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Solmonese era comes to an end

Parsing the good and bad in HRC’s recent record

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Joe Solmonese @ Hill press conference 2009 by Michael Key

HRC President Joe Solmonese will step down when his contract expires in March. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The Human Rights Campaign announced this week that Joe Solmonese would step down in March as president after nearly seven years at the helm of the nation’s largest LGBT advocacy organization.

Running HRC is a relatively thankless job: legislative victories can’t come fast enough to satisfy critics — and God help you if you throw a cocktail party for inside-the-Beltway “elitists.”

Solmonese will be most remembered for presiding over HRC during a period when we saw repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and passage of an expanded federal hate crimes law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. But his tenure was also marked by controversy, when in 2007, a bruising fight over the Employment Non-Discrimination Act threatened to tear HRC apart. Solmonese — and many others in the movement — agonized over the question of whether to support an ENDA that was stripped of its gender identity provision. Ultimately, HRC punted and neither supported nor opposed the bill, which died after a painfully divisive debate in Congress. The lasting impact of that episode: any version of ENDA that omits gender identity/expression is dead in the water. Four years after that bruising debate, ENDA remains a dream — perhaps permanently.

The next HRC leader should work to further repair and strengthen relations with the transgender community, which is most impacted by employment discrimination. Many grassroots activists remain deeply suspicious of HRC, though some of their criticisms are unfair. The organization has been attacked for its spending, salaries, new headquarters building and coziness with the administration. But the truth is that our opponents on the right are far better funded than the so-called LGBT movement. The vast majority of LGBT people don’t donate to HRC — or any other rights group fighting on their behalf. HRC claims 1,000,000 members under Solmonese’s tenure, but that number is ludicrous and laughably inflated. If only there were a million people paying annual dues to a national LGBT rights group.

If we are ever to pass ENDA, repeal DOMA, protect the rights of bi-national same-sex couples and convince the Republican Party to cease its attacks on us, we will need to pay competitive salaries to our lobbyists and leaders. The HRC headquarters was expensive, but a smart, long-term investment. As for being cozy with the administration, I prefer the White House gates remain open to LGBT voices. Some of us too easily forget the Bush years, when even our gay journalists were thrown out of the White House. The Obama era has delivered on the promise of change to our community and while we still need grassroots activists pushing for more progress, so too we need lobbyists on the inside.

One problem that continues to hamper our visibility is that we lack a stable of slick and confident TV-ready commentators to take on the endless voices of bigotry on the right. Sure, Solmonese made a few appearances on “Hardball” during the “Don’t Ask” debate, but the next HRC president should be more aggressive in defending our community in public forums and on TV. The void created by that reluctance leads to the LGBT community being represented by gay actors, musicians and sex advice columnists — surely we can do better.

The next HRC president should also work to combat the impression of tone deafness. At a time of national recession when so many Americans, including LGBT people who are disproportionately impacted by job discrimination, are out of work, Solmonese was profiled by Washington Life magazine, which dubbed him the “elegant activist,” who favors designers Ann Demeulemeester, Billy Reid and Dolce and Gabbana. While actual activists like Dan Choi were being arrested at the White House, Solmonese was staging cheesy photo ops nearby with Kathy Griffin for her reality TV show. Enough with the star fuckery already. HRC shouldn’t be a reality TV platform or a fashion house.

Also as we look to HRC’s future, the next president must make it a priority to forge inroads with Republicans. As we’ve seen under House Speaker John Boehner, our legislative fights cannot advance as an occasional Democratic Party pet cause. The Democrats have proven again and again the fickleness of their support, nearly squandering majorities in both houses of Congress during Obama’s first two years in office. The Republicans are worse, but we haven’t really tried to win them over. Writing off Republicans all these years has stymied the movement and delayed our progress. The GOP reads the same polls we do — its future leaders understand that anti-LGBT prejudice doesn’t resonate with younger voters and it already turns off independents. So let’s get out of the DNC’s back pocket and engage with the rest of the political universe.

In all, Solmonese was a vast improvement over his predecessor, Cheryl Jacques. HRC under his leadership is stable, more respected in Washington and has had a place at the table during Obama’s term.

His departure enables HRC to chart a new course as we head into 2012, but Solmonese righted the ship and HRC is better poised to play a serious role in the national debate today than when he took over.

Kevin Naff is editor of the Washington Blade. Reach him at [email protected].

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Opinions

DC To Host 1st National TDOV Gala on Easter Sunday

Trans USA National Pageantry and the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) will host the 1st Annual Blossom Gala at Hook Hall.

