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2023 Candidate SurveySurvey Question #1Question #2Question #3Questions #4Question #5Question #6Question #7Questions #8
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 Questions: PFLAG is creating a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQA+ people and those who love them. In light of PFLAG’s mission statement, what role if any do you believe a local elected official has representing our LGBTQA+ citizens?What does diversity mean to you?Did you attend any LGBTQA+/Pride events this year?  How would you go about recognizing and celebrating the LGBTQA+ community?What would you do to ensure equality for our transgender citizens?Would you support the FNSBSD recognizing October as LGBTQA+ History Month?What are your views regarding the teaching of LGBTQA+ issues in school, such as LGBTQA+ health issues in Health and LGBTQA+ history in History class?What are your views regarding transgender students participating on school sports teams?What level of participation in discussion and voting should the student representative on the board be allowed to have, especially given topics that can be controversial?
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 Response from FNSB Assembly Candidates
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Seat D
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Liz Reeves-RamosEvery local elected official is a leader in the community and should remember that they represent every single citizen in their region. This includes people within the LGBTQIA+ community. They should ensure that they are including members of this community in their decision making process and are striving to ensure that everyone feels welcome and included.Diversity means representation of all people. To have diversity means that all are represented, all races, ethnicities, genders, religions, sexual identities, ect. To get a well rounded view on a topic you need to understand how others view it, and in order to get those differing views, opinions and thoughts there need to be folks who represent those other views.I did not attend any LGBTQIA+ events this year. I honestly did not hear of any. Fairbanks doesn’t seem to have as much of a robust Pride as other areas. Maybe I am out of touch, I don’t do a lot of social events (other than campaigning). I have family members who are transgender and I celebrate them every day and ensure that they know they are loved and have tried to help them see beyond some of the narrow minded views that they have surrounded themselves in. Encouraging them to be their most authentic self and loving the person that they are becoming. I also have tried to have hard conversations with people who might not understand at this time and have trouble accepting others.By advocating for them publicly. I know that right now they are the target of so much hatred and vitriol and anti-transgender legislation. I want all people to be safe and happy in their lives and would make sure that I am doing my part to foster that environment for them. Also, I would use their preferred pronouns!Yes, 100%. I think representation like this is important. It is important for people within the LGBTQIA+ community to celebrate their history, to celebrate those that came before them and have helped shape this world, country, state, and borough into what it is today. LGBTQIA+ history is OUR history.I think that it is important to ensure that all students are represented in health and history in our schools. As I said above, their history is our history. Regarding health, it is vital that all students are educated in their bodies and how to be safe and take care of themselves.I am angered by the recent laws passed in Alaska regarding students only being able to participate in sports with their gender assigned at birth. It is anti-transness disguised as concern for cis gendered people. I don't support anything that is anti trans.The student representative should be equally involved in discussions and votes for all topics as all other members of the board.
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Tammie WilsonNo response
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Seat E
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Nick LaJinessNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo response
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Jimi CashNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo response
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Seat H
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Aaron GibsonNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo response
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Scott CrassI will do my level best to ensure that LGBTQA+ people have every protection afforded them by the law, helping to create a more equitable world for the LGBTQA+ community. When I am elected to the Borough Assembly I will take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the State of Alaska which states in Article one Section one that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness.Diversity means people from all different walks of life, spanning cultures, age groups, sex, gender, community and race.No, I’m a giant nerd who goes to planning meetings. My wife went to several pride events and I supported her by staying home with the kids.I would take a firm stance against any of the gender panic bathroom bills. The government should stay out of people’s pants.Yes, although I do not support Chastain Buttigeg. He knows what he did.I think that LGBTQA+ health issues should be covered as part of health education, they should be incorporated holistically, not “othered.” If you’re teaching human history it includes queer people, same with health.They should be allowed to participate on school sports teams.The student representative provides a valuable perspective and they are fully equipped to vote and should do so, especially on controversial topics.
