WATCH: DC Mayor Adrian Fenty Defends Record on LGBT Issues

Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty is facing a strong primary challenge from City Council Member Vincent Gray. Fenty and Gray both have outstanding records on LGBT rights but a number of the District's more vocal LGBT activists have criticized Fenty for not being more "visible" in the community. Fenty responded to that and other questions in an expansive interview with the Washington Blade.

Watch the interview AFTER THE JUMP ...

"I’ve got to do a much better job being more visible in my second term, and I will," said the mayor. "I’ve got to get out in people’s doorsteps, at community events. You name it. I did not do as good of a job as I should have in my first term as mayor in getting out to the community."

Fenty touted his Administration's strong record on LGBT issues.

I think gay marriage and marriage equality is the biggest thing to happen over the past three-and-a-half years. When the bill was introduced, I think it meant a lot to the people who introduced it and to the community that I expressed my full support and that I said I would sign it as soon as it came to my desk. I think that left a lot of people feeling very certain that it would move fast through the local government, which I think helped prevent naysayers in the federal government and Congress from being opposed to it.

We’ve also been very supportive of GLBT businesses. We’ve been very supportive of equality in the workplace, in hiring. The chief [D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier] has done a fantastic job in really trying to address some of the hate crimes that are sometimes being committed against our GLBT neighbors. So it’s been a great four years and we’re really looking forward to the next four years in a second term after the Democratic primary.

Fenty responded again to the PFOX controversy. Fenty said it was a "mistake"  for a low-level staffer to award a certificate to the executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays

The newspaper aggressively questioned Fenty about anti-gay hate crimes in the District and the recent spate of anti-gay hate crime-related violence. Curiously, the interviewer brought up the recent stabbing murder of Delando King, which was not bias-related but a "pickup" homicide that was quickly solved.

FWIW: There is always considerable discussion of crime in and around DuPont Circle but low income people and Black LGBT in Southeast and Anacostia are victimized by much more violent crime. A lot more. It is often under-reported or ignored.

Watch the interview AFTER THE JUMP ...

Comments

[TheRevKev]

My God, is that Lou Chibarro doing the interview? I got interview by him for the Blade in the early 90s! He's still doing his thing!

GREAT INTERVIEW and I think he's been a strong and wonderful asset to the city and I hope that DC does the right thing by Mayor Fenty and doesn't just run to the next trick pony because they want to be able to show that they can simply unseat someone.

But GO DC. What a struggle to have with 2 strong candidates!

[Wolff]

I think Mayor Fenty is doing a very good job. I hate to say this, but most of the "vocal LGBT activists" criticizing the mayor are of a certain complexion. And it's not black.

I don't know what will make them happy. Fenty said years ago he would sign the bill and he did. Now they're saying he's not visible enough in the gay community. And they're blaming him for hate crime violence ... newsflas.. it's already against the law to rob or shoot somebody. That doesnt stop people from doing it. Now if the police cant find the shooter, are insensitive to LGBt concerns or don't prioritize LGBT crime, that is one thing. But you can't blame the police for certain crimes happening.

[Wolff]

Rod and thanks for pointing out killing was not a hatecrime. I hate to be THAT ONE to say this, but if gay men continually invite strangers and anonymous men into their homes, you can't blame po-po if something happens. Should the police be at the bar and warn people against hooking up?

[Mystic Stranger]

I like Fenty ... I think he's doing a good job.

[Black Pegasus]

I don't live in DC, but I have a slight crush on this Man, and I don't know why.

I've certainly had men more attractive than he, but there's something about him that speaks to me.A Vibe if you will.

I wonder if he's....................?

Naw, couldn't be..

[Bob Summersgill]

On the racism charge, note that only African American men are running for Mayor; and only African Americans have ever held that seat. The majority of white voters in DC say they think DC should have an African American Mayor.

Adrian Fenty has strong support among white voters. His primary opponent, current Council Chair Vincent Gray, has strong support among African American voters.

Fenty and Gray have largely split GLBT supporters, but there is no obvious racial divide on the mayoral picks in the community.

Both Fenty and Gray have overall good records on GLBT rights, but neither one is a standout in DC's very pro-gay political environment.

I think a lot of the support for either man is based mostly on personal feelings and relationships, not on GLBT issues or race.

I remain undecided.

-Bob Summersgill

[WARD 4 DC]

Most people commenting dont seem to understand what is going on here in DC. The Mayor got rid of MPD's (police)Gay and Lesbian Liason Unit that help serve the gay community. Also, the crimes people are talking about are the crimes where gays/trans have been targeted b/c they are gay/trans. This is the issue. Not generally shooting at random people or robbing random people. It is the beat down of gays usually around Logan Circle or Adams Morgan...
We are lucky in DC to have two candidates that are pro GLBT. The issues for many residents in DC is the mayor is corrupt and all his friend are profiting from his PUBLIC SERVICE. Not talking small change we are talking over 100 million dollars. THere is a current investigation into the mayor and his "contacts." Giving a friend an engineering license w/out passing the exam. all previous licensing boards denied...fenty elected he gets a license and a multi-million dollar contract. He has lost my vote