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The first International Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) celebration was held 15 years ago, with the goal of addressing the major concern that the only well-known trans-centered day was the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which mourned the murders of transgender people but did not acknowledge and celebrate living members of the transgender community. On March 31, Trans USA National Pageantry and the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) will host the 1st Annual Blossom Gala at Hook Hall, which will serve as the culminating event of their TDOV programming in Washington, DC. 

Dylan Drobish (also known as Dylan B. Dickherson White), National Director at Trans USA, offered the following: “It is our hope that Blossom will serve as a reminder not just of the battle we face every day but also of the beauty, excellence, intellect, and resilience of transgender Americans. We believe that this event is especially important given the increased backlash and violence against our community in the last few years alone, with nearly 500 anti-trans bills under consideration across 41 states as of March. However, Blossom—and TDOV itself—is a celebration held in defiance of the idea that trans lives are only worthy of headlines once they have ended.”

Preceded by an impactful, inspiring rally at the national mall (11:00 AM to 3:00 PM) featuring Angelica Ross of Pose and AHSBlossom is a fundraising initiative that blends keynote speakers, a Q&A panel discussion with national leaders in the movement for transgender equality, and the artistry of drag with CHERRY BOMB–an all-trans drag showcase headlined by trans icon, activist, and Drag Race pioneer Monica Beverly Hillz. This pivotal event will also serve as the official public launch of the TRANSform the Vote initiative, which aims to inspire transgender people and allies to make their voices heard at the ballot box.

But make no mistake. Blossom is a celebration, and the event organizers have pulled out all the stops to ensure that ticket prices remain accessible without sacrificing the magic of a true gala experience. For truly gram-worthy “pink carpet” photos, all attendees are invited to “dress to impress” with their interpretation of a timely theme that celebrates the beauty of coming into one’s own as a visible member of the trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming community.  

The event comes at a pivotal time for both the community and the organizations seeking to protect it: This summer, NCTE will officially merge with Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF) to create Advocates for Trans Equality, doubling their ability to lead the next chapter of the transgender rights movement. This November, Trans USA will welcome over 80 representatives from across the country to their national competition, which will for the first time also feature a national conference and exposition solely focused on the trans and non-binary community. While monumental, these 2024 events come with unprecedented challenges, as many major corporations and grant programs refuse to provide funding related to “controversial social or political issues”, especially in an election year. 

Despite these challenges, celebratory events like Blossom are, unsurprisingly, now more important than ever, with trans lives having been politicized to such a polarizing extent. Drobish, a former Mr. Trans USA himself offered the following: 

“‘Narrative identity’ refers to the idea that our identities are formed from the internal stories we tell about ourselves (and our interpretation of them). Organizations like Trans USA and NCTE are here to help rewrite the narrative that gets passed down to the next generation of trans and non-binary folks. My message to anyone involved with Trans USA or the movement in general has always been that you are the author of your story—the story that gives your life meaning and purpose—and you get to choose how it’s told. Are you the hero or the victim? Are you the agent or the object? Are you the one telling your story, or is someone else doing all the talking? It’s 2024, and it’s time to take the pen back. Because true visibility isn’t about being seen; it’s about making others feel seen. Seen enough to BLOSSOM.” 

Tickets for the Blossom gala start at just $15, but VIP guests ($100) will receive access to a premium open bar from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, light hors d’oeuvres, and prime seating, in addition to the 20-entertainer showcase with a Drag Race headliner! While doors open at 4:30 PM for the event, advance purchase online is strongly recommended by the organizers, as only a limited number of these VIP tickets are available.

-Dylan Drobish (National Director, Trans USA National Pageantry; Mr. Trans USA 2022, Mr. Freddie’s 2019

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Opinions

Attacking Jews is latest Trump outrage

Anyone who supports equality and peace must vote for Biden

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(Washington Blade file photo by Christopher Kane)

Calling out the Jewish community in the United States as Trump did, is both dumb, and anti-Semitic. The Jewish community has been a Democratic constituency for many years, and attacking them won’t get them to vote for him.

It is a difficult time for many Jews in the world today. I being one of them. I am a strong supporter of Israel, but support Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who believes there will never be peace in the Middle East as long as Netanyahu and his government are in control. Israel cannot keep annexing West Bank land, which should be part of a Palestinian state if we can get to a two-state solution. In fact, they must draw back the settlements now there. At the same time, like Schumer, I believe both Netanyahu and Hamas have to go. Being anti-Netanyahu is not being anti-Israel, just as being anti-Trump is not being anti-United States, or wanting Hamas to go, is not being anti-Palestinian. 

