June 15, 2007
B-BOY
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Newly elected Kellner, looking like a leader |
When it comes to politics, the B in LGBT often goes unnoticed, but last week the B got some respect (well, sort of). Micah Kellner, an openly bisexual candidate, won a New York State Assembly special election in the 65 th Assembly District, which includes the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island. Kellner, a former aide to Comptroller William Thompson Jr. and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, was fodder for the New York Post ("Bisexual Pol Wins" the paper trumpeted), but we wanted to get the story behind the headline and find out what he had to say on issues critical to people living with HIV/AIDS. "Micah has lived with cerebral palsy his entire life," says John Wade, Kellner's openly HIV-positive campaign manager. "Maybe that's why, when it comes to HIV/AIDS issues, he gets it. He gets it instinctively."
AIDS Issues Update: How did your bisexuality even become an issue in the campaign?
Kellner: It came up because I'm member of the Stonewall Democratic club. I marched in the Pride parade, and had Stonewall's endorsement. People picked up on it and it was an interesting issue. It didn't bother me. I don't think it affected anyone's vote.
Do you have a partner?
Yes, I have a girlfriend. She's a lawyer.
People don't always believe in bisexuality. Has anyone ever suggested you're bisexual for political gain in liberal New York?
One blog referred to me as a candidate 'who claims to be bisexual'! I thought that was funny. When I started to campaign, there were a lot of questions about whether this should be a big issue, should I state it openly, or keep to myself. But I've always been honest, so I'm not stopping now. I think I would have had the support of the LGBT community either way. What matters to my constituency are the issues. If I had a nickel for every person who came up asking me about rent control and rent stabilization...
Have you done tenant's rights work?
I worked on housing policy for Congresswoman Maloney. We have lot of Mitchell-Lama buildings, and we have to make sure there are no illegal rent hikes for tenants and that landlords are taking care of their tenants. We had a lot of people who had to leave Mitchell-Lama buildings and we tried to make sure they were placed in proper alternatives, and weren't harassed.
Your campaign manager John Wade thinks you understand the needs of the HIV/AIDS community because of your lifelong experience with cerebral palsy. Would you agree?
It's funny because I've always thought of myself as a disability activist first and foremost, but the bisexuality issue pushed that to the back burner! I do think having cerebral palsy made me aware of what it's like to when you have difficulties with your own body. I have a limp and I have impaired motor skills in my right hand.
What kind of disability advocacy have you done?
Right now I'm fighting to make the subway stop at 86th Street accessible for disabled people—there's not a single accessible stop between 59th and 115th. I'm a member the 504 Democratic Club and the Disabled Riders' coalition. Accessible taxicabs are another big problem.
Let's talk about some ongoing HIV/AIDS issues. Are you aware of proposed statewide legislation to cap rent payments for low-income people with HIV at 30 percent?
I am and I support it. Protecting housing for low-income people is incredibly important, especially if you're living with HIV. We're becoming a city of vastly wealthy but what's so great about New York is that it's a tapestry of people.
What about the HASA for ALL campaign, which seeks to expand full housing benefits to low-income people with HIV who are asymptomatic?
I support it. Just because you're asymptomatic doesn't mean you won't eventually become sick, and it doesn't make any sense to wait to treat AIDS until its full-blown. It's important to keep people healthy.
Are you familiar with Nettie Mayersohn's proposal to forcibly test rape suspects for HIV (see CLOSER TO THE EDGE above, in this issue of the Update)?
I've heard about that bill several times and I think it's a complete invasion of personal rights. I would never vote for it. I've met Nettie briefly—I don't think she's a bad person but this is a bad idea.
Have you followed the battles over eliminating written consent for HIV tests?
I have, and I think [Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden] is completely wrong. We need to better educate people and give them incentives to get HIV tests. Doing testing behind someone's back is an infringement on their rights. I understand his point of view but think he's completely wrong.
You seem pretty well informed. What's your main source of information on HIV/AIDS issues?
Well, my connection to John is important, and I have friends who are better informed than I am who I talk to. But I try to keep up. HIV/AIDS is obviously hugely important to the LGBT community.
You'll be able to learn more about Kellner at assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=065 when the brand-new Assemblyman has had a chance to post more information about himself.