10 gayborhood walkers tell us what they think
On Wednesday morning, Oct. 29, folks were grabbing coffee at Buli Café, delivering packages at Nuvo and TapeLenders, walking to the bus stop near Mickey’s and applying for jobs at OutLines. We polled 11 random strangers about banging the 2008 ballot box (one guy wouldn’t let us use his picture, so we tossed his opinion).
From McCain moms who live in Highland Park to gay Air Force retirees who are voting from Obama, we got some interesting results.
KNOW YOUR PRECINCT
If you’re registered in Dallas County, good. Registration ended Oct. 6. Early voting ends Friday, Oct. 31. at 7 p.m.
General election is Tuesday, Nov. 4. To find out where your precinct is, visit Dalcoelections.org.
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Greg D. Rovithis, 34, gay, landscape designer.
Lived in Dallas: 12 years, Oak Lawn resident.
Registered voter? No. I’m a Canadian citizen, from Toronto.
Vote in 2004? "I couldn’t. But I would have voted for Kerry."
Selected a 2008 presidential candidate? "I’d like to vote for Obama."
Dallas County sheriff? "I would have liked to vote for Lupe Valdez."
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Paul A. Walker, almost 50, gay, physical therapist.
Lived in Dallas: 24 years, Oak Lawn resident.
Registered voter? Yes.
Know your precinct location? "No, but I know the general area."
Vote in 2004? Yes, for Kerry.
Selected a 2008 candidate? Obama. "I’m tired of Republicans."
Selected a Dallas County sheriff? Lupe Valdez — "even though people don’t like her."
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Sarah M. Phillips, 28, straight, newbie Dallasite, bartender-bookkeeper.
Lived in Dallas: Less than one month, Oak Lawn resident.
Registered voter? "Yes! I just paid $200 to get my vehicle transferred from Michigan to Texas so I could."
Know your precinct location? "Not exactly, I think I can vote at the library."
Vote in 2004? "No, I was lazy. I was at school and completely forgot."
Selected a 2008 candidate? "Yes, Barack! I’m hopeful that there’s a change, and Sarah [Palin] scares the shit out of me."
Selected a Dallas County sheriff? "Don’t know enough about it yet."
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William M. Wood, 72, "Got kicked out of the Air Force for being gay." Retired management consultant, and fighter pilot.
Lived in Dallas: Since 1969, Oak Lawn resident.
Registered voter? Already voted at the Oak Cliff VA hospital.
Voted in 2004? Yes, "for bumbling Kerry. And for bumbling Gore in 2000."
2008 candidate? "Obama, because Bush screwed up the Supreme Court."
Dallas County sheriff? Lupe Valdez — "I’m pissed because in every article Kevin Krause wrote for The Dallas Morning News, he lied by omission. The jails haven’t passed inspection because the fire control systems haven’t been installed, which is beyond Lupe’s control."
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Sylvia Gonzales, 44, "I’m a lesbian — a pretty one," computer programmer.
Lived in Dallas: All my life
Registered voter? Yes, and I’m voting in this election.
Do you know your precinct location? Yes, it’s in Kessler Park.
Vote in 2004? Yes – for the guy who lost.
Selected a 2008 candidate? Obama. "Why not? He talks a lot, and I like what he has to say about the economy and whatnot."
Selected a Dallas County sheriff? Lupe Valdez
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Averardo Lar, 24.
Sexual identity: "An hombre, you know a real man"
[translated from Spanish].
Profession: Cook-waiter at a restaurant
Lived in Dallas: Six years, Oak Lawn resident.
Registered voter? "No, I’m a Mexican citizen, but I’m getting my papers together."
Vote in 2004? "No — I couldn’t, man."
If you could vote, who for? Obama – "He’s younger and will stay alive longer."
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Doug D. O’Neal, 41, married hetero dad, UPS driver.
Lived in Dallas: All my life.
Current neighborhood: DeSoto.
Registered voter: Yes — already voted.
Do you know your precinct location: Nope.
Did you vote in 2004? Yes, for Bush.
Selected a 2008 presidential candidate? Voted for McCain because of the expected vacancies in the Supreme Court.
Selected a Dallas County sheriff? Lowell Cannaday.
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Derrick C. Robinson, 31, gay, chef.
Lived in Dallas: Three years. I’m from Minnea-polis.
Registered voter? Yes. Already voted.
Know your precinct location? I don’t — wherever [Oak Lawn’s precinct] is.
Vote in 2004? Yes, for the [candidate who lost].
Who did you vote for this election? Obama.
Why Obama? It’s a long list — mostly because he instills a hope that things will get better for the future.
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David W. Myrick, 40, gay, self-employed hairdresser.
Lived in Dallas: Since 1993, Oak Lawn resident.
Registered Voter? "Yep, my precinct location is the Dallas Public Library Oak Lawn branch."
Vote in 2004? Yes, for Kerry.
Selected a 2008 candidate? Obama — "It’s time to get Republicans out of office. Democrats are better for the gay population, and I think they’ll do a better job with the economy."
Selected a Dallas County sheriff? Lupe Valdez
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Ann S. Gadbois, 46, straight, mom-housewife.
Lived in Dallas: since 1980, Highland Park resident.
Registered voter? "Yes."
Know your precinct location? "I think it’s Bradfield Elementary School."
Did you vote in 2004? Yes, for George Bush.
Selected a 2008 presidential candidate? Yes, McCain. "I don’t believe in taking from the rich and giving to the poor."
Selected a Dallas County sheriff? "I don’t know yet."
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition October 31, 2008.
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