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 Response from FNSBSD School Board Candidates
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Seat E
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Tim DoranAs an elected official I have the responsibility to represent all members of the Fairbanks community. In particular as a School Board member I am committed to providing "an excellent, equitable education in a safe, supportive environment so all students succeed and contribute to a diverse and changing society." (District Mission Statement). This sentiment is similarly reflected through the District's Vision Statement and Strategic Goals and is complementary to the PFLAG's mission statement. I believe strongly that every child, parent, staff member, and community member who walks through our doors should feel welcome and included. This was my stance as a long-time principal and my stance today.Each and every one of us is unique and we each bring something different to the table. We need to respect and recognize our similarities, differences and uniquenesses. The variations in our perspectives, experiences and backgrounds enriches each and all of us. I fully support helping develop a broad understanding and appreciation for the diversity among us -and education is one of the prominent venues to accomplish just that.Though I did not attend any specific Pride events this year, I actively testified before the State Board of Education against the proposed regulations regarding student participation in Interscholastic Activities which in my opinion discriminate against LGBTQA+ and all students. I also supported, spoke in favor of and voted for the recent District Resolutions in Honoring Indigenous Peoples Day and Recognizing LGBTQ History Month as I have done each year I have been on the Board. Similarly I am a consistent supporter of other resolutions recognizing the diversity within our schools, District and community.I have spoken on their behalf in multiple forums including before the Legislature and State Board of Education. I will continue to be an out-spoken voice that all means all and that indeed every student (person) should feel welcome, included and safe, not only in our schools but throughout our communities. My actions and comments over the last 6 years as a Fairbanks School Board member underscore and confirm my commitment to full inclusion, equality, and equity. They are foundational to public education.Yes. I supported, spoke in favor of and voted for this resolution since it was first brought forth for Board consideration in 2018. It is an important affirmation that all should know that they are welcome in our schools.I stand for having comprehensive curriculum that helps to inform students and teachers. My vote in favor of approving the recommended health supplement as a resource for the adopted Health Curriculum last June is a prime example of my views in this regard. Students should have developmentally appropriate access to sound information. Teachers should have access to resource materials that are reliable, informed and accurate. Students should be trusted to exercise good judgement in what they learn (indeed part of the skills development that students learn are exactly to this end). Teachers are professionals and should be trusted in handling information and resources in ways that enhance student learning.I do not believe that any grouping of students should be discriminated against including transgender students. As noted earlier, I testified against this action. I personally have learned more about gender complexities in recent years. I believe that the recent State Board of Education action is poor governance, detrimental to all students, and illegal. This conversation will continue and having voices on local school boards to advocate for recognition and inclusion are important. My bottom line is that I will not discriminate, marginalize, belittle or bully others. Nor will I tolerate policies that promote any of these.I fully support student representation and involvement on school boards. Indeed, if we are to be student-focused, it is imperative to have student representation and voice. They should be able to take part in discussions and deliberations and to ask questions to the same degree as any other member. Their advisory vote and ability to comment are vital to this process.
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Michael HumphryNo reponse
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Seat F
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Bobby BurgessAs the district superintendent, Dr. Luke Meinert, said in a statement in a recent board meeting, public schools are for everyone. That means that our schools must be environments where all students feel safe, comfortable, and welcome. A School Board member's role in providing this environment for students cannot be understated. The school board creates policy and directs the superintendent to implement the policy, approves curriculum and materials, and votes on resolutions that can help to affirm and normalize marginalized communities and identities. I believe it is an important role of any public official to represent all citizens and protect their rights. In the case of the school board, this means ensuring that schools remain a safe place for LGBTQIA+ students, families, and staff; that health, science, and history curriculum include information on LGBTQIA+ terminology, sex and gender determination, and historical figures and events, and that diversity, equity, and inclusion training that includes orientation and gender identity is required for all staff.As a molecular biologist and ecologist, I understand diversity to mean the variety of species within an ecosystem and the variation of genotype and phenotype within a species or population. I also understand that it is this variety within species that often helps species survive changing conditions or environments as they adapt to their surroundings through natural selection. In addition, I understand that sex determination varies amongst and within species, including humans, and is based on both genetics and environmental factors. As a Star Trek fan, I understand that a core message of that franchise has always been that diversity makes us stronger, and I believe that this applies in real life as well. Our different perspectives, strengths, and experiences give us opportunities to learn and grow from each other. As an ethical and compassionate human being and community member, diversity means that all are included, regardless of race, class, sexual orientation, sex, gender, gender expression, age, or any other factors. Diversity means that we listen to and respect all voices, strive to understand each other's perspectives, and ensure that all are treated fairly and with respect. That we recognize and embrace the differences among us and understand that our backgrounds give us different and valuable experiences.I had the privilege to attend the Rainbow Picnic on July 1. I enjoyed the event and its celebration of diversity, and I was happy to learn about many of the local issues that LGBTQ+ people are facing in our borough from local organizations and individuals who I spoke to. I have participated in many pride events over the years, beginning as a teenager, and I have always felt at home amongst the LGBTQIA+ community, as I feel it is a community with which everyone can be their true and authentic self. As a school board member, I would recognize and celebrate the community by voting for resolutions recognizing LGBTQ+ history month and other periods or days of remembrance and recognition, and I would promote diversity, equity, and inclusion training for staff that includes intersectionality and LGBTQIA+ concerns. I would also be a voice for curriculum that is inclusive of the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalized groups, so that all of our students can see themselves in the curriculum.As a board member I would strive to ensure that the district, schools, administrators and educators focus on making our schools safe and welcome for everyone, and that gender identities, pronouns, and names of students and staff are respected. Transgender people should be allowed to participate on sports teams and use the bathroom that fits their gender identity. Transgender people are not a threat or a risk to others, but are under threat and at high risk of bullying and discrimination. I would strive to implement policies that allow all students and staff to be who they are without fear of discrimination.Yes, wholeheartedly and without reservation. It is important for students to understand the contributions of historical figures who are or were members of the LGBTQ community and the struggles and discrimination that these groups have overcome and continue to face today. All students, and staff, should understand that LGBTQIA+ identities are normal and have been around for all of human history, with many cultures recognizing these identities.I believe they should be taught, and LGBTQIA+ identities should not be erased from curriculum due to some people considering them to be “controversial.” The existence of LGBTQIA+ people is factual, not controversial.Transgender students should have the same rights, privileges, and opportunities that are afforded to all of our students, including being able to participate in sports with a team where they can be comfortable with their gender identity. There is no evidence that trans athletes have a competitive edge over cisgender athletes, and I know of no good reason to exclude transgender students from participating in student athletics with a team that matches their gender identity or is where they feel comfortable.Student representatives on the school board should have an advisory vote and be able to participate fully in discussion and debate. I am very disappointed in the recent vote in the Mat-Su school district to remove the student representative advisory vote and I would fight to protect that student voice on our local school board. I have been impressed with the statements of some of our recent student representatives with regard to inclusivity and recognition of LGBTQ history month.
