County candidates discuss GLBT issues

Candidates for county offices gathered Wednesday night for a political forum specifically centered around gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues.\nThe Bloomington Beacon and the Bloomington chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), the IU GLBT Student Support Services and IU OUT were among the groups that sponsored a forum with the candidates for Monroe County sheriff and two contested circuit court judge seats. In addition to the forum, a questionnaire previously filled out by the candidates was distributed to the audience. After candidate introductions, each answered audience questions written on cards and handed to a moderator.\nSheriff candidates Brad Swain and James Kennedy gave their perspectives on where to place transgender inmates in the Monroe County jail.\nTransgender inmates should be separated from other inmates who have been previously identified as being dangerous to such individuals, Kennedy, a Democrat, said. Swain, a Republican, suggested that transgender inmates would be placed into a smaller cell block with fewer people, but he expressed concerns about this possibility because of the overcrowding of the jail.\nKennedy explained that each inmate goes through a classification process that identifies their sex based on genitalia. \nBoth candidates said they felt inmate safety was a priority but that the currently overcrowded and understaffed jail would limit their options. The candidates also responded to a question regarding the allowance of hormones for transgender inmates. Kennedy made reference to the ruling by the federal courts and concluded that it would be allowed if it was deemed "reasonable and necessary." Swain said he would have to defer the issue to the jail's medical staff but had no objection to it.\nThe candidates for Monroe County Circuit Court V, seat three, Valeri Haughton and Francie Hill, answered questions along with the candidates for Monroe County Circuit Court VIII, seat eight, incumbent Jeffrey Chalfant and Teresa Harper. \nIn response to a question regarding whether each judge supported the right for same-sex couples and singles to adopt, all four candidates agreed they would support that right and expressed the child's best interest as their priority.\nAn audience member questioned the candidates on their opinions of judges who have been affiliated with youth groups that discriminate against gay children and adults. The question referred to a prior judge who was affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America. \nHaughton said she had a problem with any group that discriminates but that she could not criticize others' choices. Hill agreed with Haughton, by stating she was against groups that discriminate against anyone but that the Boy Scouts have good qualities as well. She concluded that she needed to be better informed on the issue. \nChalfant explained that he always researches organizations before he affiliates himself with them. He felt this was important to make sure anyone who entered his court would feel comfortable. Harper said there was a law against judges affiliating themselves with discriminatory groups and a judge must follow the law if he or she expects to be able to apply the law.