A recent Guest Opinion by the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club co-chairs [April 10] indicated that their endorsement of Supervisor David Chiu in the Assembly District 17 race rewarded an ally for his supportive record of LGBT issues. As LGBT Latinos, we are insulted at the generic way in which Supervisor David Campos, a strong LGBT Latino leader, was disregarded. It is a disappointing reminder of how far we still have to go to achieve true diversity and recognition within our community.
The Alice club argues that Chiu is the most effective choice for San Franciscans, "and more specifically, the LGBT community." Naturally, we have to ask: what makes Campos less qualified or effective to serve the LGBT community? As an LGBT Latino himself, surely he must have made multiple egregious blunders for an LGBT club to decide that a straight ally can better represent our issues and needs. Yet from our review, Campos frequently fought for continued funding for HIV/AIDS and to restore Ryan White monies. He led the struggle to obtain funding to prevent violence against the transgender community, advocated for emergency shelter and services for queer youth, pushed for developers to disclose anti-discrimination policies against gays and lesbians, and co-authored legislation to create the LGBT Aging Policy Task Force.
So, exactly what leadership has Chiu shown on behalf of the LGBT community? While Campos has been a tireless advocate and leader on LGBT issues, Chiu has been a reliable vote. We sincerely respect and appreciate Chiu's support, but reliable votes are very different from genuine and effective LGBT leadership. So, rather than ask what makes Campos less qualified to represent the needs of the LGBT community, the question should be: what more could he possibly have done? Not one single reason is provided. Nor is there an explanation as to why the LGBT community should relinquish what has been an LGBT Assembly seat for over a decade. Instead, the work of the two "Davids" is offhandedly equated as simply "two great candidates vying to represent us."
As LGBT Latinos, we come from diverse fields and professions; we are artists, service providers, educators, performers, tradesmen/women, and laborers. Yet, we are all familiar with equivocating positions that seek to deny us seats at the table either because we are Latino or queer or both. In our struggles for justice, equity, and diversity, we've learned to read through the hyperbole and lip service. It is an offensive, disingenuous, and flimsy argument to rationalize support for Chiu as a desire to build a broad-based coalition when it is done at the expense of an underrepresented segment of our own LGBT community. In fact, Campos's victory will be groundbreaking for several reasons. Most significantly, Campos will be the first Latino assemblyman ever elected from San Francisco. He will also be the first immigrant elected from San Francisco. Moreover, Campos has a long record of bringing together diverse coalitions of people. Aside from his support from the LGBT and Latino communities, he has won significant support from women, labor, youth, immigrants, tenants, and teachers. That's why so much is at stake when a strong leader and champion arises in spite of the racism, homophobia, and as in Campos's case, xenophobia. In 2014, electing an exceptionally qualified and effective Latino Assemblyman from San Francisco is long overdue!
Campos's candidacy is momentous and personal for us. Campos knows firsthand the struggles that face our communities. As our brother, he understands the multiple forms of discrimination we face on a daily basis and how they all contribute to the tremendous disparities in economics, health, education, and employment. He is effective at identifying creative and impactful policy solutions to address longstanding problems. Moreover, Campos hasn't merely amassed a good voting record; he has taken the risks to lead and champion many of the issues that directly impact our communities. Because of these attributes, we believe Campos is the most qualified candidate in the race. When he is elected, he will take this same passion, resourcefulness, and political commitment to Sacramento where his efforts will have the same positive effect on California.
Support for Campos was an opportunity for the Alice club to show that it could be an ally to the Latino community through our shared candidate. At a time when the country is working to address health disparities and immigration reform, the Latino community needs Campos's unique and capable leadership skills. As California realignment begins releasing nonviolent juveniles and adults into our communities, we will need Campos's advocacy for communities of color to obtain restorative justice services and reduce recidivism rates. As poverty, unemployment, and a lack of educational, workforce, and housing opportunities continue to plague our community, we know that Campos will do much more than vote appropriately on the hard-fought legislation of others.
As assemblyman, Campos will continue to be the legislative champion he has been in San Francisco. Just as he has done in the city, he will stand with and support the underrepresented, and take the lead to make change. As LGBT Latinos, we stand with Campos and the many communities and constituencies he has championed. We encourage all members of our community to support Campos, the first Latino assemblyman from San Francisco.
Esperanza Macias is an activist, former officer of the Latino Democratic Club, Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club, and Queer Latino political action committee. Lito Sandoval is an activist, artist, and former co-chair of AGUILAS. This piece was also co-authored by Erick Arguello, Marga Gomez, Lisette Lucas, Erik Martinez, Tia Martinez, Isa Noyola, Henry Pacheco, Ana Perez, Lucho Ramirez, Belinda Reyes, Juana Maria Rodriguez, Sam Rodriguez, Criss Romero, Olga Talamante, and Victor Valdiviezo.