A Few Questions from TRACY ROWLETT

D Magazine, Dec 01, 2004

DALLAS CITY COUNCILMAN John Loza counts as a "double minority"-Hispanic and gay-but his career has proved that he knows how to break boundaries. For example, he managed to get a domestic partners program included in the $2 billion Dallas budget at a time when nearly every agency wanted more money. Now finishing his second term, Loza will be forced to leave the Council next year because of term limits, but he hopes to return to politics as either the mayor of Dallas or a Dallas county commissioner. I sat down with him to discuss his accomplishments, his ambitions, and the future of Dallas.

ROWLETT: So many articles I've read refer to you as "openly gay City Councilman John Loza." Is it frustrating to be identified that way?

LOZA: No. Not at all. We, as gay people, are deeply involved in many things, and gay leaders are not just concerned about a gay agenda. We support issues that are important to the entire community. My being gay really hasn't been an issue, certainly not for my constituents. I suppose, from a political standpoint, it does have some effect because we are in Texas, and an openly gay politician in Texas is still a rarity. But I think that is going to change with time as well.

ROWLETT: is Dallas a city In conflict? Whites, blacks, browns, all with an agenda?

LOZA: Well, Dallas has this history of ignoring the fact that there is racism in this city. We have to acknowledge that it is a problem, and we have to have a heck of a lot of dialogue about it.

ROWLETT: As you prepare to leave the City Council, what kind of shape do you think Dallas is in?

LOZA: The four of us who entered the Council in 1997 are leaving the city overall-and the Council in particular-in much better shape than we found it. When I took office, there was a lot of infighting, there were a lot of big egos at City Hall, and there was not a very cordial atmosphere. I think we've been able to change that, and that's one of the things of which I am most proud. I think I've had quite a lot to do with that.

ROWLETT: The recent report "Dallas at the Tipping Point" speaks to a crisis in leadership at City Hall.

LOZA: Oh, I think we have good leadership. The question is not so much whether we have the right people, but do we have the right structure? I'm in favor of a strongmayor form of government. I have a Teal problem with the fact that the CEO here in Dallas [the city manager] is not elected and is not accountable to the voters.

ROWLETT: What are some of the other issues that need airing?

LOZA: To attract jobs, we have to first improve our schools. We have a real problem with public education in Dallas, and our school system must improve before we can expect major industry to relocate here. I can't tell you how many people have told me they have to leave Dallas when their kids get old enough to go to school. They simply don't want their kids to go to Dallas public schools.

ROWLETT: Mayor Laura Miller told me in a recent Interview for this magazine that she Is not Interested In running for a higher office and wants to serve another term as mayor. Do you doubt her sincerity?

LOZA: No. I will take her at face value on that. But I do think it would be natural for some one of her talents and abilities to aspire to a higher office. I would like to be mayor someday, but I am 41 right now, so there is plenty of time.

ROWLETT: But you won't run against her?

LOZA: I would be inclined not to. No. But if she runs for reelection, I think she wilt be vigorously challenged. I just don't think that's something I'd want to get into.

ROWLETT: Are you also interested in running for county commissioner?

LOZA: Yes. That is a position that impacts a lot of areas that I feel very strongly about, such as health care, Parkland Hospital, HIV funding, criminal justice, and social services. So that is a position I'm strongly considering.

ROWLETT. It will be at least a couple of years before you can run again. What will you be doing In the meantime?

LOZA: I'll practice law. I plan to do more volunteering. But Dallas is my home, and this is where I will stay.