SURREY — Longtime GLBT advocate Martin Rooney has decided to run as an independent councillor for a seat on Surrey council in the upcoming election.
"People are saying that they want change," Rooney said.
In recent months, the Whalley resident lobbied the City of Surrey to fly the pride flag during Pride Week.
A city report was then prepared to see whether federal or provincial protocol could be bypassed. The review concluded the city would only continue to fly the federal, provincial and city flag.
"The flag uncovered a whole lot of what was going on at city hall and started to open my eyes about how city hall was being governed," Rooney told the Now Friday.
His background includes efforts to overturn a U.S. law banning those with HIV from entering the country.
He was on his way to Washington State in 2007 when he was turned back from the border for being HIV-positive. Rooney organized rallies and an online Facebook group to bring attention to the little-known discriminatory ban.
The law was lifted in 2010 following years of effort by many groups, including one started by Rooney.
He founded the Red Ribbons 4 Life initiative in 2008, a fundraising project that's donated more than $22,000 to the Surrey HIV/AIDS Food Bank and AIDS Tijuana. Rooney has been on the board of the International Court System (ICS) since 2010, and involved with the organization since the 80s. The ICS, a GLBT organization, involves dressing up to play court while raising money for charity.
“I believe I have enough experience by sitting on this international board, being involved with this international organization for 20 years, to be an effective independent voice on council.â€
If elected, Rooney would like the city to look at what the definition of diversity is on a social level.
“To be diverse, is that inclusive or exclusive? In my opinion, diversity is embracing everybody.â€
As well, he wants to change the perception of Surrey.
“Let’s get rid of the perception that Surrey is not the place to live and if you go to Surrey you need a Kevlar vest to walk down the street. You don’t.â€
Rooney believes his real-life experience would allow him to bring the voice of the people to city hall.
“I’ve lived in the city for 20 years, I don’t own property, have a disability, know what it’s like to live on a limited income, know what it’s like to need affordable housing… know what it’s like to need a food bank… know what it’s like to be homeless, I have been homeless.
“I’m not a politician, I’m just a normal human being who has opinions.â€
Rooney isn’t the first openly gay candidate to declare candidacy the 2014 municipal election in the city.
Surrey First council candidate Vera LeFranc’s bio says she and her partner Jen have lived in Surrey since 1998.
LeFranc, a Guildford resident, is with the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Society and has done other work in the non-profit sector focusing on anti-violence, employment, poverty reduction, crime prevention and more.
Surrey residents will hit the polls on Nov. 15.