Community activist and Wilton Manors resident Michael Rajner is causing quite the controversy with his latest political campaign. While “Gidget for Wilton Manors Mayor 2014” may sound like a traditional campaign, the catch is that Gidget is actually a dog. Rajner’s dog to be precise. The announcement of Gidget’s campaign is described by Rajner as “a way to voice frustration with humor,” sending “a bold message that we can do better as a community.” The political gag is making waves, but Rajner is running it on his own accord, and as such, is unrelated to any of the organizations or groups that he works with. I sat down with Rajner to talk about the controversial campaign, Mayor Resnick, and the talk of the town, Gidget.
Grant James: Tell us about the catalyst for your dog’s “campaign” for mayor. What exactly was your “last straw” moment with Mayor Gary Resnick?
Michael Rajner: There is no doubt that the role of mayor in any city is demanding and requires a tremendous commitment. But quite frankly, I am fed up with Mayor Gary Resnick’s need to be spotlighted as the gay mayor and yet provide little, if any, leadership in the advancement of pro-equality measures for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Resnick may very well excel in other areas, but this certainly is not one. Just because you are an openly gay elected official, doesn’t inherently make you a pro-equality champion. Aside from the presentation of some non-binding proclamations demonstrating good and welfare, I don’t recall any notable initiatives during his long tenure in elected office. It truly is pathetic for him to have served in office for such a lengthy time and have so little to show in terms of success in the advancement of pro-equality public policy initiatives when more mainstream communities unanimously adopt pro-equality initiatives.
Gidget, my nine pound Morkie, declared her candidacy for mayor after several people on and offline encouraged me to run for office. ‘Gidget for Wilton Manors Mayor 2014’ was a way to voice my frustration with humor and send a bold message that we can do better as a community and we have a right to demand authentic leadership. She is full of chutzpah and well known along Wilton Drive.
I know you weren’t exactly thrilled with his open letter to the Sun-Sentinel stating benefits for employees with domestic benefits…
Mayor Resnick did provide a wonderful description of the city’s adopted tax equity reimbursement policy; however, the opinion piece was not surprisingly more about Resnick than the adopted policy. In a hidden short sentence, he did credit Vice Mayor Julie Carson for bringing the initiative forward. To be frank, I found it sad for Resnick to co-opt the success of the tax equity reimbursement policy that he didn’t champion.
Resnick’s letter left the reader thinking Resnick was a champion behind enactment of the policy when in fact he attempted to water down or suggest the policy was not needed. If Resnick wants to be credited and thanked, he needs to put some real skin into the game and begin to step up and provide meaning leadership on issues affecting all Wilton Manors residents, a city that is the nation’s second largest growing gay Mecca and home to a significantly large number of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Do you feel that Vice Mayor Julie Carson is doing a lot of the work for the local LGBT community?
I am extremely proud of Vice Mayor Julie Carson’s leadership and the amazing support from Commissioner Tom Green and Scott Newton. Last year, I invited Vice Mayor Julie Carson to participate in an LGBT-public policy round table I helped organize with Equality Florida. Carson loved the concept and opportunity for a round table discussion to become more informed of initiatives sought at the local level of government. The policy initiatives she has sponsored this year, have stemmed from that round table meeting. Carson continues to think outside the box to champion the concerns and issues that are brought to her attention.
Although Gidget is adorable, we’ve got to know — have you received any heat for this whole “campaign?”
While I now have a dog in this race for Wilton Manors Mayor, the feedback has been incredibly positive. People are asking when lawn signs and bumper stickers are going to be available. One person did voice concern that this is going to divide the Wilton Manors LGBT community, but I see it differently. Just because Resnick is an openly-gay elected official, he doesn’t get a free pass from criticism. In fact, Resnick should have a greater duty and responsibility to lead on the issue of economic and social justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. I am not treating Resnick any different than any other elected official I have challenged for poor leadership on issues that uniquely affect our daily lives.
Why Gidget and not you?
Why not Gidget? Aside from her passion to hunt lizards in the yard and along walkways, she is approachable and stands for all the good that is possible in our quaint and diverse Island City. I haven’t completely ruled out running for public office one day, but right now I’m focused on working with my physician to improve on personal health outcomes.
Speaking of you, you’re a busy, busy man. What are you working on at the moment? What about in the near future? I know you work with the schools a lot, which just resumed this week.
As you stated, schools are back in session and I will be continuing to ensure our schools are inclusive and safe learning environments for all youth. At the moment I’m working on several legislative matters relating to the protections and rights of LGBT-people, and people living with HIV/AIDS, on both a local and national level.
Any closing remarks or questions for Resnick?
At Florida Atlantic University’s School of Social Work, I learned that when working to advance measures, it was important to set up elected officials with a “hero moment.” I would be one of the first people to thank Resnick. However, I think he’s the founder and president of his own fan club. If Resnick wants to be considered a champion for our community, he needs to work at it and begin to step forward with authentic leadership. Resnick has certainly climbed the ladder with the Florida and Broward League of Cities. In that climb, he has left LGBT-Floridians behind, without turning back to lend a hand to lift the very community he identifies [with]. According to The Human Rights Campaign’s 2012 Municipal Equality Index, Wilton Manors scored 62%, whereas West Hollywood, CA, our sister city, is scored at 98%. The Greater Fort Lauderdale area is reported to have an estimated 1.2 million LGBT-tourists spending approximately $1.4 billion. This alone should be justification why Wilton Manors should be a leader and not a follower in bringing forward measures that level the playing field for all people. Again, I thank Vice Mayor Carson and her colleagues for supporting pro-equality measures.
Update: Mayor Resnick has responded with the following statement:
“Michael is a terrific gay activist and was instrumental in leading the fight against the ban on gay marriage being placed in the FL Constitution. Hopefully he will continue to work areas of the state to repeal this ban. The Broward League of Cities is tremendously supportive of the GLBT community. Two openly gay elected officials have served as President including John Fiore back in the early 2000’s and myself in 2009. And now, at least four openly gay elected officials serve on its Board from Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Ft Lauderdale and Margate, and it does offer domestic partner benefits to employees requesting such benefits. The League has a tremendous record of supporting GLBT elected officials from all cities throughout Broward.”
