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News & ArtsMonday, October 5, 2009
Politics / Homo What He Said
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Sullivan on Obama's upcoming speech at the HRC's black-tie dinner...
In some ways, Obama's fealty to the big gay lobby rather than to the real gay community is testimony to why Democratic party politics remain repulsive to me. HRC has achieved nothing substantive for gay equality on a federal level in the twenty years I've been observing them. But they sure know how to milk donors at swanky black tie affairs. They are the Rotary Club for affluent gays, and their prime job is to explain to the gay community why it is never in the Democratic party's interest to do anything for gay people that might actually resemble equality. Oh, yes, we'll get a lovely Obama speech. Like that costs him anything or proves anything.... If Obama wants to support gay equality, he knows what to do. If Pelosi and Reid want to support gay equality, they know what to do. If HRC believes in gay equality, they also know what to do.So spare us the schmoozing and the sweet-talking and do it. Until then, Mr. President, why don't you have a nice steaming cup of shut-the-fuck-up?
3
@2 ... like bringing the troops home from the three wars the neocons roped us into, like Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan?
4
I'd guess this isn't a real possibility, but I wish some of the people attending this event would date their checks for the day after the dinner and then let 'em bounce. Tell Obama, "you get your money when we get a DADT off the books / real support for marriage equity from the president's office / insane amounts so public support for the Matthew Shepard hate crime bill.
I just realized that this money isn't going directly to the democrats, but it's still a good one. (Save for later.)
I just realized that this money isn't going directly to the democrats, but it's still a good one. (Save for later.)
5
Some people are so bitter. And at the wrong people. Dems have done quite a bit for gay people on the state levels. Could they do more on the federal level? Sure. But know who your enemy is. It's the Republicans. That's who is taking away your rights. And I have every confidence in both the HRC and Pres. Obama. Things are changing.
6
My my some one needs a nap. HRC is doing something Andrew. You're doing something. Neither what you do nor what HRC does has brought about the changes YOU seek. HRC asks for money, you can ask for money. HRC has paid staff, you can have paid staff. See Andrew it's not about how one tears down walls that matters, it's how one builds things that does. Building things right takes time. Gay.Inc is not run by perfect beings whose sole function is to make all Gay citizens happy. Frankly all Gay citizens will never be happy. HRC and Gay.Inc want to be visible and if possible to effect change, just like you Andrew.
So cut the crap Andrew. Keep blogging away Andrew, everyone reads what you have to say. HRC does not speak for you I appreciate that Andrew. But there are plenty of Gay Americans for whom they do speak and they're willing to give money as freely as you're will to with hold it.
So cut the crap Andrew. Keep blogging away Andrew, everyone reads what you have to say. HRC does not speak for you I appreciate that Andrew. But there are plenty of Gay Americans for whom they do speak and they're willing to give money as freely as you're will to with hold it.
8
I hate HRC with a passion. Their recent dinner in Seattle only reinforced that feeling.
A friend to whom I owed a huge, literally lifesaving favor called me the day before pleading with me to help fill his table -- nothing else could have gotten me to attend.
What a miserable evening. 5 1/2 hours of tedious pretension with 90 minutes of speeches between the salad and the entree. That part was magical -- by the time they served the main course the rubber chicken had transformed into a beige hockey puck.
One speaker actually showed a powerpoint with the equation:
Money = Power = Rights
Therefore, Money = Rights. Give money to HRC.
I wanted to vomit. Fuck all those years of working for shit pay or volunteering to work for GLBT candidates and lobbying state and federal legislators. If I'd gotten a job at Microsoft and tithed to HRC, we'd have had workplace protections and marriage years ago. And a pony.
The only undisgusting part of the entire night was when Anne Levinson worked the crowd and got them to donate $70,000 to the Approve R-71 campaign. Otherwise it was a total
Fuck HRC!
A friend to whom I owed a huge, literally lifesaving favor called me the day before pleading with me to help fill his table -- nothing else could have gotten me to attend.
What a miserable evening. 5 1/2 hours of tedious pretension with 90 minutes of speeches between the salad and the entree. That part was magical -- by the time they served the main course the rubber chicken had transformed into a beige hockey puck.
