Slog
News & ArtsMonday, November 17, 2008
Homo / Politics HRC
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Nov 17, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Did you attend the Human Rights Campaign's annual $250-a-plate dinner in Seattle in September? Reading this will wanna make ask for your money back.
You will notice that the website of the biggest gay rights group in the country has one single mention—it's a blog about a celebrity, of course—of the massive protests that occurred for marriage equality across the country yesterday. (A letter from Joe Solmonese tells us to be nice.) You will also notice that a handful of young non-professionals were able to organize in a few days what HRC has been incapable of doing in months or years. You will know from brutal experience that in the two decades of serious struggle for marriage equality, the Human Rights Campaign has been mostly absent, and when present, often passive or reactive....It's time gay people realized that this group is often part of the problem, and rarely part of the solution. It needs to be swept clean of its deadwood, overhauled, or if it persists in its ways, defunded. When we are in a civil rights movement and the biggest organization is essentially a passive observer and excuse-maker, it's time to demand better.
Go read the whole thing.
1
I know I've been a bit out of the whole political scene for a while, but - HRC is the largest gay rights group in the country? I've literally _never_ heard of them. Ever. So yeah, I'd say they may be falling down on the job a bit.
2
The absence of HRC volunteers at the rally this past weekend was obvious, and frankly, welcomed. The HRC has been a parasite on the gay community for too many years. What exactly are they doing with all the money they raise? Where is it going? Clearly it wasn't used to help defeat Prop 8.
4
@1: Of course, the name of the largest gay rights group does not include the word "gay" or anything vaguely connected to it, so how would you know about it?
5
Maybe you would have heard them if you spent your time hanging out in ass-kissing lobbyist sessions in Washington, DC. That's what HRC mostly does, as far as I can tell. Their DC offices are extremely nice. And they do print a lot of bumperstickers, none of which ever have the word "gay" on them. It's got to be the worst bang-for-buck ratio in the entire lobbying community.
6
@1 - Their sticker is the yellow equal sign in the blue field. You see it everywhere, but I know what you're saying; they're not visible otherwise.
7
i'm so happy that people are finally realizing what a worthless organization HRC is. They are SO AFRAID of offending anyone or doing anything that seems out there that they sit around wringing their hands. they gave $3.2 million to the no on prop 8 campaign. out of the MILLIONS of dollars at their disposal, that's all they could manage? gay rights will take a huge step forward when the HRC is shut down.
8
Yeah. I decided HRC was a worthless organization about a decade ago, and haven't donated a dime to them since.
I don't know about other cities, but the rally in Seattle on Saturday appeared to be organized almost entirely by a couple of college-aged kids with virtually no budget.
I'm not sure what accomplishments HRC can claim as a lobbying organization--DOMA is still in place. Don't Ask Don't Tell is still in place--but as community organizers, they are totally useless.
I don't know about other cities, but the rally in Seattle on Saturday appeared to be organized almost entirely by a couple of college-aged kids with virtually no budget.
I'm not sure what accomplishments HRC can claim as a lobbying organization--DOMA is still in place. Don't Ask Don't Tell is still in place--but as community organizers, they are totally useless.
9
They are an entrenched beauracracy practising dinosaur politics. They need to change with the times to attract younger LGTB people. I would imagine that none of them know how to run a web campaign.
10
My realization that HRC didn't deserve any more of our money came when my partner received an affinity credit card offer, underwritten by MBNA, who had given Bush a huge campaign donation in 2000. No affinity cards through now-FIA, no matter how "well meaning" or "liberal" or "progressive" the organization.
11
Ugh. Somebody in the comments section at Joe.My.God is a big HRC supporter and took offense to my calling out HRC for hosting events that gave awards to straight celebrities. He shrieked that I must be talking about GLAAD. GLAAD does that, sure. But HRC just gave an award to Vanessa Williams. And that helps us how?
The HRC talks a good game and drops words like "grassroots" but I'm pretty sure they couldn't even find grassroots on a roll of sod.
The HRC talks a good game and drops words like "grassroots" but I'm pretty sure they couldn't even find grassroots on a roll of sod.
