Pam Gerber
Pam Gerber is a member of the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance, and she says she has the utmost respect for the group’s leadership.
But Gerber also supports Mike Rawlings for mayor, and she called the warning DGLA issued about Rawlings over the weekend “absurd.”
In endorsing City Councilman Ron Natinsky for mayor, DGLA issued a warning about Rawlings that said his “passion for commerce and business interests supremely overwhelms his appreciation for the civil rights of all people.”
According to DGLA, the warning is rare for the group and was based on statements Rawlings made during his candidate interview, in response to a question about contracting requirements.
“It looks like a warning on a cigarette package saying cigarettes cause death — ‘Mike Rawlings does not believe in civil rights,'” Gerber said of the warning Monday.
“It’s such an overstatement. It’s a distortion, it’s misleading and it’s underinformed,” Gerber added. “I think it makes us look immature. I think it’s over-reactive and not thoughtful. I think it undermines our credibility. It undermines DGLA’s credibility.”
Gerber, who’s also a member of the LGBT task force set up by City Councilwoman Delia Jasso, said that as Dallas’ homeless czar, Rawlings devoted his time to people who are “far less fortunate” than DGLA members who issued the warning.
“When was the last time any of them went out and served a meal over at the Bridge?” Gerber said, referring to the city’s homeless shelter. “That’s who he [Rawlings] spends his time with. You want to talk about people who don’t have civil rights. … Although I hold DGLA, their leadership and their judgment in the highest esteem, I strongly disagree with this and find it irresponsible to say such a thing, because it’s not the truth about this man. He has a profound appreciation for the civil rights of people.”
To read our full story on DGLA’s endorsements, go here.
My partner and I, in alliance with some fine folks from Ascension Episcopal Church, regularly volunteer serving meals at Austin Street Shelter. I support Ms. Gerber’s viewpoint regarding Mr. Rawlings commitment to human rights demonstrated through his service to the homeless, truly individuals without a voice. I believe this aspect of his record and his proven business acumen are impressive credentials for his mayoral candidacy.
Ms. Gerber’s sentiments are a mirror image of mine. To issue a ‘warning’ about a man who has single handedly raised awareness and millions in private dollars for the most marginalized among us–the homeless–is profoundly unjust. He has repeatedly stated unequivocally his support for GLBT rights and protections. Patti Fink has been a friend for many years and I, too, respect her. But the DGLA PAC lost its clarity of the bigger picture in its action. They acted irresponsibly in issuing such a warning. It’s a travesty, it’s juvenile and it’s wrong.
I think its more of a conspiracy. He need the money anyways, plus he cares about the South I still on Rawlings side. Whats there to hate?