For use by Stonewall Democrats of Dallas

2016 State Level Candidate Questionnaire

1. Why are you seeking the endorsement from Stonewall Democrats of Dallas?
I would be proud to receive the endorsement of the largest Democratic Club in Dallas
County. As a candidate who considers herself a strong ally of the LGBT community, I
would be honored to carry your endorsement as proof of my commitment to Democratic
values and issues of importance to the LGBT community.
2. What are your plans to support or participate in a coordinated campaign in the general
election in Dallas County? The coordinated campaign was instrumental in turning Dallas
County blue. I look forward to participating in the DCDP coordinated campaign in 2016.
3. Will you use the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas endorsement in or on:
a) your website Yes
b) your campaign literature and mailers Yes
c) your social media assets (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) Yes
d) your campaign advertisements Yes
4. When elected, how will you recruit, retain, and create a friendly environment for LGBT and
LGBT-friendly staff? I treat everyone with respect and dignity. I will need staff that reflects
our community.
5. Would you be willing to appoint a liaison to meet with the LGBT community on a ongoing
basis? If not, why?
I would be willing to appoint a liaison to meet with the community,
but I hope I will have time to be active in the community so that I can get information
directly.
6. Will you be willing to lead or support efforts to develop a LGBT Taskforce, similar to the
structure and mission the Dallas City Council developed? Yes, I would be happy to lead
and/or support.
7. How would you lead or support state legislation and/or constitutional amendments
pertaining to:
a) LGBT Couples adopting? Of course, LGBT couples should be able to adopt. When I
was a teacher at Lakewood Montessori I had a female student who was adopted
from Russia. She had two moms. I had a male student who was the biological son of
a lesbian couple. They were both loving families. Good, stable, happy families come
in all shapes and sizes.
b) LGBT Couples providing foster care? Absolutely, I would support legislation that
would allow LGBTQ people (couples or singles) to be able to provide foster care.
c) Supporting the repeal of the sodomy law that was ruled unconstitutional by the
United States Supreme Court? Of course.

d) Supporting safe schools for LGBT students? Because many people began to realize
their sexual orientation in middle school and high school, I think it is important for
schools and teachers to be aware of and be trained in assisting students through
this sometimes trying or awkward time. Bullying should never be acceptable
behavior. Students learn better in a safe and friendly environment.
e) Supporting the repeal of the Texas Marriage/Civil Union Amendment? Thank you US
Supreme Court for having courage on this issue. Even though everyone now has the
right to marry does not mean that everyone is on board. Unlike the current HD 102
Representative, I never would have signed HB 4105. It was mean-spirited and not in
line with our district. Every City of Dallas precinct in HD 102 voted for Dallas City
Charters nondiscrimination policy that added sexual orientation and gender
identity. Linda Koop needs to find another job.
8. How would you address the recent trend of state government adding medically
unnecessary procedures to the course of treatments pertaining to women's health (e.g.
the requirement to have a witnessed sonogram prior to the legal termination of a
pregnancy)? I will fight this with all that I have. A woman should have the right to make
her own medical decisions. My daughter and I spearheaded a rally at the office of our
former State Representative, Stefani Carter to protest HB2.
9. What would you do to support and assist people with mental illness who must rely on the
public system for care in or out of incarceration? I support Lupe Valdez work that she has
done with mental and physical healthcare when people are brought into the justice
system. I think the State Legislature should resend their bipartisan mental health bill back
to Governor Abbott to be signed and if necessary override his veto.
10.
How would you lead or support efforts to provide better funding for health care and
better health care options for all Texas residents? Unfortunately, the State Legislature
balances the states budget on the back of the least fortunate. I will fight to properly fund
Womens health programs and increase funding for the disabled and mentally ill. The
state continues to try to cut back what is covered under Medicaid. I will fight hard to
protect it.
11.
Would you support an ACA Medicaid expansion in Texas? Texas needs to accept
Medicaid expansion afforded under Obamacare/ACA. We are turning away federal tax
dollars that Texans pay. The citizens of Dallas County pay for Parkland Hospital, the most
expensive form of medical care, instead of increasing the Medicaid pool.
12.
How would you lead or support the efforts to teach comprehensive sexual education
in Texas? Abstinence only education doesnt work. Babies should not be punishment for
a girl who has had unprotected sex. Sex education should be a requirement for junior high
graduation.
13.
How would you lead or support legislation to comparable to a proposed federal
Equality Act providing employment and residence non-discrimination protections for LGBT
citizens by the Texas State Legislature? Texas should lead, not follow, on equality.
14.
What specific ideas do you have and/or what current legislation would you support
to improve our state economy and address the wealth disparity in Texas? We should start
with raising the minimum wage and expanding Medicaid. We need to invest in

infrastructure. This would provide many good paying jobs. We need to restore and expand
Prekindergarten. This would allow parents to go back to work to help provide for their
families.
15.
How would you handle a situation in which you or an employee under you felt the
need to not fulfill all your lawful work duties due to deeply held religious beliefs? It
would depend on the situation. If someone needed the day off for a religious holiday say
Yom Kippur, we would certainly work around the situation. If someone refused to issue a
marriage license to a same sex couple they would be fired or relieved of their duties.
16.
How would you lead or support legislation restoring public education funding in
Texas that was dramatically cut after the 2008 recession? Improving education in the
state of Texas was one of the main reasons I decided to run. All children have the right to
an excellent education. How can we expect to produce top-notch employees for
companies if we havent educated them when they were children? How can we expect to
attract good teachers if we dont give them a decent wage? How can a teacher teach in an
overcrowded classroom? I have classroom teaching experience and know what it is like
when there are too many children in a class and quit teaching because I couldnt afford to
make the salary of a teacher.
17.
How would you lead or support legislation restoring previous funding for HIV
prevention in Texas? I have lost several friends to AIDS. It is illogical to take away funding
from HIV prevention and spend it on abstinence education. I would certainly vote to
restore funding for HIV prevention and support a clean needle exchange and STD
education.

I, Laura Irvin, am seeking an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas for the 2016
elections.

Signed Laura Irvin

Date 12/26/15