STONEWALL DEMOCRATS of Western New York

PO Box 857, Buffalo, NY 14205 Website:

www.stonewalldemocratswny.com

2009 ENDORSEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE

BUFFALO SCHOOL BOARD

Name: REBEKAH ANNE WILLIAMS

Campaign Address: 208 NORTH STREET, BUFFALO, NY 14201
Daytime Phone: (716) 359-3082 Evening Phone: (716) 882-6003
Fax Number: E-mail: rebekahforschoolboard@gmail.com
Office Sought: Buffalo School Board – At-Large

Typewritten responses to your questions:

1) Why are you seeking this office?

I want to make sure that all children have the foundation they need to be able to excel in school and in
life.

2) Why are you seeking the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats of WNY
We are going to win this campaign for the School Board through grassroots support and action. I need
the support of everyone and every group that has the same values and principles as I.

3) What three issues do you consider to be most important to the people served by the office you seek?
For each issue:
a) Provide an example of specific action(s) you have previously taken—either as a public official or as
a private citizen—to bring about positive change relative to this issue; and
b) Specify what additional action(s) in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected to the office
you seek.
i. Lack of mutual respect and safety in our schools and throughout the district – I raise my son to
understand that everyone is inherently good and deserves equal respect. He was raised with
the belief that all people, regardless of their background, age, or choices in life, have something
important to share with us. As a School Board member I will research and promote policy such
as those employed by the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) and the Comer Process, both
which have been implemented by schools or school districts throughout the country to involve
the whole community in developing a culture of mutual respect within the school environment.
ii. Lack of healthy options in our school cafeterias and safe routes to schools in the surrounding
neighborhoods – I served on the steering committee of the Montessori Outdoor Learning
Environment (MOLE) to serve the produce grown in the garden outside Bennett Park Montessori
School, BPS #32 in the school cafeteria, volunteered in the school garden, and taught
workshops in the classrooms at BPS #32 about seed germination. As a School Board Member I
will raise awareness about legislation being introduced on the state level and encourage local
initiative to provide fresh, local and healthy options in our schools and I will work with the
Greater Buffalo Wellness Institute to bring the Safe Routes to Schools initiatives to our district.
iii. Lack of parent and community involvement – Before I started my full-time career, I was a very
active parent within my son's school. I often went into the school and volunteered in his
classroom reading stories to groups of kids and helping kids with their classroom work. As a
Board Member I will do my best to include parents, students, and the community in every part of
the decision making process. I will research and seek creative ways that other school districts
have involved parents and the larger community, and encourage implementation of those
methods within our district through policy or by other means.

4) What three civil rights issues do you percieve to be the most important to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender (GLBT) community? For each issue:
a) Provide an example of specific action(s) you have previously taken—either as a public official or as
a private citizen—to bring about positive change relative to this issue; and
b) Specify what additional action(s) in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected to the office
 you seek.
i. Unequal marriage laws in most US states do not recognize same-sex marriages and do not
provide equal benefits to same-sex couples – I vote for public officials who will recognize the
inherent right for same-sex couples to marry and to equal benefits under the law. I taught my
son at an early age that it is each individuals natural right and calling to be intimate with
whomever they desire and that marital commitments between all couples is a beautiful thing.
My son was a “flower boy” in the wedding ceremony of two of my very good female friends at
Trinity Church on Delaware Avenue, I felt blessed to have my son take part in that ceremony
which reaffirmed in him the beauty and sanctity of that ritual for all couples. As a board member
I will promote policy that insists the School Board, teachers and support staff unions recognize
same-sex unions as equal to man-and-woman unions in terms of benefits offered.
ii. Lack of freedom of expression for GLBT individuals in schools and public institutions – as an
elementary student, I spoke out against homophobic comments from my peers in regards to a
teacher who was gay. I have also organized an ally training in the cooperative household that I
live in. As a School Board member I will promote policy that protects the right of students and
staff to come out to the school population, and I will promote policy that implements diversity and
ally trainings for school staff, administrators, teachers, parent groups and the general public.
iii. Descrimination towards transgender individuals – I encouraged the cafe, where I spend time, to
put up a sticker circulated by the transgender community “We love transgender people”. I speak
out in public about transgender issues and personally conduct research about transgender
issues so that I will be better informed. As a School Board member, I will promote schools to
offer safe spaces (including bathrooms) for transgender individuals and to include transgender
awareness in diversity trainings and in public school education.

5) Stonewall Democrats of WNY strongly believes that candidates have a responsibility to provide voters
with truthful, fair and clean campaigns for public office and to conduct themselves in a manner
conducive to a civil, issue-oriented debate with their fellow candidates. Will you sign a written pledge to
conduct your campaign accordingly?
Yes.

6) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you list the endorsement on all applicable
campaign literature (i.e., all literature listing any other endorsements)?
Yes.

7) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you attend a GLBT community forum to introduce
endorsed candidates?
Yes.