One speaker actually showed a powerpoint with the equation:
Money = Power = Rights
Therefore, Money = Rights. Give money to HRC.
I wanted to vomit. Fuck all those years of working for shit pay or volunteering to work for GLBT candidates and lobbying state and federal legislators. If I'd gotten a job at Microsoft and tithed to HRC, we'd have had workplace protections and marriage years ago. And a pony.
The only undisgusting part of the entire night was when Anne Levinson worked the crowd and got them to donate $70,000 to the Approve R-71 campaign. Otherwise it was a total
Fuck HRC!
9
I love that his current page has a video of him drinking red wine while chatting with another well-dressed fellow about Obama being a Tory. Very, um, him.
12
#5, you are insane. Bill Clinton signed DOMA into law. He's also responsible for DADT. BOTH parties are homophobic. If one person punches me ten times in the face and another person punches me nine times, the one who punched me nine times isn't "better." The Democratic Party is dead set AGAINST equal rights and loves it when ignorant fags like you defend them. As long as YOU defend them, they never have to defend themselves. As long as Obama can go to fundraising parties with HRC, he can always say he's a "fierce advocate" fighting for us. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Fuck off, right wingers!
13
Seattle LGBT Equality Weekend October 10 – 11, 2009
Seattle OUTProtest has brought together a grassroots coalition of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and straight people and organizations to organize a series of solidarity events to coincide with the National March for Equality this October.
Whatever your sexual orientation or gender identity may be, the best way to ensure that all of our struggles for social and economic justice progress is to stand together in solidarity. As the old labor slogan so aptly expresses, “An Injury to One is an Injury to All.” This year, on the fortieth anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, on the thirtieth anniversary of the first LGBT March on Washington, on the ninetieth anniversary of the Seattle General Strike, and on the tenth anniversary of the Battle in Seattle, we are excited to build a grassroots movement for civil rights and equality for all, starting with Approving Referendum 71 and keeping domestic partnerships legal.
March and Rally
Forty years after the Stonewall Rebellion, we march in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and allies in Washington, DC to demand equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states and to show our public support for the Approval of Referendum 71 here in Washington state.
Sunday, October 11
2:00 pm: Volunteer Park, 10th Ave E & E Prospect
5:00 pm: Rally, Federal Courthouse, 7th & Stewart
Thinking Queerly: Community Workshops on LGBT Issues
Community organizers and activists will present a series of workshops on a range of issues affecting the lgbt community including Stonewall and lgbt movement history, homelessness, hate crimes and self defense, lgbt health, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, lgbt legal issues, Gay-Straight Alliances, marriage equality, and more.
Saturday, October 10
9:30 am to 5 pm
Piggot Auditorium, Seattle University
HIV/AIDS Vigil
As the AIDS pandemic nears its fourth decade, we gather to educate and raise awareness about the continued struggles of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, friends, and support networks as well as to demand all resources and all funding necessary for prevention, treatment, and a cure.
Saturday, October 10
Starting at 6 pm
Seattle Central Community College South Plaza, Broadway & E Pine
Generation Q Mega Mixer
Come mingle and mix with seasoned leaders and activists of the GLBTQ community at the Generation Q Mega Mixer. Young leaders (25 and under please) will have the opportunity to socialize, learn from, and quite possibly have a dance off with some of the community's most inspiring members in a relaxed social environment.
Sunday, October 11
6:30 pm
Sole Repair Shop, 1001 E Pike
Seattle LGBT Equality Weekend March & Rally
http://nationalmarch.seattleoutprotest.o…
Get involved with one of our planning committees! Contact for more time and details:
March/Rally Committee, March@seattleoutprotest.org
Workshops Committee, Workshops@seattleoutprotest.org
Outreach Committee, Outreach@seattleoutprotest.org
Mixer Committee, Mixer@seattleoutprotest.org
HIV/AIDS Vigil Committee, Vigil@seattleoutprotest.org
Biweekly General Organizing Meetings, please contact whitney@seattleoutprotest.org for time and location.
