Questionnaire from RI NOW

Evidently, the Rhode Island chapter of the National Organization for Women is keeping an eye on General Assembly elections, because their political action committee sent me a questionnaire. Here is a list of the questions they asked, and the answers I provided. I'll skip part A, which covers general information.

B. Reproductive health
B1. Do you think comprehensive sex education should be taught in public schools?
Yes. None of that abstinence-only nonsense.
B2. Do you support public funding for abortion for low-income women?
Yes. Especially as part of a national health-care system.
B3. Current RI law requires minors seeking abortions to notify a parent or get permission from a judge. Do you favor repealing this law?
Yes.
B4. Do you support limitations on a woman's access to abortion?
No.
B5. During the last several legislative sessions, a "24 Hour Waiting Bill" was introduced which would increase informed consent requirements for abortion services, require multiple trips to the doctor's office to fulfill the waiting requirement, require rigorous reporting by doctors, grant rights to "fathers" and "grandparents", and require disclosure regarding who would be performing the abortion procedure. Do you/would you oppose such legislation?
Yes.

Part C: Violence against women
C1. Do you support funding services for women who are victims of domestic violence, as well as for children who witness domestic violence?
Yes.
C2. Do you support comprehensive legislation to address the issue of human trafficking in Rhode Island, including funding for victim services?
Yes.

D: Constitutional equality
D1. Do you support adding an Equal Rights Amendment to the state and U.S. Constitution?
Yes.

E: Lesbian, gay, bisexual , and transgendered (LGBT) rights
E1. Do you support legal marriage for same sex couples?
Yes.
E2. Do you support some other form of legal recognition for same sex couples, such as civil unions?
Yes. Civil unions would be better than nothing, but I would prefer full marriage equality.
E3. Do you support a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage?
No.

F: Economic equality
F1. The Woman's Fund of Rhode Island published a report regarding the status of women and girls in Rhode Island. In it, they state that "Part Time work, occupational segregation, and the wage gap mean that women at all educational levels are twice as likely to be poor as men." Do you believe there is a role for public policy to play in addressing this issue?
Yes.
F2. Do you support affirmative action?
Yes.

G: Racial justice
G1. During this passt legislative session, many anti-immigration bills were introduced at the State House that would impact women and children. What is your position on the issure regarding immigration in our state?
I oppose placing further legal disabilities on immigrants, who already face too many disabilities in our current legal and social climate. I favor granting a path to citizenship to all illegal immigrants.

H. Leadership
H1. What leadership have you taken on issues that impact women, including but not limited to the issues addressed in this questionnaire?
Sadly, as a private citizen I have had little opportunity to take a leadership role in any issues, other than the occasional letter to the editor.
H2. If elected, on what issues affecting women would you be willing to take a leadership role?
I feel very strongly that the current demonization of immigrants is unhealthy and anti-democratic, and I will do everything in my power to oppose it.
H3. Do you have any additional comments regarding your positions on issues that impact women and girls in Rhode Island?
Anything that endangers the dignity and well-being of any person is a threat to all of us. Women are one of the groups who have traditionally suffered discrimination in our society, and are at particular risk from those who seek to roll back the progress that has been made in gaining equality for everybody. I intend to help protect those gains, and I intend to continue the effort to advance our society toward full equality for everyone.