Tonya Martin, left, and her partner, Angie. Photo courtesy of Tonya Martin.
6:05pm | Editor’s note: The following is the fourth installment in a new series of interviews with emerging LGBT leaders.
Tonya Martin loves life. It is a sentiment that comes across in the way she speaks and moves, and also in her devotion to public service. She puts her positive spirit to good use as the legislative analyst for Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews. Her job is not the only avenue where she channels her energy, as she is happily partnered with three children. Her deep appreciation for the city of Long Beach is quite clear as she is able to live the American dream of raising a beautiful family and giving back to the community.
Q: How did you become involved in city government?
A: I was introduced to the fine city of Long Beach about 15 years ago through Angel Macias and volunteering. It was (Former Mayo)r Beverly O’Neill that encouraged me to continue to volunteer and that geared my attention toward public service. I volunteered for the then-Sixth District Councilwoman Laura Richardson, which led to the position that I now hold with Councilman Dee Andrews.
Working for Councilman Andrews has been a true blessing in my life. From day one, he and I started on an honest ground. The day he offered me the job, the first thing I told him was that I was a lesbian and I asked him if he was okay with me being openly gay. He replied, “I thank you for being open and honest with me. I don’t care what your preference or your color is … I just want you to be honest so that you can help me to serve the people of Long Beach.” And that is what I have been doing for the past four years.
The councilman is a wonderful person to work for. He is one of the kindest men that I have ever met, and he genuinely cares about others. I have grown so much under his leadership and that of his chief of staff, John Edmond. I love it! Public service is way more than a job for me … it’s a passion. I love to help people and to see their spirits light up.
I must say that my greatest training has come from the city of Long Beach employees. I have some wonderful mentors here and they have taught me so much.
Q: What is it like to be a happily partnered lesbian mother in Long Beach?
A: Each day is more amazing than the last. Angie, my partner, and I have what we call our “partnership priority list.” First on the list is God, second is our children. We have three great boys, Brandon, 16, Noah, 12, and Nick, 10. As gay parents, we are very supportive in educating our children about different lifestyles and cultures. The boys are very open about their gay moms and love sharing us with their friends. Most of our friends in Long Beach serve as our surrogate family. The uncles or aunts, we mix it around a little like “Uncle Betsy “Holmes” and Uncle Angel (Macias) or Aunt John.
Q: Do you find Long Beach, and the LGBT community in particular, to be supportive of LGBT families?
A: I do find the Long Beach community very supportive and I am grateful. As parents, we try to keep our children in a safe environment that is acceptable to the entire family. We love going to the beach or park together as a family and to be able to hold hands in public with Angie is a wonderful feeling. I was born and raised in Alabama. It was where I came out and it is very difficult to be accepted there. My partner Angie, is Hispanic so in Alabama we are considered a gay mixed couple which makes for an interesting trip to the ole’ South.
However, I have always been outgoing. Back in the day I was actually crowned “Miss Gay Alabama” in a Gay Pride pageant in Birmingham. I would say the truest support part that I receive is (from) mingling with other parents … gay or straight. Strong families make strong communities and I get great support from my “parent” friends. I would love to see more activities and events for the “rainbow families” in the city.
Q: What are some of the major issues facing the Sixth District?
A: The Sixth District is filled with some of the most talented people that I have ever met. There are so many gifts to be shared. I sometimes have a have a difficult time contacting people but when I do, they are right by your side to assist in any way they can. You see, there is a lot of poverty in some of the areas of the Sixth District. They may not drive fancy cars and some of them don’t even have a roof over their heads, but they are always willing to lend a hand. The same goes for the wealthier neighborhoods, like the Wrigley area. They are always willing to help their neighbors and they look out for each other. It is so wonderful to be around people like that.
The major issue we are facing is the cuts to public service. The councilman’s constituents use and depend on these services … like police, fire, library, the parks and health services. With the gang activity, the police and fire department are always in the area saving lives and keeping us safe. Every day the parks and libraries are packed full of people. And the Health Department’s Weed and Seed Program has empowered so many individuals. With the budget cuts that are to come in 2012, I know that we will be hit hard.
Q: How were you selected to become the grand marshal in this year’s Pride Parade?
A: Each year the Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride members vote on outstanding individuals that serve the community. It was committee member Michael Dixon that nominated me for my service to the community.