I stopped donating to them when I found out that their main supporters are rich gay men who throw money at a lobbying group rather than coming out of the closet and fighting for equal rights themselves.

This sort of candidate should be EXACTLY who HRC and others such as the Victory Fund should be supporting, particularly if his Dem opponent has not taken a stand.

Dan, I get your point about HRC not stepping in and helping him as political strategy. However, NC is a lot like Virginia- parts of it are real backwaters, and parts of it (like the research triangle) are more progressive. That tactic in Alabama- sure. In NC? A lot less sure.

The "movement" needs to grow up to the realities of actually winning campaigns.

HRC has outlived its usefulness. They are enjoying being Washington insiders too much to care about the lives of ordinary gay Americans.

I might add Jamie Pedersen got a domestic partner bill passed after taking office.

HRC is a sound political operation. I don't always agree with them but I'm tired of them being criticized every time they make a difficult decision.

It's also a little annoying that every time an LGBT organization doesn't back an openly gay candidate they get blasted. Viability is an important standard in deciding whom to support.

I donate to HRC because I think they get the job done and I donate to more idealistic LGBT organizations because I think we need groups pushing the envelope to make HRC's job easier to raise awareness of issues not yet ripe for action. But, I'm increasingly unwilling to give my dollars to organizations that blast HRC when they should be blasting the radical right.

I think the point about Jamie Pedersen is spot on. Jamie has become on of the legislature’s shining stars during his freshman term. He has propelled the issue of marriage equality forward in Olympia, successfully worked for the passage of two domestic partnership bills and a host of other legislation important to his district and the state. How can those who did not back the lead attorney in Washington's marriage equality case now complain that HRC is not backing an openly gay candidate?

The HRC does get alot of crap from us and some of it is rightly deserved but don't underscore they good they've done.