Voters Guide
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, to every member of the LGBTQ community that any other citizen is currently afforded.
Anti-Bullying
Trish Catalano (R)
Yes, I support the PA Safe School Act. I believe that no child or young adult should ever be harassed or bullied due to their sexual identity or preference. No child should ever have to chose between feeling safe and accepted in school or not attending for fear of ridicule or bullying. Our community loses out when a child drops out due to bullying or harassment. That child could have been our next teacher, our next doctor or lawyer, our next mayor or even our next president, but they will never have that opportunity to prove who they could have been. School is so much more than just book learning, it is where you learn to be a good citizen, a good friend, a good neighbor, where you learn compassion and how to help your community, its what teaches you a work ethic and where you learn to push yourself and to never give up. It also should be teaching our children that each one is special, yet our LGBTQ students are allowed to fall thru the cracks with no protection from bullying and harassment. School should be teaching you to succeed in every part of your life but by not protecting all of our children, we are failing not only as a community, but as a country.
Other
Trish Catalano (R)
I believe that all US Citizens should have the right to love and marry who they choose. We all need to take pride in our selves, our family and our community, and never should one persons views, stop you from living and enjoying their life to the fullest. I have many friends in the LBGTQ community and I would be so very proud to represent all of you on Erie County Council. I promise to be part of the solution instead of just another career politician that has made promises for over a decade and yet nothing has changed for the better or improved on a county level. It time to give someone new a chance to make all of our lives better.
COUNTY COUNCIL District 7
Anti-Discrimination
Carol Loll (R-Incumbent)
Yes. I voted for the Erie County Human Relations to have this added to the By-laws for enforcement in Erie County.
Anti-Bullying
Carol Loll (R-Incumbent)
Yes. All individuals should be protected no matter what race, religion, handicap, gender or sexual preference.
Other
Carol Loll (R-Incumbent)
All people are equal and it up to God to do the judging.
ERIE CITY COUNCIL
Not Responding: 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.
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, …").
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!
