Page 12 - BEQ Magazine Iss 20 Fall 2021 WebRev09272021

COURTESY PHOTO

For such a long time, the Hawaiian economy has that directly affects the LGBTQ community,” Tam
been a three-legged stool: tourism, construction, continues. “It is still harder for the community
military. What happens when you take away a leg to find housing, and I believe that it is up to us to
of that stool? It can’t hold anyone up. create more affordable housing so
We need to diversify our economy, and “My single that there are more options. Kids on
I’m fighting to create a state we can all [piece of] big- the street can be subjected to drugs,
afford to live in.” illness, human trafficking. We want to
Despite being a freshman lawmaker, gest advice is stop that.”

Tam passed two pieces of legislation in to be authentic Tam already has a team in place
his first year — a bill to fine real estate because to run for re-election in 2022, and he
investment trusts for failing to submit encourages others in the LGBTQ com-
tax forms and a bill that allows unac- authenticity munity to seek office.
companied minors to stay at no-cost resonates.” “My single biggest advice is to be
emergency shelters without parental authentic because authenticity res-
consent. “To me that was a no-brainer,” onates,” he says. “It is hard because
Tam says of the second bill. Although his family has there will be times where you want to pretend to
been supportive throughout his life, he knows that be someone you are not, but things will work out
homelessness is common for LGBTQ youth. if you stay true to yourself. This is good advice for
“Hawaii has a homelessness and housing crisis anything, not just running for office.” 

12 FALL 2021 BUSINESSEQUALITYMAGAZINE.COM