In the July 20 Leader, Jason Victor Serinus asserted that both candidates for Jefferson County sheriff dodged a question about LGBTQ+ rights at the League of Women Voters forum.

In fact, Art Frank did not dodge the question. 

Art said: “LGBTQ+ community members, or members of any community — whether it be a minority group, a religious group, no matter who it is — deserve the same response from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. To guarantee that, I’ll make sure officers are trained: bias training. We need to be aware of what other community members experience. I have to make sure we adjust our process to respond to calls equally across the board and make sure we’re sensitive and have the trust of not only the LGBTQ community but any community. It’s just good policing — doing it the right way in the best interests of everybody in Jefferson County.”

A longtime LGBTQ+ ally, Art genuinely supports our community. Art responded to Jason’s letter to the editor by immediately asking Jason to meet, so he can listen and learn how he can convey more vividly his support for local LGBTQ+ residents.

As sheriff, Art will ensure JCSO honors LGBTQ+ rights — including our right to be addressed by our preferred pronouns.

The current sheriff has failed to ensure this.

On June 25, Art attended the Sound of Pride celebration in Port Townsend. We were thrilled to engage so positively with Art, who was refreshingly eager to listen, learn, and truly hear our concerns.

Joe Nole, the current sheriff, demonstrated his lack of support for our LGBTQ+ community by not attending the event.

In this sheriff’s race, Jefferson County voters have a clear choice: We can cast a positive vote for Art Frank, a reliable, consistent LGBTQ+ ally who staunchly defends our rights. Or, we could re-elect Joe Nole, the man who wasn’t there.

Madi Burgess
PORT HADLOCK