Top strategist to depart HRC

Human Rights Campaign headquarters in Washington, D.C.(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

WASHINGTON — The top policy and strategy strategist at the nation’s largest LGBT advocacy organization will depart this summer, according to a statement released earlier this week.

David Smith, who joined the organization in 1995, led efforts to make the Human Rights Campaign “a household name,” according to a statement on Smith by HRC President Chad Griffin, who also credits Smith with helping to repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” and the passage of federal hate crime protections, as well as helping create the HRC National Dinner, where Bill Clinton became the first sitting U.S. president to address an LGBT advocacy group.

“Those of you who have worked with David directly know him to be incredibly passionate, kind, hard-working and generous,” Griffin’s statement reads. “He’s been a mentor, a sounding-board, and an advocate for good ideas wherever they emerge.”