12
I have another theory about why "old-school" gay rights groups like HRC & NGLTF have been largely ineffective in the marriage equality fight. These groups seem to be more geared to fighting for our right to do things that make us more different that the hetero world. They've always seemed more enthusiastic about issues that would make it more OK for gay folks to safely enjoy the "fringier" aspects of gay life. But now, they're faced with having to fight for something that makes us more SIMILAR to the hetero world, and they're a bit lost.
13
As someone who cares about gay rights, but lacks the time or really the inclination to get highly involved on a volunteer or protesting level, what are some good organizations to give money to?
14
Ugh, I can't bear HRC. I have hated them ever since they endorsed Al D'Amato for U.S. Senate. D'Amato!
There was a kid canvassing for HRC at our local farmer's market yesterday. She said to me, "Do you have a second to spare for gay rights?" I thought she might be doing No on 8 organizing, so I said, "What's up?" When I saw that her clipboard said HRC, I said, "Human Rights Campaign? No way. I hate and despise them," and walked off. HRC uses paid canvassers, anyway, so any money you pledge via a canvass is going to be even less effective than it would be otherwise.
Chris @ 12, I think you're wrong about HRC. They have always been the let's-fit-in, kiss-ass, throw the fringier element under the bus group.
There was a kid canvassing for HRC at our local farmer's market yesterday. She said to me, "Do you have a second to spare for gay rights?" I thought she might be doing No on 8 organizing, so I said, "What's up?" When I saw that her clipboard said HRC, I said, "Human Rights Campaign? No way. I hate and despise them," and walked off. HRC uses paid canvassers, anyway, so any money you pledge via a canvass is going to be even less effective than it would be otherwise.
Chris @ 12, I think you're wrong about HRC. They have always been the let's-fit-in, kiss-ass, throw the fringier element under the bus group.
15
The only national LGBTQ organization that I know of that actually does good work is Lambda Legal.
16
The annual HRC dinner in Seattle is, in my opinion, an occasion for gay men to get together in black tie, drink, feel fabulous, twitter about who's sitting at who's table, demonstrate to their peers that they're wealthy enough to write a big check, then watch as all that money gets sucked into the vortex back east that is HRC's headquarters.
17
Yeah you're right Dan - they should be more like you. Instead of working within established institutions to achieve broad consensus in favor of long-term social and political change, they should become squawking parrots, bigots, gay versions of Ann Coulter whom you despise so much.
Because, you know, *that* is totally the way forward from this impasse.
Because, you know, *that* is totally the way forward from this impasse.
18
I've wondered what those equal sign bumper stickers were for years. I figured they were some sort of equal rights thing, maybe for gays or blacks or native americans or whatever, or else some kind of advertisement for Nautica, given their color scheme. I know Nautica hasn't been in fashion for years, but I figured maybe all the stickers were all old...
19
Jordan, HRC fails precisely because they think the two extremes you've just laid out are the only choices available to activists.
20
@12, I wouldn't put HRC and NGLTF in the same boat (and am only putting them in the same sentence because I have to).
I think what you're saying is more or less true of NGLTF, and I think it's a good thing that we've got an advocacy organization that continues to fight for queers' rights to be, well, queer.
HRC, on the other hand, is just plain worthless.
I think what you're saying is more or less true of NGLTF, and I think it's a good thing that we've got an advocacy organization that continues to fight for queers' rights to be, well, queer.
HRC, on the other hand, is just plain worthless.
21
They may not have had any volunteers helping run the rally, but there sure were plenty of HRC people trying to get donations! I told them as a former donor that they were never getting another nickel from me after the way they threw the transgendered under the bus.
22
Unfortunately they also appear to control, and in doing so render ineffective, a number of state orgs. For ex., they appear to run the org One Iowa, which bills itself as Iowa's largest gblt org, yet was only able to get 150 out for a No on 8 rally this past Sat. This despite the fact that our state Supreme Court is hearing a marriage equality case for Iowa on December 9. At the same time One Iowa does suck up enough oxygen from the room that it seems unlikely a more effective grass roots org can gain any traction.
