Democratic Candidates for AG BY KATE OPALEWSKI a tremendous amount of inluence over issues Republican candidates so far are House relevant to LGBTQ people and their families. Speaker Tom Leonard and state Senator Tonya emocrats are ielding candidates this That’s why the MDP’s nomination for Schuitmaker. year as they seize their moment to attorney general is so important for the Nessel is recognized as one of the premier Dwin back the state of Michigan before LGBTQ community. Accepting and voting for litigators of LGBTQ issues in the state and is the next round of redistricting starts in 2020. a person who believes in anything less than full known for taking the precedent-setting case Four statewide ofices are up for election in equality for all people irrespective of sexual DeBoer v. Snyder to the Supreme Court to win 2018 - senator, governor, secretary of state orientation or gender identity is not an option. same-sex couples the right to marry in 2015. and attorney general. There is no primary election this year for She has been adversarial at times, pushing Election 2018 While several attorneys general nationwide down ballot races so the MDP will nominate the LGBTQ community to take risks in the have been proactive in the ight against anti- under state law their attorney general candidate ight for equal rights. While not everyone has LGBTQ efforts, for the last five years in during a nomination convention Aug. 25-26 agreed with her strategy or tactics along the Michigan, Republican Attorney General Bill in Lansing. The nominee – which will be pre- way, Nessel said, “No one can question my Schuette has derailed any efforts made to determined during an endorsement convention commitment to helping the community in any extend rights to LGBTQ citizens. on April 15 in Detroit – will face statewide way I possibly can.” He is prevented by term limits from voters in the Nov. 6 general election. Since announcing her run in August last seeking a third term in 2018, but whoever In the race are Democratic candidates Dana year, Nessel has been pushing back against ills this position – which has been held by Nessel, Patrick Miles and William Noakes any notion that the MDP shouldn’t have an Republicans since 2003 – will continue to have who iled to run just before press time. The all-female ticket in 2018. U.S. Sen. Debbie Attorney General Bill Schuette interfered while I was U.S. Attorney and I’ve really in the Civil Rights Commission interpreting always wanted to foster open communication Elliott-Larsen to include protections for between law enforcement and the various Patrick Miles Michigan LGBT residents. I believe that communities that it serves because if you Age: 50 interference was inappropriate. I believe don’t have a relationship you can’t have trust Occupation: Of Counsel and a member we should advocate for amending ELCRA and if you have a breakdown in trust, then of the Litigation Department at Barnes & to cover LGBT residents speciically, but bad things can happen in the community and Thornburg in Grand Rapids certainly the Commission can give its bad things can be made worse if an incident Education: Graduate of Aquinas College interpretation. arises. In terms of the Matthew Shepard and Harvard Law School hate crimes law, frankly is very limited in Experience: Appointed as the first African jurisdictions with the federal government. American to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in What would you say to those who don’t share We investigated several hate crimes, but there 2012 during the Obama administration, that same opinion in light of the current was really more authority at the local level serving as the chief federal law enforcement administration? for the county prosecutors and for the state officer covering 49 counties. I would say that we have a Constitution and to bring cases then at the federal level. There Personal note: Miles is a lifelong, fifth the Constitution gives people protection for were instances that if we felt the county did generation Michigander who grew up in all and we have to follow the Constitution not do something, we would ind a way to a family that believes in hard work and and follow what the law says. And when you take action. The job of the U.S. Attorney just service to others. selectively deny those rights to groups then like the job of Attorney General – the number Noteworthy: As U.S. Attorney for the we’re not following our American heritage. one mission – is to protect the public and we Western District of Michigan, Miles Tell me how you are going to play a major role have to protect everyone and ensure justice prosecuted the first-ever child sex in helping the LGBTQ community achieve full for all. trafficking case in the district and went on equality? Discuss a time personally or professionally to prosecute 11 other defendants for sex when you’ve assisted the LGBTQ community? The attorney general position is a very trafficking minors. Have you ever prosecuted a person for a hate Do you believe that the government and private powerful position. It’s the second most Priorities: Fighting government corruption, crime against the LGBTQ community? businesses can deny goods and services to protecting the vulnerable (children, seniors powerful in the state, after the governor. LGBTQ people, same-sex couples and their One instance where as U.S. Attorney I and veterans), combating the opioid crisis, You have the ability to speak out as well families? helped convene a meeting between law safeguarding consumers and improving as the ability to question laws that are not enforcement in Grand Rapids and the LGBT No, of course not. Once you’ve entered police and community relations. constitutional, and not in the public interest, community to talk about the treatment of commerce, to discriminate is wrong. That’s Some endorsements: Michigan Regional and challenge those laws, both laws coming LGBT residents by law enforcement and that to me an absurd example of an ideology Council of Carpenters and Millwrights; out of Lansing, and out of Washington D.C. was a very candid discussion. It was a very that’s run afoul. Where again, it’s contrary former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District We’ve seen in many instances things coming productive discussion as I think both sides to our U.S. Constitution where we have of Michigan Barbara McQuade; U.S. Senator out of the Trump Administration or things needed to hear the concerns of the other, but equal protection laws for a reason in the Carl Levin that were done by Attorney General Schuette that were contrary to equality for all people, it’s particularly law enforcement that needed Constitution and especially with someone especially our LGBT community. We saw an to hear how the LGBT community felt that that’s entered commerce and is in business Follow Pat Miles’ campaign online at interference with the civil rights commission it was being harassed and mistreated and and to be able to discriminate is just wrong. coming out of Washington, affecting the not fully served by law enforcement so that I, as an African American have been on the LGBT community as well as where the was a very important discussion that we had See AG: Patrick Miles, page 10 4 BTL | January 11, 2018 www.PrideSource.com Speak Out on LGBTQ Issues Learn More About Michigan Stabenow is up for re-election and Democrats record. Prior to his confirmation as U.S. the needs of the LGBTQ community. They Gretchen Whitmer and Jocelyn Benson are Attorney by the Senate, he served more than were asked to make their best arguments about State Conventions both front runners in their races for governor two dozen charitable and professional boards where they stand on particular issues such as Inside the Michigan Democratic Party, state and secretary of state, respectively. and committees, some of which champion anti- ighting against hate crimes, adoption, religion, conventions are a yearly occurrence that offer members Nessel sent a bold message via YouTube LGBTQ causes. One might question how his anti-bullying, and decriminalizing HIV. an opportunity to collectively make decisions on recently to elect more women. Her campaign past – intertwined with homophobic religious It is the attorney general’s job to protect and the future of the MDP. The nomination convention ad to vote for candidates “without a penis,” afiliations – has informed where he is today. serve the people and interests of Michigan will take place Aug. 25-26 in Lansing. To allow she said is meant to address the barrage of While many politicians “evolve” for the sake through a broad range of duties as the state’s candidates more time to campaign, the MDP has sexual harassment allegations making headline of political expediency, Miles said he “has top lawyer and law enforcement official. added an endorsement convention on April 15 at news. It has garnered national attention and has a heart for these issues” and “have been on While overseeing more than 500 lawyers, 9 a.m. at Cobo Center in Detroit. The nominee will received mixed reviews. the wrong end of discrimination myself so I investigators, and other employees, the attorney be pre-determined at this endorsement convention. While state conventions are open to all Democrats, Miles, the former U.S. Attorney for the deinitely empathize with what’s happening.” general’s responsibilities include safeguarding only those who have been members for at least 30 Western District of Michigan, is known for the public from violent criminals, helping If elected, Nessel would be the irst lesbian days prior to the convention may vote or run for party combating gang violence, child exploitation, and the second woman (Jennifer Granholm victims of crime, leading the ight against office.