Comments on: Praise, criticism as HRC heads into new era

By: Karena

Karena — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:23:45 +0000

People who argue from the point of “It’s all about rights for ME! Let’s toss those Others under the bus!” play right into the hands of those who claim ENDA is granting “Special Rights”. But compromising your morality for personal benefit is human nature.

I wonder what was on the minds of those white Civil Rights workers who came to the South to fight for equality for African Americans in the early 60′s were thinking. Justice, perhaps? You might find some of the non-LGBT “Allies” deserting you when you start knifing your loose “Community” in the back. Hypocrisy doesn’t play well.

By: Skeptical Cicada

Skeptical Cicada — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:21:19 +0000

The biggest problem with HRC is hardly that it isn’t politically correct enough. The biggest problem with HRC is that it has become a meek and compliant appendage of the Democratic Party. It prefer to manipulate gay people for the Democratic Party than pressure the Democratic Party for gay people. The President tries to postpone DADT repeal until 2011, and HRC compliantly runs interference and blames Congress for it? No, the organization has destroyed its credibility.

By: Latest Pa State Employment Laws News | PA Laws

Latest Pa State Employment Laws News | PA Laws — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:10:31 +0000

[...] Praise, criticism as HRC heads into new era In addition to lobbying Congress, the White House and state and local governments on LGBT supportive bills and policies, and its election-related work on behalf of LGBT supportive candidates, HRC supporters point to a wide range of projects carried out … Read more on Washington Blade [...]

By: Lynn

Lynn — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:18:53 +0000

Barney Frank is gonna be job hunting soon………

By: Michelle Gould

Michelle Gould — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 08:13:57 +0000

Give me a chance to walk the halls

By: John-Manuel Andriote

John-Manuel Andriote — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:56:51 +0000

Let’s hope the next HRC director rediscovers the HIV epidemic that continues to affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of gay men. It is shameful that this organization, built on the donations and volunteer effort of men and women brought into the “movement” for a just response to AIDS–and the larger LGBT equality movement–behaves as if there is a cure for HIV infection and everyone who needs it has it. HRC reflects the agenda and values of its mostly white, educated, middle-class donors. Even those among them who are HIV-positive have “moved on.” Their private health insurance pays for their excellent medical care and medication, and they don’t much think about HIV/AIDS beyond that.

Meanwhile, as many as 50 percent of young black and Latino gay/bi men in 21 US cities are HIV-positive. That is a higher rate than ANY country in the poorest, most HIV-plagued country of the developing world. Yet HRC has not been a champion of prevention funding proportionate to the burden of existing HIV and risk for new HIV infection among these men. In fact, you have to search a bit on HRC’s website to find even the outdated articles there on HIV. When questioned by a reporter about their HIV-related work, HRC spokespersons describe bringing the “heft” of their organization to encourage President Obama to overturn the ban on HIV-positive travelers coming to the US and on federal funding for needle exchange programs. But those two achievements have nothing, really, to do with American gay/bi men.

I certainly hope HRC will use its perception of its “heft” to advocate on behalf of ALL LGBT Americans, not only its more privileged supporters.

By: We All Laugh at HRC’s Apologists… « ENDAblog

We All Laugh at HRC’s Apologists… « ENDAblog — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:05:01 +0000

[...] …and rightly so. Arlington, Va., gay activist Bob Mialovich, an HRC member and contributor who retired recently as a federal government official, called such criticism unfair. [...]

By: Michi Eyre

Michi Eyre — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:15:10 +0000

Perhaps once they get some real transsexuals on their board of directors, not just one person who is only transgender out of convenience, HRC will finally get some representation. The problem is that these organizations are funded by rich gay men who want to marry their partners. These people have already made their fortunes and don’t care about workplace rights, more or less for transsexuals. The HRC is using lazy tactics to claim they are doing something for trans such as dangling a golden carrot in the faces of employers threatening their CEI scores if they don’t give in. Mind you now, I support the addition of trans medical procedures in the CEI but my point is that why isn’t HRC in Washington doing anything for ENDA. Why didn’t they use their influence in New York to put some grease into GENDA after marriage equality passed? Just like how GLAAD sometimes shifts away from media issues, HRC needs to focus back on workplace issues and before they can tackle anything trans, they need to bring on advisers and board members who are going through a medical transition and may be out of work or in low paying jobs. Sure, these people may not have a resume that looks very impressive on a press release but these people represent the real people that this organization is supposedly going up to bat for. Let the local equality groups handle marriage. Let the NCTE and local groups handle other trans issues. HRC needs to be focused on WORKPLACE issues that effect everyone.. nationwide.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:11:33 +0000

Hmm, the complaint of Foreman and some others perhaps is that HRC doesn’t get along with other groups? Perhaps that just means these angry activitists won’t get along along with HRC?

Solomonese seems to have been a strong leader. Most LGBT groups cannot obtain a leader who lasts more than a few months maybe two years. So something worked here.

One hopes that in the rush to get ‘diversity’ in the leadership, HRC doesn’t pick a weak successor. Bizarre that the LGBT community has turned racial diversity into a fetish. Horrors: the best qualified candidate may be a gay white man?

By: Jackie Valtieri

Jackie Valtieri — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:26:55 +0000

Why do you dedicate so much space to the demands and criticism of trans activists? These trans activists are the primary reason that there is no ENDA today, as they “persuaded” HRC to follow a suicidal policy of insisting that the bill be stuffed with “gender identity” provisions – which are dead on arrival in Congress. Bad enough that these activists have caused such appalling damage to this effort, but they contribute no money, no resources, and few bodies. In sum, all they do is make demands. Who cares whether they object or don’t object to HRC’s pursuing marriage equality? Their opinion should matter as much as that of any non-contributing loudmouth on the street.

If HRC is entering a new era, let it be an era dedicated to actually getting things done. They can start by backing state battles for marriage equality to the hilt. And they can pass ENDA and benefit workers of all sexual orientations by introducing it in its original, intended form.