8) Please describe how you will eliminate prejudice in your own office if elected.
My office will embrace people from all backgrounds based on their desire to help students succeed and I
will insist on mutual respect through a culture of participation, learning from each other, and seeking
input from everyone in the community to ensure the educational and emotional success of all Buffalo
Public School students.

9) Please describe how your election to this office would be a benefit to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender community.
To the best of my ability, I will be an ally on the Buffalo School Board for GLBT individuals and couples.

10) What are you doing or what will you do to advocate for greater GLBT representation and empowerment
at the ballot box and in elected office locally?
I offer a fresh, open-minded perspective, and I am concerned about issues that effect all children from a
diversity of backgrounds and experiences. I will increase GLBT representation and empowerment at the
ballot box because I will speak out for GLBT parents, students and teachers throughout our city. This
will bring GLBT individuals to the voting booths on election day. People need public officials whom they
can believe in and turn to for service.

Typewritten responses to yes/no questions:

11) Should teachers and administrators get specific training about harassment, bullying, and intimidation of
 GLBT students and staff? Yes

Explanation: Our schools need to be safe spaces for all students and staff, and as leaders we need to
ensure that teachers and administrators have the training and support they need to ensure that safety
and respect.

12) Do you support the voluntary formation of Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in high schools and community
colleges? Yes

Explanation: There needs to be collaboration amongst Buffalo Schol Board members, students,
parents, teachers, and the general community in order to ensure safety and respect within our schools
and throughout the district. Gay-Straight Alliance clubs will encourage awareness about GLBT issues
and presence, and will encourage straight students and teachers to show their support and allyship for
their peers.

13) Would you advocate for the right of students to take a same-sex partner to school functions?
Yes

Explanation: Same-sex couples deserve the same rights as straight couples to participate in public
functions. I would publicly challenge any argument against that right.

14) Do you believe that entities receiving public funds or resources should be allowed to violate non-
discrimination policies (for example, the Boy Scouts allowed rent-free facilities at the public expense)?
Yes

Explanation: We need to allow freedom of speech and encourage collaboration amongst everyone
concerned about our children, but as leaders we should insist that organizations who display a tradition
of prejudice and bigotry have all their members (youth, parents and adults) participate in trainings and
awareness workshops before they receive any public funds or are approved to use rent-free facilities.

15) Do you support the inclusion of age-appropriate education about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
issues? What kind of instruction and when? Yes

Explanation: With my own son, I include matter-of-fact information about sexuality, gender issues, and
sex ed in our conversations as I feel it is appropriate and applicable to the situation. In terms of other
children, I believe that GLBT education should be included in health, social studies, and current events
classes in all age levels, and we need to ensure that the teachers offering these courses are informed
about GLBT experiences and issues.

16) Would you work to include gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender parents in school acitivities?
Yes

Explanation: In order for all children to succeed, we need to embrace mutual respect, collaboration,
and parent involvement. We need to ensure that we are encouraging parents to participate at every
level of the district and within the school community, and that we respect all parents regardless of
differences.

17) Would you support mandatory diversity training for public education employees that include GLBT
issues? Yes

Explanation: In order to have mutual respect, people must be aware of the issues and experiences of
people other then themselves.

18) Would you advocate on behalf of a student who identifies as gendered other than that of his or her
biological sex, and if so, what accommodations would be appropriate?
Yes

Explanation: We will have to take steps in order to ensure that transgendered individuals have the
physical space and community support they need to be comfortable and respected within their school
 environments. One step would be to implement policy that there be at least one bathroom in every
school that is designated as a gender non-specific restroom, which is always accessible to students and
staff who wish to change in to gym clothes and use the toilet facilities outside of the “Girls” or “Boys”
restrooms. Straight students could also choose to use these restroom to show support for their peers.

19) Do you support the right of GLBT teachers, teacher's aides, counselors, coaches, or administrators to be
“out” to their students? If so, under what circumstances? Yes

Explanation: If GLBT teachers, teacher's aides, couselors, coaches, and administrators are
comfortable, I would encourage that they be “out” to their students in order to show GLBT youth that their
inclinations are normal and acceptable. As with any school staff, there will be no tolerating fraternization
between students and staff, and staff should show professionalism in how they conduct themselves with
their partners (gay or straight) within school grounds and in school social functions (i.e. absolutely no
sexual explicity in speech or action, accept when part of educational curriculum or study).

20) Would you support the inclusion of domestic partner benefits in all school personnel contracts?
Yes

Explanation: All people should have the right to equal benefits and opportunities.

21) Do you support marriage equity (equal marriage laws, permitting same-sex couples to marry under state
law, just as opposite-sex couples do)? Yes

Explanation: There needs to be equal opportunities and rights for all individuals and couples.

22) Would you publicly oppose a state constitutional amendment initiative that would seek to limit marriage
to one man and one woman? Yes

Explanation: Anyone who chooses to marry, should have their marriage recognized under law. This
right should be the express decision of those involved. I would publicly oppose a state constitutional
amendment that would seek to limit that right to certain people.