National Equality March: Equality Across America
www.equalityacrossamerica.org
Endorsed by Seattle Gay News, Radical Women, Queer Ally Coalition, International Socialist Organization, Socialist Alternative, Freedom Socialist Party, Gay City Health Project, Entre Hermanos, Cascades Rainbow Community Center/Skagit, Seattle OUTProtest, Community to Community Development, Bellingham, Sub Pop Records, 5th District Democrats (www.5thdems.org), American Friends Service Committee, Inlaws & Outlaws and the True Stories Project, Pride at Work, Washington Jobs with Justice - MLK, Seattle Education Association, Out in Tacoma, Rainbow Center of Tacoma, Queer Kidz, Temple B'Nai Torah, PFLAG Olympia, Amnesty International, Metropolitan Community Church - Seattle, Center for MultiCultural Health, Washington Marriage Alliance, The Backpack Project, A.N.S.W.E.R., Party for Socialism and Liberation, PFLAG - Olympia, The Queer Foundation, PFLAG - Bellevue, and more... You know, the COMMUNITY!
Approve Referendum 71
Keep the Domestic Partnership Law
More...
Seattle OUTProtest has brought together a grassroots coalition of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and straight people and organizations to organize a series of solidarity events to coincide with the National March for Equality this October.
Whatever your sexual orientation or gender identity may be, the best way to ensure that all of our struggles for social and economic justice progress is to stand together in solidarity. As the old labor slogan so aptly expresses, “An Injury to One is an Injury to All.” This year, on the fortieth anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, on the thirtieth anniversary of the first LGBT March on Washington, on the ninetieth anniversary of the Seattle General Strike, and on the tenth anniversary of the Battle in Seattle, we are excited to build a grassroots movement for civil rights and equality for all, starting with Approving Referendum 71 and keeping domestic partnerships legal.
March and Rally
Forty years after the Stonewall Rebellion, we march in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and allies in Washington, DC to demand equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states and to show our public support for the Approval of Referendum 71 here in Washington state.
Sunday, October 11
2:00 pm: Volunteer Park, 10th Ave E & E Prospect
5:00 pm: Rally, Federal Courthouse, 7th & Stewart
Thinking Queerly: Community Workshops on LGBT Issues
Community organizers and activists will present a series of workshops on a range of issues affecting the lgbt community including Stonewall and lgbt movement history, homelessness, hate crimes and self defense, lgbt health, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, lgbt legal issues, Gay-Straight Alliances, marriage equality, and more.
Saturday, October 10
9:30 am to 5 pm
Piggot Auditorium, Seattle University
HIV/AIDS Vigil
As the AIDS pandemic nears its fourth decade, we gather to educate and raise awareness about the continued struggles of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, friends, and support networks as well as to demand all resources and all funding necessary for prevention, treatment, and a cure.
Saturday, October 10
Starting at 6 pm
Seattle Central Community College South Plaza, Broadway & E Pine
Generation Q Mega Mixer
Come mingle and mix with seasoned leaders and activists of the GLBTQ community at the Generation Q Mega Mixer. Young leaders (25 and under please) will have the opportunity to socialize, learn from, and quite possibly have a dance off with some of the community's most inspiring members in a relaxed social environment.
Sunday, October 11
6:30 pm
Sole Repair Shop, 1001 E Pike
Seattle LGBT Equality Weekend March & Rally
http://nationalmarch.seattleoutprotest.o…
Get involved with one of our planning committees! Contact for more time and details:
March/Rally Committee, March@seattleoutprotest.org
Workshops Committee, Workshops@seattleoutprotest.org
Outreach Committee, Outreach@seattleoutprotest.org
Mixer Committee, Mixer@seattleoutprotest.org
HIV/AIDS Vigil Committee, Vigil@seattleoutprotest.org
Biweekly General Organizing Meetings, please contact whitney@seattleoutprotest.org for time and location.
National Equality March: Equality Across America
www.equalityacrossamerica.org
Endorsed by Seattle Gay News, Radical Women, Queer Ally Coalition, International Socialist Organization, Socialist Alternative, Freedom Socialist Party, Gay City Health Project, Entre Hermanos, Cascades Rainbow Community Center/Skagit, Seattle OUTProtest, Community to Community Development, Bellingham, Sub Pop Records, 5th District Democrats (www.5thdems.org), American Friends Service Committee, Inlaws & Outlaws and the True Stories Project, Pride at Work, Washington Jobs with Justice - MLK, Seattle Education Association, Out in Tacoma, Rainbow Center of Tacoma, Queer Kidz, Temple B'Nai Torah, PFLAG Olympia, Amnesty International, Metropolitan Community Church - Seattle, Center for MultiCultural Health, Washington Marriage Alliance, The Backpack Project, A.N.S.W.E.R., Party for Socialism and Liberation, PFLAG - Olympia, The Queer Foundation, PFLAG - Bellevue, and more... You know, the COMMUNITY!