23
Trey, I'm not necessarily defending HRC, but I think that, as usual, the issue is more complex than Dan's mind is able to conceive. The fight for gay rights isn't all marching and sloganeering - a lot of it is building coalitions with other interest groups, influencing key legislators and bureaucrats, in short, doing a lot of behind-the-scenes gruntwork that requires a lot of time and effort but involves no appearances on Larry King. It's disingenuous at best, and deceitful at worst, to suggest that HRC is useless simply because they're dedicated to an incrementalist approach.
24
And they fired Lane Hudson after his blog broke the Mark Foley story and helped push the House back to the Dems in 2006.
26
I went as press and didn't have to pay a dime, I don't think I would have gone if I had to give them money.
27
1) Balt-o-malt: honoring straight people who help the gay rights movement helps gays. You don't have to be gay to help
2) HRC, while I think they have a lot of issues, still does a lot of good work. You can't judge them solely on the basis of what they gave to the Prop 8 campaign. Though this was a major race in the gay rights movement, it wasn't the only one. Also, Propositions and lobbying to repeal Don't Ask Don't tell isn't the only way to make change- HRC has spent a lot of time and money in the last several years working to elect pro-equality representatives, both a the state and national level. You have to have people in office who are willing to listen to you before you're going to get rid of Don't Ask Don't Tell, pass ENDA, and continue stopping the passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment.
3) HRC bankrolls a lot of state-level equality organizations (including our own Equal Rights Washington), again, trying to effect change at a grassroots level. So don't assume that just because it doesn't say HRC on it, they're not involved
4) I agree that HRC was appallingly absent from pretty much all or the protests everywhere (that I've heard of). While I'm a fan of the protests, it would have been great if organizations had been able to harness that energy to do more productive things in the future- sign up members, get volunteers, get money, etc. What a perfect opportunity for HRC (or any other organization for that matter) to get new members- an opportunity they missed.
5) It's easy to scapegoat HRC. How much did you do to work against Prop 8? Maybe we need to ask why it is that before the election so many people were complacent, and it is only after Prop 8 passes that people care and protest, where they wouldn't give their time or money before? Maybe the deeper issue here is the apathy of a large portion of the gay community, and not just in regards to HRC.
More...
2) HRC, while I think they have a lot of issues, still does a lot of good work. You can't judge them solely on the basis of what they gave to the Prop 8 campaign. Though this was a major race in the gay rights movement, it wasn't the only one. Also, Propositions and lobbying to repeal Don't Ask Don't tell isn't the only way to make change- HRC has spent a lot of time and money in the last several years working to elect pro-equality representatives, both a the state and national level. You have to have people in office who are willing to listen to you before you're going to get rid of Don't Ask Don't Tell, pass ENDA, and continue stopping the passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment.
3) HRC bankrolls a lot of state-level equality organizations (including our own Equal Rights Washington), again, trying to effect change at a grassroots level. So don't assume that just because it doesn't say HRC on it, they're not involved
4) I agree that HRC was appallingly absent from pretty much all or the protests everywhere (that I've heard of). While I'm a fan of the protests, it would have been great if organizations had been able to harness that energy to do more productive things in the future- sign up members, get volunteers, get money, etc. What a perfect opportunity for HRC (or any other organization for that matter) to get new members- an opportunity they missed.
5) It's easy to scapegoat HRC. How much did you do to work against Prop 8? Maybe we need to ask why it is that before the election so many people were complacent, and it is only after Prop 8 passes that people care and protest, where they wouldn't give their time or money before? Maybe the deeper issue here is the apathy of a large portion of the gay community, and not just in regards to HRC.
28
Money is not the answer.
ACTION is the answer.
And that means learning from what worked up north, instead of wishing and hoping and praying and going to fine dinners.
ACTION is the answer.
And that means learning from what worked up north, instead of wishing and hoping and praying and going to fine dinners.
29
I didn't say they should be just like me -- or link to a post written by someone else. I said, or the post said, that they should be effective. Which is, in your opinion, the opposite of me, Jordan, so we're in agreement here.
30
For those asking for good groups, certainly two that I appreciate are Lamda Legal (mentioned already) and, for those that particularly care about DADT, the Servicemember's Legal Defense Fund who help soldiers caught up in DADT.
