? Please explain your support or opposition.

Yes. Using the possession of condoms as evidence to prosecute criminal cases is irresponsible and stigmatizing. Like needle exchange programs, we need to work from a harm reduction model when trying to help individuals. Runaway and Homeless Youth Will you support increasing the funding for both emergency shelter beds and transitional beds for homeless youth, a huge percentage of whom are from the LGBT community and will you pledge to support capital and expense funding for programs serving this population? YES What will you do to expand access to services for runaway and homeless youth?

Runaway and homeless youth should have access to services, as should every New Yorker. We need to work with existing structures and employ strategies that will make services more accessible to youth, especially LGBT youth because they are most vulnerable for homelessness. LGBT Services and Funding: The LGBT community has no direct funding for the arts from the NEA or other funding sources because of institutional homophobia. Would your office help with funding for LGBT Arts? If yes, please explain how. I believe in New Yorks institutions. The arts are an integral part of New York, especially the Upper West Side. I am in favor of helping fund the arts, including funding for the LGBT community. I look forward to strategizing for the best ways possible to increase our efforts in the arts. The LGBT community is in great need of senior housing for many of our aging population. Many seniors experience homophobia in senior facilities making them feel they must be closeted. Would you help with the funding of senior housing for the LGBT community in your district? YES

The Upper West Side is an aging community. We must create living spaces that are affordable and sustainable for all seniors, including seniors in the LGBT community. I would like to learn more about what is needed for seniors in the LGBT community to feel safe in senior facilities.

 If you are currently in office, have you made member item grants or supported LGBT funding requests? If seeking office for the first time, would you give strong consideration to LGBT social service organizations seeking funding from your office if elected? YES I believe in increased access to services for all New Yorkers, especially those in communities that have historically experienced roadblocks to access. What actions will you take to help support the LGBT community center in your borough? If there is not an LGBT community center in your borough, what actions will you take to help develop one?

The LGBT center in the West Village is a remarkable center providing much needed resources and programming to many New Yorkers. I would work to ensure this center is properly funded. I would also work to educate my constituents on the Upper West Side about this center so they may utilize it or donate to it to make sure programming continues. LGBT Services and Funding: Please state concrete achievements for the LGBT community that you are responsible for in your current, or previous, elected office/s.

As a first time candidate, I look forward to being a vocal advocate for the LGBT community. Have you endorsed any LGBT candidates? Which ones?

I have not endorsed any candidates. If endorsed will you display the endorsement of the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC in your literature whenever you list other endorsements and will you display the endorsement on your website? YES, proudly! Will you hire openly LGBT staff and/or designate a liaison to our communities if elected? YES

I will hire staff regardless of race, sexual orientation, age, sex, gender, religious affiliation, ability status. I hope to have a liaisons and allies from my office to many communities, including the LGBT community. I hope to also have members of your communities to engage with our office to make the Upper West Side a safe and inclusive neighborhood for all.