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April SmithNo response
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Seat G
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Meredith MapleLocally elected officials are obligated to represent their entire community, including LGBTQA+ members of that community. That means creating respectful and inclusive policies.Diversity means an inclusive environment that represents ALL people. Our student body is diverse and our policies and leadership should reflect and respect that diversity.As a member of the queer community I am thrilled to see our small community show up to celebrate Pride and I certainly participate! I would like to see LGBTQ history month recognized permanently so that we do not have to expose queer folks ot hate speech every year when it is time to review the resolution.Trans kids belong in every space that any other student belongs. Targeting an already deeply marginalized community is shameful and I will always work to counteract that targeting.Absolutely.Comprehensive health curriculum is known to create happier and healthier young adults. Inclusion of LGBTQA+ health issues is absolutely imperative. All students already learn about queer folks in their history classes every year, because as it turns out, we have always existed! Teachers should be empowered to teach accurate and appropriate history, not to censor history to appease some loud voices.The concept that trans students participating on school sports teams will somehow create an unfair dynamic is rooted in misinformation. Trans students deserve to participate in sports just like their peers.We should trust that our student representative is capable of partaking in difficult conversations about controversial topics. I think the student representative advisory role is a powerful one and I am grateful that it is a part of FNSBSD's approach.
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Maggie MathesonNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo responseNo response
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 Response from City of Fairbanks Council Candidates
City Council Candidates were not asked these four questions.
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Seat E
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Sean MacDonaldLocal government has an essential responsibility to protect all of it’s citizens, especially those under threat like citizens who are part of the LGBTQA+ community. In regards to LGBTQA+ citizens, local government needs to be able to listen to concerns, act timely and effectively to address those concerns, and make sure that they feel safe and empowered in our city.Diversity means, to me, the ability for everyone to feel protected and confident enough to present their strengths. Local government has the power and responsibility to create an environment for diversity to thrive.I did not, I’m a homebody. It is essential for public officials to attend and promote events that strengthen our city, so if I’m fortunate enough to be elected I will have to attend more community oriented events that celebrate our diverse city.The city needs to make sure that transgender citizens are not excluded, or feel excluded, from actively participating in our city. I would seek out opinions from transgender citizens on the best ways to achieve and maintain this necessity.
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Lonny MarneyNo responseNo responseNo responseNo response
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Seat F
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Shoshana KunThe role of an elected official is to represent all residents with equality and inclusivity. This includes our LGBTQIA2S+ family, friends, and allies. An elected official could also reintroduce a non-discrimination ordinance.Diversity means to me equity and inclusion. To accept all and make folx feel appreciated and included. To maintain an open mind to our differences and celebrate them.I attended Angry, young, and poor gathering which is an inclusive festival in June which also celebrates LGBTQIA2S+ family, friends, and allies. Of course I wore my Pride hat. As an elected official, I support bringing forward a resolution to recognize June as LGBTQIA2S+ Pride month.Accept all people equally. As a elected official, I support bringing forward a resolution to recognize transgender historical days such as Trans Day of Visibility. Of course, I would consult organizations such as PFLAG to see if they feel well about introducing such resolutions due to the political climate and attacks on our transgender community right now. The last thing I would want is to increase anti-LGBTIA2S+ sentiments in the Golden Heart City.
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John RingstadNo responseNo responseNo responseNo response
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 No Response from City of North Pole Council Candidates
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Ellen GlabNo responseNo responseNo responseNo response
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Larry Terch IIINo responseNo responseNo responseNo response
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Benjamin Williams JrNo responseNo responseNo responseNo response
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