31
@27. Of course. But, you know, it would be better if they gave awards to straight people who actually, oh I don't know, DID something. Right? Or maybe reached out to straight people more? Do they do that? Are there HRC ads in the non-gay press? Are they a presence church conferences?
They talk a good game about outreach, but I'm not really sure it's happening. I've noted that Equality Maryland has several former HRC employees on staff. Somehow this doesn't make me feel better. . .
Cheers.
They talk a good game about outreach, but I'm not really sure it's happening. I've noted that Equality Maryland has several former HRC employees on staff. Somehow this doesn't make me feel better. . .
Cheers.
32
@28, but money can fund action. Lawsuits are not cheap, nor is lobbying. Running ads, paying organizers, setting up events all require funds. Not everyone cares enough to 'get involved' but many do care enough to throw 20, 50, 100 bucks to organizations that are working to advance equality.
@30 and 15 thanks!
@30 and 15 thanks!
33
The HRC seems to exist only to stand around with clipboards on downtown streets and college campuses asking people if they have a moment for gay rights. I do, but I don't want to pay a monthly membership for no real reason other than to get your little equals-sign sticker that makes most people think of some Scandinavian country.
34
@13 - Another good group (and the one that initiated the HIV travel ban fight Sullivan mentions in the full article) is Immigration Equality. Their big thing is the Uniting American Families Act, which would let gay U.S. citizens sponsor their partners (legally married or not), just like straight folks can.
35
I have to say that one of the main reasons why HRC did not participate in this weekends rally officially i think may have to do with the very obvious reasons that have been displayed in this blog. Some of these protests have become ugly at times, people calling African Americans the n-word (which has happened at a few of these rallies) is not an action that HRC, LAMBDA Legal, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force want to be associated with.
I do have to say that during this election cycle i thought that HRC was extremely effective. They targeted about 20 key races across the country for senate and house seats. THESE alliances with congress and house members will be very important when we want to pass things like ENDA, and the Matthew Sheppard Hate Crimes Bill.
I think there are a lot of people sounding off right now that are not well informed and misguided in their information on HRC. Instead of working against each other like Savage, Sullivan and others, i think we should stop the infighting (are we the GOP?!) and start working together.
I do have to say that during this election cycle i thought that HRC was extremely effective. They targeted about 20 key races across the country for senate and house seats. THESE alliances with congress and house members will be very important when we want to pass things like ENDA, and the Matthew Sheppard Hate Crimes Bill.
I think there are a lot of people sounding off right now that are not well informed and misguided in their information on HRC. Instead of working against each other like Savage, Sullivan and others, i think we should stop the infighting (are we the GOP?!) and start working together.
36
"a handful of young non-professionals were able to organize in a few days what HRC has been incapable of doing in months or years"
A protest? Ooh, we're saved.
A protest? Ooh, we're saved.
37
As someone who was there on Saturday, I was thrilled to see Equal Rights WA, our statewide advocacy organzation, visible and actively organizing/supporting the march organizers. In just 4 years, ERW has accomplished some amazing work including passage of the Anderson-Murray anti-discrimination bill and two successive domestic partnership bills. I truly respect their work and highly encourage folks to get involved - www.equalrightswashington.org. Check out their new campaign - One Minute for Marriage!
38
Now: A post about the ineffectiveness of the HRC
Next: Water found to be wet. Sun to set in West.
Next: Water found to be wet. Sun to set in West.
39
@29, perhaps you need to educate yourself on what "effective" means. I'm glad you had your group therapy session in Volunteer Park, and hopefully you've gotten all of your frustrations out of your system by launching a stream of invective at Mormons and blacks. Now that you've thoroughly poisoned the atmosphere, and made constructive dialogue difficult if not impossible for the moment, you can go ahead and leave the task of advancing the cause of gay rights to people who are more capable than you of achieving results.
Others on this thread have pointed out to you ways in which the HRC has contributed to the advancement of gay rights. It's not that there isn't room for criticism, but for it to come from you is a little difficult to swallow. There is little glory in doing the grindwork, but what would you know about work - your MO is to go on tv and yell and scream and play righteous indignation. You should try thinking about solutions for a change.
