Tam’s opponent is leader of Hawaii Proud Boys, a neo-nazi hate group
Washington, DC – Last night, LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed candidate Adrian Tam defeated a white supremacist and anti-LGBTQ opponent in his Hawaii state House race and will become the only openly LGBTQ elected official serving in the Hawaii state legislature. Tam was running against Nicholas Ochs, leader of the Hawaii Proud Boys, a neo-Nazi hate group promoted by Donald Trump during the first presidential debate. Hawaii was one of 10 states to have zero LGBTQ people serving in the state legislature.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, released the following statement about Tam’s victory:
“Hawaiians overwhelmingly rejected the politics of hate and finally restored LGBTQ representation to its state legislature. Adrian’s victory is part of a rainbow wave of LGBTQ people of color who won state legislative seats on Election Night and are paving the way for a more diverse and representative government. When there are no LGBTQ elected officials in an entire state, it has consequences, both in policy and how young LGBTQ people view themselves. Adrian will ensure LGBTQ people are considered and prioritized in the state capitol and will inspire more LGBTQ people to run and serve.”
Currently just 42 openly LGBTQ state legislators of color are serving nationwide, including two state legislators who are LGBTQ Asian American and Pacific Islander.
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LGBTQ Victory Fund
LGBTQ Victory Fund works to change the face and voice of America’s politics and achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government.