Attacking Jews is just one more outrageous thing coming out of Trump’s mouth. He is a notorious sexist, racist, homophobic, pig. He is an old man who can’t control his mouth and continues to spout nonsense. His apparently limited brain power is tied up in disgusting views of the world and individuals. He mocks those with disabilities like he did to a New York Times reporter, and mocks President Biden for his stutter. There was a recent column in the Washington Post reminding people Trump’s father had Alzheimer’s. I think we may be seeing the disease manifest itself in Trump. 

I have written this election is between two older men. I myself am older, and understand one often forgets a name, a date, or an event. Having just written a memoir, which I hope will be published in May, in its preface I say “these are dates and events as I remember them.” But as neuroscientist Charan Ranganath recently wrote in the Washington Post, that in no way limits how a person can understand complex issues, or in my case work as a consultant and research and write weekly columns. For a president, especially one who is older, it is important for us to know who is surrounding him or her. I am definitely more secure knowing those who will be around and advising President Biden, versus those around Trump. No one person alone, whatever their age, can handle all the issues facing a president.

Whether you are a Jew supporting Israel, a Muslim supporting the Palestinian people, or someone like me supporting both, you are better off with President Biden. If you support the Palestinian people having their freedom, then Trump must strike fear in your heart, after all, he is the one who moved the American embassy to Jerusalem. 

The idea of electing a man convicted of fraud in his business dealings, found liable for sexually mistreating a woman, and who faces another 88 criminal counts, is ludicrous. It actually says as much about the people who would vote for him, as it does about Trump. A man who brags about taking away the right of women to control their own body, and healthcare, doesn’t deserve the vote of any woman. A man who opposes equal rights, affirmative action, and saw good people on both sides in Charlottesville, doesn’t deserve the vote of any Black American. A man who opposes any forgiveness of student loans, denies climate change, opposes making community college free, doesn’t deserve the vote of any young person. 

It amazes me when people compare how things were four years ago to today, and say they were better then. A time you couldn’t find toilet paper on grocery shelves, 1,000 people a day were dying of COVID, the Dow Jones was at 19,000 and today it’s at 39,000. The country was hemorrhaging jobs and in the last three years 13 million have been created. Wages are higher and unemployment lower. 

Of course, as President Biden says, we need to do more. He is doing it, Trump didn’t. Trump gave a $2 trillion tax cut to the wealthy, increasing the national debt. He pledges to do it again. Biden passed a massive infrastructure bill, now creating thousands of jobs building and repairing bridges and roads, in every state. He passed the Chips and Science Act, recently announcing new chip factories in four states, creating thousands of new construction and manufacturing jobs. Those factories will change the U.S. from an importing country, to a producing one. That is some of the real change Biden has brought about. 

Trump talks big, but never produced; Biden is producing for the American people, and will continue to do so.

Peter Rosenstein is a longtime LGBTQ rights and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly for the Blade.

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Letter-to-the-Editor

Banning the Rainbow Flag: the latest act of GOP madness

Prohibition included in government spending bill the president signed

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The Progress Pride flag flies in front of the U.S. Embassy in Berlin on July 22, 2022. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The Republican agenda is an obvious one: Distract from real issues by assaulting the most vulnerable. That’s why they have focused their hatred on the LGBTQ+ community. After years of legislating book bans, curriculum censorship, bathroom restrictions and withholding medically needed gender therapy, their latest act is signature Republican cruelty: For a crucial trillion-dollar budget that would prevent a government shutdown, the GOP slipped in a measure to ban the display of Rainbow Flags at U.S. embassies all over the world.

This is not an act of mere symbolism. In too many countries, being queer is punishable by imprisonment or death. Measures like this give a green light to violence and homophobia both at home and abroad. It places more LGBTQ+ people at tangible risk. It is an outrageous abuse of the political process.

This cynical political maneuver is typical of the GOP, the Party of Destruction. But equally egregious is that President Biden and Democrats approved the budget, knowing the poison pill line item that had already been added.

Now, President Biden vows to repeal the embassy flag ban measure. We will hold him to his vow. Will he expend the political capital necessary to make the repeal happens? We must remember that he and the Congress capitulated to a small group of GOP manipulators and, in this instance, saw the global LGBTQ+ community as expendable.

The Democratic Party positions itself as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. They must hold their ground. They must represent and defend all of us. Otherwise, an emboldened GOP, led by Trump, will only escalate their merciless attacks on our vulnerable communities.”

Charles Beal is president of the Gilbert Baker Foundation and the Save the Rainbow Flag Campaign.

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