Approve Referendum 71
Keep the Domestic Partnership Law
14
For the fags and dykes who defend and make excuses for the Democratic Party, answer this one: why did Gregoire make a photo op out of signing the "everything but marriage bill", but she has yet to come out publicly in favor of approving Ref 71? Why do Democrats only support lgbt rights a) when they're running for office, b) when they can get some cash out of the deal, and c) when they need publicity? Hell even right wing creationist Hutchison has come out in support of Ref 71. It's so disgusting to see all these fags and dykes driving around with their Obama & Gregoire stickers knowing neither one of them gives a fuck about our lives.
15
The only thing I've ever seen the HRC do is sell little bumper stickers and other marketing swag. Their shop on Castro and 19th in San Francisco never has customers.
17
oh, by the way, this just out from the WH, we're staying in Afghanistan and you can forget having balanced budgets before 2020.
18
@15, that's not actually true. I've spent quite a bit of time ripping on HRC, but they really started to warm my heart a little after the Justice Department wrote those terrible briefs in support of DOMA. Sadly, they seem to be falling back into their horrible ways by inviting Obama to speak.
I wish someone would grow some balls (or ovaries) and start intentionally snubbing Obama and other unhelpful Dems for these events. Obama has definitely made some nice moves in other areas, but his GLBT work has left a great deal to be desired.
I wish someone would grow some balls (or ovaries) and start intentionally snubbing Obama and other unhelpful Dems for these events. Obama has definitely made some nice moves in other areas, but his GLBT work has left a great deal to be desired.
19
The only reason Joe Salmonese agreed to do that fundraising piece at the HRC Seattle dinner is that he knew that his own membership would start to turn on him if they didn't finally return some of that $700k they haul out of here every fall. Judging by the empty seats at this one, that already may be starting to happen. If we've seen even 3% of that money the dinner generates return to Washington, I'll get down and kiss someone's ass.
HRC pioneered the concept of sucking dollars out of targeted regions - all while basically not doing shit for them in any real way. And what could be more appealing to faux gay money activists in Seattle than some empty philanthropic involvement that exchanges $1200 bucks and a fake warm, fuzzy and the false impression of access in a red rope line culture? Dumb gay men just fall over like lemmings. Oh and how about the woman who launched into the Gordon Gekko speech? What a model of inspiration.
What does this tell you? You've dumped a shitload of money down the drain while you should have been supporting local groups like Equal Rights Washington, GSBA, Gay City, and others. These folks do the heavy lifting, while you try to ration out that showing up for chicken at the Westin is such a grand gesture and just means so much. My advice here is to get off your ass , roll up your sleeves and actually do something for this community that means something, because as is, this thing has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate that it doesn't really mean or do shit.
HRC pioneered the concept of sucking dollars out of targeted regions - all while basically not doing shit for them in any real way. And what could be more appealing to faux gay money activists in Seattle than some empty philanthropic involvement that exchanges $1200 bucks and a fake warm, fuzzy and the false impression of access in a red rope line culture? Dumb gay men just fall over like lemmings. Oh and how about the woman who launched into the Gordon Gekko speech? What a model of inspiration.
What does this tell you? You've dumped a shitload of money down the drain while you should have been supporting local groups like Equal Rights Washington, GSBA, Gay City, and others. These folks do the heavy lifting, while you try to ration out that showing up for chicken at the Westin is such a grand gesture and just means so much. My advice here is to get off your ass , roll up your sleeves and actually do something for this community that means something, because as is, this thing has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate that it doesn't really mean or do shit.
20
19
You are so full of shit. People who go to the HRC dinner enjoy the evening - enjoy the speeches - enjoy being part of a national org.- enjoy the tux and glitter - so enjoy is a bad thing?
