Tammy Lee Reaches Out to GLBT Voters

"Leadership is about more than just casting the right vote. It’s about having courage to give voice to the cause," says 5th Congressional district Independence Party candidate Tammy Lee over coffee at her office Friday afternoon. The campaign invited me to do an interview with Lee last week which focused on GLBT issues, on the progressive movement, and on being a single mom.

Lee has attracted support from Lavender magazine, Minnesota's GLBT magazine. The most recent issue featured a column from Lavender's political columnist, Brenden O'Donnell that praised Lee as the best fit for the 5th. Lee has also spent a considerable amount of money on advertising in Lavender who's ad rates are not cheap.

Before running for Congress, Lee was a member of the White House and Capitol Hill press corps, a successful businesswoman, press secretary to Sen. Byron Dorgan, and a host on Air America Minnesota.

Andy: How do you see GLBT issues fitting into the progressive movement?

Tammy Lee: The GLBT community is a political powerhouse in the progressive community. So, how the GLBT community decides in this election could absolutely tip it. I've been doing a lot of outreach to the GLBT community because they are incredibly important to the progressive cause and they have a very loud bullhorn. People in the GLBT community not only spread the word, but they get out and get active and they contribute. So it’s not just a cause. It’s a passion. It’s a whole lifestyle. It’s everything about their political being and that’s why reaching out and supporting the GLBT community is so critical for my campaign. It’s critically important for my campaign.

The GLBT voice is one of the loudest and clearest in the progressive community. It’s kind of the social conscience of the progressive movement. It’s a compass for where the progressive movement is going and the more vocal I can be in support of equality and human rights for all people, particularly those in the GLBT community, the more effective I’ll be as a progressive legislator.

What would you fight for in Washington, DC?

Lee: I’ll be a strong and loud force against the Defense of Marriage Act. I wouldn’t just vote the right way, I would actually get out and rally others around to the right side of this issue, which is to say “no” to enshrining in our constitution a bill that’s discriminatory and hateful. I would not only just vote the right way, I would actually be a strong advocate for the cause. I also support civil unions and I also would champion that.

I’m happy to meet with members of the GLBT community so I know what more specifically we can do at a federal level. But I think state-by-state will go first before this becomes a federal movement, and Minnesota is a progressive state. I see it happening here at the state level, but there are things we can do at the federal level like adoption policies, adoption equality. I think every person should have the right to be a parent. I’m a mom and its one of the most special precious gifts I’ve ever been given. And I can’t imagine not allowing every person who wants that opportunity to have it. So as a mom I would feel so strongly about adoption rights for GLBT couples because it’s been, absolutely been the best thing in my entire life.

All this stuff is tied to the legally of marriage or civil unions. But GLBT couples of course should be able to inherit property, retirement funds, all the things that go with that. And I think it’s a terrible thing, a terrible tragedy that some hospitals won't let the GLBT partner be at the bedside with their spouse, their husband or wife, who is a GLBT person, that they don’t allow them to be there in the hospital. These are basic fundamental human rights that every person, regardless of race creed or sex orientation, should be given.

You're a single mom. How has that influenced the way you see other 'non-traditional' families?

Lee: It’s because I felt so strongly about being a mom that I was willing to do it as a single mother. Lissa has a very supportive father so I'm in a very fortunate position where we're good friends. I guess I’ve taken an approach that other couples might consider doing, but you need a whole support network when you decide to do that. I’m not in the gay community, but I assume that’s the same kind of support network you need when you are coming out. Anytime you choose to do something that’s outside society's norms people look twice at you. I understand the double take that people might take, but there was nothing that was a stronger desire to me tan becoming a mom. That’s why I would be such a strong advocate for other couples to be able to have children as well.

What else would you like to tell the GLBT community about yourself?

Lee: When I lived in Washington, DC, when I worked on Capitol Hill, I worked for US Senator Byron Dorgan and before that I worked in the capitol press corps. But my neighbors then ... I lived in a house with two gay men. When I went to interview for the apartment, I learned that they were both from Minnesota which was an odd connection in Washington, DC.

Bob and Doug are like family to me. They are like two of the closest people on the planet to me. So, it’s not just that I talk about things as a public policy issue. It’s a personal issue because I love these guys like I love my own family. We lived together in Washington when they come back that I always see them here and I visit them out there. They were joking and said "You know when you get elected, you should move back into the house here with us!" Who knows? I might be living back there with them again.

It’s not just something I’ve come understand through a congressional campaign. It’s something I’ve been living in my personal life and supporting for years.

How would you describe your politics as an Independence Party candidate?

Lee: I think I represent the new face of the Independence Party: it’s fiscally responsible, Socially progressive. We tend to be very progressive on social issues, but more moderate on spending and how we get at solving the challenges of government. I say that the Independence Party is about governing from the sensible center. It’s a collation building party. Because the Independence Party didn’t just spring up from nothing. It’s been an evolution of moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans who were fed up with what their parties were doing, getting way to extreme on issues. And it s a place for people to come in the sensible center. It’s a much more moderate approach to politics.

I said that when I’m in Washington, I'll caucus with the Democrats. I'll be a strong advocate standing side by side with progressive Democrats on GLBT and other progressive issues, but I’m much more a fiscal moderate, so the spending approach is a little different. Its keeping the commitment that we have made and using our resources more wisely, cutting out waste and bureaucracy. I’ve been a business person for the past 7 years and have my MBA . I think that also frames where I am. And I will vote with the Democrats the lion's share of the time, but on small business issues and economic development issues, I may cross over and side with moderate Republicans occasionally. But on social issues you’ll probably see me lockstep with the Democrats.

The DFL talks a good game, but where are they when it comes time for action? That’s the difference between Tammy Lee as an independent, and the DFL. I mean they talk a good game but where are they on the leadership of this, and I say this to all GLBT people: Leadership is about more than just casting the right vote. It’s about having courage to give voice to the cause. And that where I will be different in Washington DC. I won’t just vote the right way. I will stand up and shout and champion the cause.

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Tammy Lee, as well as Keith Ellison, have shown great support for the GLBT community in this election. Next, I'll have an interview with openly gay Green Party candidate Jay Pond, and have extended the offer to interview Republican candidate Alan Fine. Also, keep reading for the 5th District GLBT candidate questionnaire.