The Berkeley City Council saw the election of queer student Cecilia Lunaparra earlier this year following a special election. She joins Terry Taplin, a gay Black man, as an out member of the legislative body.
Taplin himself is seeking reelection this November in District 2. In District 6, two out men are seeking the council seat, meaning the council will see an increase in LGBTQ representation
Below are our recommendations.
Berkeley City Council District 2
Terry Taplin
Taplin should be returned to the City Council to continue working on critical issues he has pursued during his first term. He serves as the chair of the council's Public Safety and the Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment, and Sustainability Policy committees and is the city delegate to Alameda County Transportation Commission and the League of California Cities. Taplin was born and raised in Southwest Berkeley and represents the neighborhood he grew up in.
In his questionnaire, Taplin noted that he has supported, co-sponsored, and authored legislation to reform zoning to: enable and expand mixed-use multifamily construction along commercial corridors and at BART stations, and allow middle housing citywide; enable efficiency units; accelerate the production of accessory dwelling units; implement an affordable housing zoning overlay; deepen the city's level of investment in subsidized housing; and pursue publicly owned and democratically controlled social housing in the City of Berkeley.
In terms of increasing diversity and elevating qualified LGBTQ people, particularly queer people of color, to city boards and commissions, Taplin stated, "I will partner with leaders and orgs to identify appointees, build a bench, and promote mentorship opportunities."
Taplin supports affordable housing being constructed on BART property or near the transit stations. "Transit-oriented development is critical to reduce emissions and house people near jobs and multi-modal transportation options," he stated. "Affordable housing should be along every corridor and in every neighborhood."
Taplin has done a good job on the council these last four years. He has our endorsement, and voters in his district should reelect him.
Berkeley City Council District 6
Andy Katz
Residents in District 6 will see an out councilmember no matter who wins. Gay man Brent Blackaby and gay/bi man Andy Katz are both running for this seat. Taplin has endorsed both candidates. While both have excellent qualifications, we endorse Katz in the race, primarily because of his experience as a board member of the East Bay Municipal Utility District, to which he has either been elected or appointed since 2006. He has also served on Berkeley commissions over the years.
"I helped negotiate Berkeley's minimum wage increase and advanced affordable housing," Katz stated in his endorsement questionnaire. "As a Berkeley Community Health commissioner and an out LGBTQ community leader, I criticized the erasure of LGBTQ community data and health disparities in the city's 2018 Health Status Report, and later as commission chair, ensured that the current Community Health Assessment has gathered significant data specific to LGBTQ health disparities, and includes LGBTQ representation on the steering committee so Berkeley's future public health programs will address LGBTQ community needs."
He noted that he is working with Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín and other leaders to save Alta Bates Hospital, the city's only full-service acute care hospital and emergency room, which is slated to close in 2030.
"As a labor and civil rights, consumer protection, and environmental attorney, I've fought discrimination and harassment, and sought justice for hundreds of people against abusive corporations and insurance companies," Katz stated. "I've long supported affordable housing and strong renter protections."
We believe Katz would be a great addition to the City Council and endorse him in the race.
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