Set aside you bitter and silly tirades. Just go do some work.
What HRC does is no under my control or yours. Give it up. Get positive.
The net, after costs, on the best of those dinners is not even 50,000. Get a clue. The hotel keeps over one hundred for example.
Tired of just whine, whine, whine.
You are so full of shit. People who go to the HRC dinner enjoy the evening - enjoy the speeches - enjoy being part of a national org.- enjoy the tux and glitter - so enjoy is a bad thing?
Set aside you bitter and silly tirades. Just go do some work.
What HRC does is no under my control or yours. Give it up. Get positive.
The net, after costs, on the best of those dinners is not even 50,000. Get a clue. The hotel keeps over one hundred for example.
Tired of just whine, whine, whine.
21
@20 I'm quite sure HRC netted rather more than $50,000 from their local dinner. There were at least 500 people attending at $200 bucks each minimum there's $100K. Minus $50 per plate for the overcooked chicken and gray vegetables and a couple bottles of wine at each table, we've got your initial net of $50K.
Then you need to add in the various local sponsorships - Microsoft, Group Health, Perkins Coie and several others - that's at least another $25K - $50K. But wait, there's also the conspicuous consumption portion of the evening: two silent auctions of donated items that netted at least another $50K. Finally you have the live auction where the glittery faux activists mentioned @19 get to publicly outbid one another in front of their peers for ridiculous items like a table at next year's HRC dinner. That particular prize went for $10,000. So say the live auction brought in another $30,000.
Net on dinner tickets = $50K
Sponsorships (minimum) = $25K
Silent auctions = $50K
Live auction = $30K
---------------------------
Conservative take for the evening = $155,000 minimum.
That's a hell of a lot of money that could be going to Equal Rights Washington, Approve R-71, The Pride Foundation or myriad other LOCAL organizations for important work in Washington State. Aside from their Corporate Survey and the yellow equal sign as an alternative to the rainbow sticker, I can't really think of what use HRC has been other than a drain on gay communities across the country.
HRC is useless.
Then you need to add in the various local sponsorships - Microsoft, Group Health, Perkins Coie and several others - that's at least another $25K - $50K. But wait, there's also the conspicuous consumption portion of the evening: two silent auctions of donated items that netted at least another $50K. Finally you have the live auction where the glittery faux activists mentioned @19 get to publicly outbid one another in front of their peers for ridiculous items like a table at next year's HRC dinner. That particular prize went for $10,000. So say the live auction brought in another $30,000.
Net on dinner tickets = $50K
Sponsorships (minimum) = $25K
Silent auctions = $50K
Live auction = $30K
---------------------------
Conservative take for the evening = $155,000 minimum.
That's a hell of a lot of money that could be going to Equal Rights Washington, Approve R-71, The Pride Foundation or myriad other LOCAL organizations for important work in Washington State. Aside from their Corporate Survey and the yellow equal sign as an alternative to the rainbow sticker, I can't really think of what use HRC has been other than a drain on gay communities across the country.
HRC is useless.
22
I followed the HRC for a while, and was a regular donor for a while. Then I realized that I've never seen them do anything but hold fundraisers, deliver the occasional sound bite, and print bumper stickers. So then I decided to save my checks for organizations that deliver.
24
@20 - maybe those in a idiot gay man drink my face off crowd in this city should focus on the actual work that needs to be done and a little less on the ENJOY. The problem is they've equated the ENJOY with work, which is complete and total bullshit. What douchebag can't come to a big dinner and cry about how much it means for him to roll up his sleeves and write a $200 check? What an emotionally empty moment for people who's feelings have been numbed long ago. Oh but look at the pretty glitter...
25
#18, what are those "nice moves in other areas"? I'm not being snarky, just curious, because I don't see it.
In my world, Obama hasn't fulfilled any of his campaign promises except escalating violence in Afghanistan.
In my world, Obama hasn't fulfilled any of his campaign promises except escalating violence in Afghanistan.
26
@25: Actually, Obama said before the election that he supported a continued military presence in Afghanistan because he felt there were problems there worth dealing with. It was the Iraq War that he was planning on pulling out of, because he saw no reason to be there in the first place.
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