Lt. Col. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraqi war veteran and Democratic congressional candidate for the newly formed 8th District in Chicago's Northwest suburbs, was the featured guest at a fundraiser in her honor Nov. 29 at Sidetrack, a gay bar in Boystown.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King and attorney Rick Ingram co-chaired the event, which drew about 50 attendees.
Although King was unable to attend the event due to travel-related issues, she issued this statement: "Tammy Duckworth has never rested on her accomplishments, she has expected more from herself and, more importantly, is committed to doing more for others. She broke barriers and implemented new programs at the Department of Veterans' Affairs and she has just the type of leadership we need in Congress. Tammy Duckworth has the leadership Illinois' 8th Congressional District needs."
After introductions by Ingram and a video highlighting Duckworth's life and accomplishments, Duckworth thanked everyone for attending. Duckworth said she had no desire to run for public office until the day she was shot down in Iraq, Nov. 12, which she calls her "alive day."
"When I was bleeding to death inside my helicopter and couldn't help myself, when the American came to save my life I didn't ask him if he was straight or gay; I was just grateful that he was there," she said. "It didn't matter then and it shouldn't ever matter."
Duckworth received loud applause when she said she supports equal-marriage rights for same-sex couples: "Bottom line—my marriage [ to Major Bryan Bowlsbey, a signal officer and fellow Iraqi War veteran ] is not threatened by same-sex couples who fall in love and marry each other ... I think we need more love in the world."
Following her remarks Duckworth took questions from the audience ranging from how to talk to people about the Obama healthcare law, her philosophy on taxes, what Chicagoans need to know about the 8th District and polling data on her district.
"I think Tammy is absolutely the best," Ingram said. "She is where she needs to be on the issues regarding the LGBT community including supporting equal marriage rights, the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and was outspoken within the Obama administration for the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. She is just a true fighter and American hero."
James Darby, president of the Chicago chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights, said Duckworth "is a true American hero. Not only has she served her country with valor in Iraq, she continues to serve her country here at home on the political battlefield."
"Tammy has been a great friend to our community and has a proven track record advocating for important LGBT issues," said Jacob Meister, president of the board of The Civil Rights Agenda.
Carol Ronen, former Illinois State Senator and current 48th Ward Democratic Party chair, said Duckworth "is the perfect antidote for the cynicism that sometimes overtakes us. She has the courage and conviction that is all too rare in politics today."
Duckworth has a primary challenger, former candidate for Illinois State Comptroller Raja Krishnamoorthi. Krishnamoorthi has not stated his views on LGBT issues on his campaign website nor did he fill out Windy City Times' questionnaire when he ran for comptroller last year. He did have gay support in that race, and his campaign has reached out to Windy City Times.
If Duckworth wins the Democratic primary she will likely be running against current Rep. Joe Walsh. Walsh has made national headlines for a variety of reasons, including his Tea Party affiliation and his opposition to same-sex marriage.
See www.tammyduckworth.com .
