Below you’ll find answers from Sho Dozono, formidable challenger to Portland’s mayoral race. Dozono believes in community dialogue and has deep roots in the business and sexual minority communities.

1. What issues are you passionately committed to as a candidate?
I am passionate about civil and equal rights for all citizens. Being of Japanese/American background, I know how fragile our rights as citizen can be. Loosing the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and being incarcerated in barren desert prison camps during WW II has taught our community the value and the need to fight for all of rights. Our individual freedoms are not guaranteed without all of us fighting to keep it for each of us. I have spent my entire adult life in this pursuit. I am a past president of the Japanese American Citizens League. I served on the Governor’s Taskforce on Equality. I served for 11 years on the Metropolitan Human Relations Commission. Yes I am passionate about this important issue.
 
2. How have you demonstrated your commitment to the sexual minorities community?
As early as 1979 I served on the Metropolitan Human Relations Commission (1979 - 1989), working for the fair and equal treatment of all peoples within our community. Over the ensuing 29+ year’s I’ve worked with such outstanding private and civic organizations as Basic Rights Oregon, Cascade AIDS Project, Equity Foundation, and as a member of the Governor’s 2006 Task Force on Equality—just to name a few. I’ve been a strong advocate, promoting open dialogue and raising funds to end discrimination of the LGBT community. In 1992, when the OCA put forth their scurrilous statewide ballot measure 9, I opened our offices to operate one of the largest No on 9 phone banks in the state. This ballot measure, more than any other previous action, galvanized the state and propelled me to speak out publicly and privately. As a businessperson, I recognized that the success of each employee requires a safe and inclusive workplace environment. I’ve continued to promote equality for all through donations, moral support and probably most importantly by leading by example.

3. How do you define Portland’s values?
While a majority of Portlander’s voted to defeat four anti-gay ballot measures (1992, 1994 & 2000) a huge feat in of itself, we still have a long road ahead if we are to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. I believe that the majority are fair-minded and independent thinkers who want to do the right thing. All of us want our children to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment. However not until a same-sex couple feels comfortable holding hands in a public setting will our work be done.

4. How do you intend to make Portland a more equitable place?
The citizens of Portland have great depth and compassion. My approach has always been to bring divergent people together in a safe setting and open a dialogue. It’s important to remember that we must respect each individual’s beliefs, ideals and values. While at the same time ensuring that our laws and statues provide much needed equal protection for all citizens, especially the disenfranchised.