Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Paperboy Prince for US Congress NY-07

Candidate Name: Paperboy Prince

Office Seeking Election for: US Congress, Congressional District 07 (Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan)

Campaign Address: 852 Monroe St Brooklyn, NY

Campaign Website: PaperboyPrince.com

Campaign Telephone: 727 379 2327

Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter):
@PaperboyPrinceOfficial (Facebook) @paperboyPrince (twitter) @paperboytheprince
(Instagram)

Campaign Contact (name/phone/email): Doug Goldwater 914 819 2906 paperboytheprince@gmail.com

Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I feel that I understand and love the people of this district. I have spent my time on the ground with the people here, in the streets talking to those who are forgotten by traditional politicians, online encouraging my neighbors to take their grievances to their elected officials, and being a daily example of light and leadership in the community.

Martin Luther King Jr said “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”

Our current representation has been focused on staying in power and putting traditional economic gains of corporations over the love and passion for the people. I think power is important, but without love at the forefront we are doing a disservice to this district that will have to be undone by generations to come. I’m the only candidate to stand on a platform of love and have a track record to back that up. Im energized and so is my base, we are excited to bring new fresh ideas and ideology to this district instead of the same old song that has been here and hasn’t gotten us far at all.

In the next 10 years technology and automation will redefine our workforce and every fabric of our economy and community. We need elected officials that not only understand how to use and regulate this tech but also have the vision to create innovative solutions to the problems of the future. As a web developer and digital strategist I can help insure that we are able to best take advantage of the new technology and make sure that it serves the people and not the corporations and big banks.

Do you now support or have you ever supported openly LGBTQ candidates for public office?
Yes I do, I support myself. As well as Johnathan Herzog running for Congress in NY-10

If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly).
N/A This is the first time im running for office.

What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
In college, University of Maryland: College Park I was a part of our schools’ Gay/Straight alliance as well as an org called “Community Roots” which actively educated students on lgbtqia issues and was proactive in activism on campus and across the community based on what we learned. This was crucial to my development in queer activism and queer studies.

In New York I’ve had the opportunity to use my artistry to host and perform at several LGBT events making me an influencer in this community. BUFU, Brooklyn Wildlife, House of Yes and countless others are spaces where queerness is celebrated and welcomed and I have been active in performing and promoting LGBT issues with these organizations.

I have also hosted/organized monthly events at new queer landmarks in the district over the past 3 years “Trap Musical” was a musical i wrote that infused hiphop culture with queer performance art and had gangster rappers from BedStuy performing with Drag Queens from Clinton Hill.

This type of collaboration helped us to come together as a community and push the boundaries of representation and education through the arts.

If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
My funds have been limited mainly to paying bills for most of my adult life, but i have been able to donate to my friends and their causes when possible.

Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?
Yes! And I say that with pride! (no pun intended)

Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes I have marched in DC Pride, Atlanta Pride, Brooklyn Pride, and New York CIty Pride. New York CIty pride is my favorite. I’ve marched in that for 4 years. Brooklyn Pride twice. DC pride twice. Atlanta Pride once…..
I have videos online of my performances at most pride marches, but to show you the effect our energy has on NYC pride here’s my video from last year’s NYC pride (Worldpride)
(Wizards Girl) NYC pride Live performance celebration - Paperboy Prince
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw8qdZ3vdao

Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes! I have collaborated with LGBT folks for work as well as worked for several LGBT
folks.

If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements? Yes! Proudly!

What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
Just a few weeks ago I went to the rally for the LOCAL 3 union workers looking to end the strike they have with spectrum and trying to protect their jobs. I had a chance to meet queer women a part of this Union. I went to the Women's March in DC the day after Trump was elected and marched with the people there and performed to celebrate the bright future America’s women will have. I also went to the Trump inauguration in DC to protest his policy and his rhetoric regarding marginalized people in this country.
I crafted a unique, educational and fun protest performance standing in the face of those that were happy to see evil taking over our country and standing with those determined to fight for love and what's right.

I was a leader in the “HWNDU” movement or “He WIll Not DIvide US” which was heralded by news outlets as the first impactful anti Trump art and protest of the Trump years. For about 2 weeks straight I protested outside everyday and brought LGBT brothers and sisters with me to the protest who were often heckled and scolded but we stood strong in the face of hate and sent a message that no matter what hate will not divide us. During this protest my life was threatened and I received over 1,000 death threats, countless homophobic messages and my family’s safety was threatened but we stayed strong.

If elected or re-elected will you become a member of the “Squad?"
I support the efforts of new Congressional representatives such as AOC who have inspired many young non-politicians to not only get involved politically, but to run for Congress and other political offices. She has definitely had a big impact locally, as people who never otherwise would have run for Congress in the past realize that there is no reason that they cannot run too. I do want to stress that my district comes first, and my primary squad is my constituents. Our squad is focused on bringing love to the people.

Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
Yes, over a suspended out of state driver's license because of a lack of notification. I spent 3 hours in the precinct and was released because my record was clean. We considered this overzealous action from the NYPD often referred to as “Driving while Black”.

Will you advocate for legislation to mandate the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age of 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
Yes

Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
Yes. I have been working in prisons to help the incarcerated since I was a youth.

Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
Yes I do. These prisons are jungles and humans often have to do inhumane things just to survive. That being said I believe a psychiatrist of the people should be on the parole board to make sure said individual is capable of reentering society. But even if their mental state makes them a risk to society or themselves, they should still be able to be outside of a prison cell and environment and in a more free living situation.

Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
YES

Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
YES

Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work?
YES

If an incumbent, did you vote for HR 1865 in 2018? Will you introduce and or support legislation to amend HR 1865 so that sex between consenting adults, with monetary exchange, is legalized? This would include the use of ads and on-line contact.
N/A but if elected I would introduce such amendment.

Do you support a national law legalizing gestational surrogacy? Will you introduce such legislation?
Yes.

What proposals will you advocate for the protection of immigrants and to further New York as a Sanctuary City?
I want to provide a more innovative and humane immigration platform so that there are more paths to citizenship for newcomers to this country. I also will push amendments to make sure all immigrants are protected and deportation is used as a last resort instead of an act of fear and terrorism. I will also push to Abolish ICE and create a more people and family focused immigration regulation agency.

Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
No, religious schools are a part of the fabric of our country but the curriculum and messaging needs to be strengthened to promote inclusivity and other items.

Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
YES

Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
Never.

Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
Yes

Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff?
YES

Who did you support for office in the following races A) mayor and Public Advocate in 2014 B) President in 2016 C) Governor and Attorney General 2018?
No, I felt that my vote didn’t count and my community was being overlooked so i did not vote in the last 2. In 2014 I was living out of the country.

Describe any federal legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
Reparations for American descendants of slaves. My great grandmother spent a portion of her life enslaved and my grandparents lived through the jim crow south. The terrorism they experienced in this country must be rectified so that future generations have an opportunity for full access to the American Dream.

What legislation or other policy changes do you support in order to make college and graduate school affordable for poor, working-class, and middle-class Americans and to alleviate the crushing loan debt that many students and alumni are facing?
Free CUNY / SUNY
Strengthening for Vocational Schools.
Cancellation of all student debt
Web Development Training

Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes Medicare for all or “Paperboy Care” is at the top of our Agenda. I believe that every American deserves access to healthcare and that its a human right. For too long insurance companies and pharmaceutical corporations have been focused on raising profits instead of raising the health of our nation. We live in a land where its more beneficial to get patents for medicine instead of spreading the cures to the people. We don't have a healthcare system, we have a “sickcare” system, where we wait till ppl are extremely ill and sick to treat them instead of focusing on holistic and preventative care to ensure health throughout old age. These principles will be implemented once im elected and the people will come first.

Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I believe in a woman's right to choose and free/untaxed access to contraceptives.

Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate?
YES. They have helped to spur gentrification, they have helped to raise the rent on everyone to astronomical prices based on speculation and they have been responsible for the displacement of some of the oldest black and latino communities in the nation. They are also a cause of the rising homelessness in NYC.

Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? YES

What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?
I love you. I can’t wait to speak with you all. This is really a dream come true. I was bullied all my life for being queer, I was almost killed in college for being queer. A man in a comcast truck chased me down the street and tried to run me over on the sidewalk because of how I looked and dressed while he was screaming homophobic slurs at me. I have endured so much growing up in the inner city and seeing how queerness is perceived.

I feel i am the best person for the job to bridge the gap between those who are ignorant on issues of importance to LGBT individuals and those who have been fighting the fight for LGBT rights for their entire life. Our country is more divided than ever, we need elected officials that can fight for what's right and bring our country together, not further divide us just to insure their own reelection.

As a young African American Non binary individual with heavy latino roots, I feel that we have never had our voices heard in a real authentic way in politics. Everyone is speaking for us, no one is listening to us. Everyone claims they know what's best for us but none of them have walked in our shoes. They don't understand our troubles, our fears, the problems that haven’t been addressed. We are more disenfranchised than ever and we need a candidate that’s going to get people fired up for a revolution. We can't have another boring candidate that ensures young people and LGBT folk don't want to go to the polls, ensuring another win for the establishment. We need someone strong and with a loud voice who is thinking outside the box that will reach the unreached, that will remember the forgotten, that doesn't have to try to represent the people because they
are the people.

I feel like we have a once and a lifetime opportunity to put the first nonbinary congressional candidate in congress and to let our message shine and be an inspiration to others that want to be themsleves and stand up for love. Thank you so much for your consideration.