Others on this thread have pointed out to you ways in which the HRC has contributed to the advancement of gay rights. It's not that there isn't room for criticism, but for it to come from you is a little difficult to swallow. There is little glory in doing the grindwork, but what would you know about work - your MO is to go on tv and yell and scream and play righteous indignation. You should try thinking about solutions for a change.
40
Have I missed something? Did HRC sit down with the Mormons before the vote? Are they planning to sit down with the Mormon leadership soon? What about the Catholic leaders? Has HRC reached out to them? I hope so. Because we need someone reaching out to the other side, and apparently HRC and its supporters say that it is the organization that says it's responsible and level headed enough to avoid signs of anger in order to play with the grown ups.
Good luck, HRC. And godspeed!
Good luck, HRC. And godspeed!
41
Enough bitching, folks. None of y'all is a lobbyist or a Washington insider, last I checked, so I'm truly not sure how much I can believe you.
I say that Dan Savage should be the next president of HRC when Solmonese's term is up. He's certainly one of the more-visible gay talking heads around. And hell, if Hilary Rosen could do the job ...
I say that Dan Savage should be the next president of HRC when Solmonese's term is up. He's certainly one of the more-visible gay talking heads around. And hell, if Hilary Rosen could do the job ...
42
As a longtime supporter of HRC, I have really struggled with what looks like "safe" decision making on their part, but I think sometimes you have to do the tap dance to get things done inside the political machine that aren't as sexy or don't make headlines.
What I keep coming back to is the apathy. I just moved to San Francisco from Seattle and was so excited to be able to vote in this historic election. But 50% turnout in the city of San Francisco? That's inexcusable. Don't like HRC? Fine, don't donate to them. But do SOMETHING tangible. I'm so tired of listening to bitching and moaning by people who just want to get high and go dancing and assume someone else will fight their fight. If nothing else, Yes on 8 woke people up to what's going on outside our bubble.
And for the record, I've found I can donate, write letters, volunteer and still have PLENTY of time to get high and go dancing.
What I keep coming back to is the apathy. I just moved to San Francisco from Seattle and was so excited to be able to vote in this historic election. But 50% turnout in the city of San Francisco? That's inexcusable. Don't like HRC? Fine, don't donate to them. But do SOMETHING tangible. I'm so tired of listening to bitching and moaning by people who just want to get high and go dancing and assume someone else will fight their fight. If nothing else, Yes on 8 woke people up to what's going on outside our bubble.
And for the record, I've found I can donate, write letters, volunteer and still have PLENTY of time to get high and go dancing.
43
For those looking for an alternative to HRC for donations, a good (and local!) group is the Pride Foundation. We switched our giving from HRC to them years ago, they do good work.
45
Hmmm...i got the following email from HRC a couple of days prior to the event. Were it not for my SLOG reading and being up on things, I doubt as a college student in Delaware that I would have heard about this any other way as our local papers only put gay-related news out there if it's about the latest bust at some cruisy park.
Dear Scott,
Will we be extremists for hate or will we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice - or will we be extremists for the cause of justice?
- Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail
Our anger is just.
Our goal is vital.
Our cause is love.
The passage of hateful initiatives has ignited the passion of thousands.
Sign the pledge to keep fighting, loving, and listening – and overturn these laws.
On November 4, voters in California, Arizona, and Florida declared that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are not equal under the law.
Our rights were stripped. Our love was branded unworthy of the name marriage, though our commitments and responsibilities to each other are worthy of nothing less.
We are angry – and that anger has moved to the streets.
This Saturday, thousands of people across the country, spontaneously organizing themselves in a truly grassroots movement, will convene to raise the call for equality. To find an event near you click here.
Dear Scott,
Will we be extremists for hate or will we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice - or will we be extremists for the cause of justice?
- Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail
Our anger is just.
Our goal is vital.
Our cause is love.
The passage of hateful initiatives has ignited the passion of thousands.
Sign the pledge to keep fighting, loving, and listening – and overturn these laws.
On November 4, voters in California, Arizona, and Florida declared that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are not equal under the law.
