This is a statement from IND President Kenn Lowy regarding the recent endorsement of John Heyer by the club and the issues it has raised:

Last week the Independent Neighborhood Democrats (IND) endorsed John Heyer for the 39th City Council District and this act has set many things in motion. I have known John for many years and I respect his right to have his views. However, in two crucial areas our views are diametrically opposed.

My mother, the author Bonnie Bluh, spent her entire adult life fighting for women's rights. From an early age I saw first hand how important and vital this struggle was. Her first published book followed the beginning of the women’s rights movement in Europe during the 1970s. That book "Woman to Woman" charts the remarkable struggles women had to go through to obtain basic rights in some of the most advanced countries in the world. One of those rights, a woman's right to choose, is not negotiable for me. John does not believe in a woman’s right to choose.

Today one of the major battles against discrimination involves equal rights for the gay and lesbian community. I have friends and relatives, both gay and lesbian, who are in committed relationships and some are raising children. I am deeply concerned about their rights.

Because they are not allowed to marry, same-sex couples across the country are denied a wide range of basic rights - from the ability to make decisions for a partner in a medical emergency to the ability to file joint tax returns. This discrimination also affects lesbian and gay parents who are often prevented from assuming legal parenting rights and responsibilities.

John supports Civil Unions. However Civil Unions do not guarantee the over 1,000 federal and state protections and rights that a marriage provides. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has stated that only access to civil marriage (not civil unions) provides equal protection to same-sex couples under their state constitution. Full marriage equity is what I personally support and what I will continue to fight for. John does not support marriage for same sex couples.

Over the years John has altered some of his positions and views and I admire how he has grown. I do not see this as flip-flopping, but as a sign of intelligence and I applaud him for it.

But at the same time I am committed to fighting for a more equal and just society. I am also committed to expanding the rights and freedoms of our citizens, not taking these rights away.

In the eight years I have been a member of IND, three as Chairman of the Executive Board, and for the past six months as President, I have never considered taking a leave from the club. But this is a unique situation where true leadership is called for. Under these circumstances, it would be unfair to our endorsed candidates for me to remain President. Consequently, as the Constitution of IND requires, I will take a temporary leave of absence from the club until after the primary - effective noon on Friday May 29th. There should be no question in anyone's mind that I will resume my duties in September and I will do everything I can to heal whatever rifts have developed among the membership. My hope is that IND will be a strong progressive voice for Brooklyn again soon.

Kenn Lowy
President
Independent Neighborhood Democrats

For the record I and at least one other board member of IND have already taken a leave of absence from the club.