Another Ranty Rant About the HRC
The HRC has decided it will not oppose the two bill ENDA strategy.
From their press release:
"Therefore, we are not able to support, nor will we encourage Members of Congress to vote against, the newly introduced sexual orientation only bill."
It is interesting to note that the part in bold has been removed from the statement posted on their site, despite being included in press releases.
I'm done with HRC. Actually, I was done long ago but felt I should give them a second chance. I believe in second chances in most cases, and felt that the HRC was finally showing some cojones and standing up for what is right instead of what they find convenient. And, as usual, they sent the transfolk packing.
Another interesting piece of the back story is the polling HRC did in 2002 and their subsequent "championing" of trans causes. They found that 68% of Americans felt trans people should have protections from discrimination- a higher percentage than those who felt gay and lesbian people should receive protection under the law.
Many of the people polled cited that being gay is a choice, whereas being trans isn't; that being trans means you're "born in the wrong body." Personally, I hate this train of thought but that's a whole other ball of wax.
In other news, Donna Rose (an HRC board member) said on her blog on September 29, 2007:
"Although I don't blame them for causing the current situation, I am tremendously disappointed in HRC for refusing to speak out loudly and publicly, along with the other coalition partners, in OPPOSING this wrong-minded strategy and these bills. The credibility and integrity of the organization is at stake, and I cannot and will not defend them on this in any way, shape, or form. I am disappointed in the lack of decisive direction being shown by the board leadership. I am disappointed by the delay by to board to meet to discuss this. And I am incredibly sad to see all the hard work of building bridges and repairing relationships with HRC become tatters and shreds. This isn't just business - for me, it's personal.
I am angry at HRC leadership for what I can't help but perceive as lying and deceiving, for betraying my trust, and for putting me in this position. Damage has been done and continues to be done that cannot be repaired. What happens next is, at best, too little too late. At a time when I should be celebrating the historic passage of Hate Crimes on Thursday, and the amazing work of the Out and Equal Workplace Summit, I'm consumed by feelings of betrayal and disappointment. The conspirist in me feels that I've been played, that this has been in the works for a long time, that people and organizations with a vested interest in passing ENDA at any cost believe that there will be some unhappiness but that it will be short-lived if and when ENDA passes (without trans inclusion). However, the idealist in me cares too much to give up. For now."
Some say that many of us are jumping the gun in pointing fingers and they are afraid we may put up a wall between the GLB and T communities. But my issue isn't with the GLB community. The NGLTF, PFLAG, TYFA, Stonewall Democrats, Lambda Legal and all the others who signed a letter of protest have my full support (and you can see a full list of supporting organizations here).
It's not about whether they include the T in every piece of literature (however minutely), it's about whether or not they are willing to back up their words with action. These organizations have proven to the trans community that they can be trusted. HRC has proven that their promises are nothing but empty words when push comes to shove. And, unbelievably, they're trying to take credit for the work that all those organizations did in changing the direction of Congress:
"Some may say we should have joined the growing chorus of public dissenters earlier. We believed, and still do, that the correct course of action was to continue dialogue with our allies on the Hill and work to the last minute to effect change,” said Solmonese. “That decision, in addition to yesterday’s letter signed by GLBT and civil rights organizations, paid off when we were able to engage in direct conversations that resulted in a guarantee from House leadership to postpone the mark-up until later this month.”
I'll be returning my "Coming Out Day" packet to the HRC with a letter explaining why I will not support their organization or offer them as a resource to the youth I work with. The future GLBT voters and leaders of this country need strong role models in the community, and I will happily refer them to the NGLTF/Lambda Legal/etc. to see how *true* leaders behave.
From their press release:
"Therefore, we are not able to support, nor will we encourage Members of Congress to vote against, the newly introduced sexual orientation only bill."
It is interesting to note that the part in bold has been removed from the statement posted on their site, despite being included in press releases.
I'm done with HRC. Actually, I was done long ago but felt I should give them a second chance. I believe in second chances in most cases, and felt that the HRC was finally showing some cojones and standing up for what is right instead of what they find convenient. And, as usual, they sent the transfolk packing.
Another interesting piece of the back story is the polling HRC did in 2002 and their subsequent "championing" of trans causes. They found that 68% of Americans felt trans people should have protections from discrimination- a higher percentage than those who felt gay and lesbian people should receive protection under the law.
Many of the people polled cited that being gay is a choice, whereas being trans isn't; that being trans means you're "born in the wrong body." Personally, I hate this train of thought but that's a whole other ball of wax.
In other news, Donna Rose (an HRC board member) said on her blog on September 29, 2007:
"Although I don't blame them for causing the current situation, I am tremendously disappointed in HRC for refusing to speak out loudly and publicly, along with the other coalition partners, in OPPOSING this wrong-minded strategy and these bills. The credibility and integrity of the organization is at stake, and I cannot and will not defend them on this in any way, shape, or form. I am disappointed in the lack of decisive direction being shown by the board leadership. I am disappointed by the delay by to board to meet to discuss this. And I am incredibly sad to see all the hard work of building bridges and repairing relationships with HRC become tatters and shreds. This isn't just business - for me, it's personal.
I am angry at HRC leadership for what I can't help but perceive as lying and deceiving, for betraying my trust, and for putting me in this position. Damage has been done and continues to be done that cannot be repaired. What happens next is, at best, too little too late. At a time when I should be celebrating the historic passage of Hate Crimes on Thursday, and the amazing work of the Out and Equal Workplace Summit, I'm consumed by feelings of betrayal and disappointment. The conspirist in me feels that I've been played, that this has been in the works for a long time, that people and organizations with a vested interest in passing ENDA at any cost believe that there will be some unhappiness but that it will be short-lived if and when ENDA passes (without trans inclusion). However, the idealist in me cares too much to give up. For now."
Some say that many of us are jumping the gun in pointing fingers and they are afraid we may put up a wall between the GLB and T communities. But my issue isn't with the GLB community. The NGLTF, PFLAG, TYFA, Stonewall Democrats, Lambda Legal and all the others who signed a letter of protest have my full support (and you can see a full list of supporting organizations here).
It's not about whether they include the T in every piece of literature (however minutely), it's about whether or not they are willing to back up their words with action. These organizations have proven to the trans community that they can be trusted. HRC has proven that their promises are nothing but empty words when push comes to shove. And, unbelievably, they're trying to take credit for the work that all those organizations did in changing the direction of Congress:
"Some may say we should have joined the growing chorus of public dissenters earlier. We believed, and still do, that the correct course of action was to continue dialogue with our allies on the Hill and work to the last minute to effect change,” said Solmonese. “That decision, in addition to yesterday’s letter signed by GLBT and civil rights organizations, paid off when we were able to engage in direct conversations that resulted in a guarantee from House leadership to postpone the mark-up until later this month.”
I'll be returning my "Coming Out Day" packet to the HRC with a letter explaining why I will not support their organization or offer them as a resource to the youth I work with. The future GLBT voters and leaders of this country need strong role models in the community, and I will happily refer them to the NGLTF/Lambda Legal/etc. to see how *true* leaders behave.