Our rights were stripped. Our love was branded unworthy of the name marriage, though our commitments and responsibilities to each other are worthy of nothing less.
We are angry – and that anger has moved to the streets.
This Saturday, thousands of people across the country, spontaneously organizing themselves in a truly grassroots movement, will convene to raise the call for equality. To find an event near you click here.
47
HRC has always been more DC cocktail circuit than a movement, IMHO.
They've trendily endorsed not-overtly-anti-gay Republicans over pro-gay Democrats in a futile effort to be bi-partisan and kiss ass.
See: Lincoln Chafee, Al D'Amato, Arlen Specter
They've trendily endorsed not-overtly-anti-gay Republicans over pro-gay Democrats in a futile effort to be bi-partisan and kiss ass.
See: Lincoln Chafee, Al D'Amato, Arlen Specter
48
Also, NARAL also suffers from being equally limp-dicked.
Both are too busy looking at the trees (finding and supporting Republicans who don't think gays/pro-choicers should burn in hell) and completely missing the forest (Democratic control means very little chance of anti-gay or anti-choice legislation passing and a much greater chance of legislation moving the ball forward getting passed).
They want to be "non-partisan" but sorry, gay rights and choice are very partisan issues however much they pretend that isn't true.
Both are too busy looking at the trees (finding and supporting Republicans who don't think gays/pro-choicers should burn in hell) and completely missing the forest (Democratic control means very little chance of anti-gay or anti-choice legislation passing and a much greater chance of legislation moving the ball forward getting passed).
They want to be "non-partisan" but sorry, gay rights and choice are very partisan issues however much they pretend that isn't true.
49
@46 That's why we need more publicity for good groups. I am probably not going to volunteer for marriage equality mostly due to time constraints, but I would throw a hundred bucks every now and then toward the cause.
50
quite true, @48. Kind of like the diff between WCV and Sierra Club.
Nothing wrong with a spectrum of choices, mind you, and there did use to be a day when having an R after your name didn't mean you were a Red Bushie who hates America.
Yes, Virginia, there used to be real fiscal conservatives in the GOP. It was long ago and far far away, of course.
Nothing wrong with a spectrum of choices, mind you, and there did use to be a day when having an R after your name didn't mean you were a Red Bushie who hates America.
Yes, Virginia, there used to be real fiscal conservatives in the GOP. It was long ago and far far away, of course.
51
All you bitter queens, Dan you too should stop bitching and start volunteering (marching does not qualify). What you did years ago is much appreciated but does not count today.
All of you should be volunteering for ERW or some other GLBT Washington Non-profit. It's easy to stand on the side line and point a finger and bitch. It's something entirely different and MUCH HARDER to take the risks of getting involved. I'm sick and fucking tired of Gay-Americans spending energy tearing each other apart. Sometimes I think some of you are Moles for Focus on the Family trying to plant division.
All of you should be volunteering for ERW or some other GLBT Washington Non-profit. It's easy to stand on the side line and point a finger and bitch. It's something entirely different and MUCH HARDER to take the risks of getting involved. I'm sick and fucking tired of Gay-Americans spending energy tearing each other apart. Sometimes I think some of you are Moles for Focus on the Family trying to plant division.
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
Hating People Doesn't Make Them Thinner by Jen Graves
-
Los Angeles Gay Bar Bans Bachelorette Parties Until Marriage Equality Is Attained by David Schmader
-
Fill in the Blank by Grant Brissey
-
This Reminds Me of the Great Calculator Scare of the Late '70s/Early '80s by David Schmader
-
Idiot Tries to Defend Bigoted Anti-Gay-Marriage Preacher on Anderson Cooper by Paul Constant
-
SL Letter of the Day: Putting It In by Dan Savage
-
Six Moms with Too Much Time on Their Hands and a Shitty Website Decide to Fight Gay Superheroes by Paul Constant
-
Why Mayor McGinn's Wife Canceled Her Family's Seattle Times Subscription by Eli Sanders
-
What the Hell Is Wrong With Seattle's Pride Parade? by Dominic Holden
-
Meet the UW "Swagga Suit" by David Schmader
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (53) RSS