Aww, so the Human Rights Campaign is going to let little old Trevor Project have some of its Harvey Milk store space. Set to open tomorrow at 575 Castro Street, the glorified HRC merchandise outpost (ahem, “and action center”) will share some of its square footage with the national LGBT suicide prevention line, though Trevor “will not offer direct services out of the space,” the Bar Area Reporter notes, adding, “HRC is offering use of the space rent-free to the Trevor Project and will also donate $10,000 annually to the nonprofit during the duration of its lease at the site. The LGBT rights group is also paying for the build out of the offices in the space where Trevor Project volunteers will be able to man phone lines.”
After enraging institutional gays with last month’s announcement it was taking over the Castro Camera storefront, HRC felt the heat from Dustin Lance Black (“to try and co-opt and profit from Harvey’s legacy is an outrage”) and Cleve Jones (“I think Harvey would be appalled by this. I resent it, I find it offensive, and I intend to do everything I can to stop it”). This compromise has been weeks in the making, Queerty has been hearing, with Jones meeting with HRC leaders in San Francisco to hammer out a resolution. And while HRC plans on donating the proceeds (all? a share?) of Harvey Milk-related merchandise to the nearby Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy and GLBT Historical Society, note that there will be no Milk merch available during tomorrow’s opening. A production delay, I’m sure.
So are we all good now? Does HRC get to co-opt Milk’s legacy to sell some HRC-branded teddy bears and coffee mugs so long as it lets the much-beloved Trevor Project some chairs and desks? Officially, of course, both groups are pleased with the arrangement, releasing statements about being “honored” (HRC) and “grateful” (Trevor).
[bottom photo: Rick Gerharter via BAR]
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GetBalance
Impressive.
adman
OMG, a gay coalition! Just when we were conforming to conservative stereotypes of us and ripping into each other. Who knew? Donate to Trevor Project, (I know, like you need to hear that these days)since we know where we’re bleeding the worst.
David
The HRC are a worthless and ridiculous group.
They should donate ALL the proceeds of this shop to the Trevor Project.
Fitz
HRC is WORSE than worthless and ridiculous.
It’s such an affront to the neighborhood, to Harvey, to anyone who believes in fighting for gay rights.
I’m ashamed to say it, but I really hope that they get heavily vandalized. I don’t have the balls to do it, but I sure wont be helping them when it happens, either. I walk past there 5 or 6 days a week, and I wouldn’t stand to witness anyone who did anything to the store front.
Josh
I am seriously so disappointed in everyone who bashes HRC, especially by HOPING they get vandalized. What the hell kind of message does that send to the gay (and straight) youth? People can disagree with how an organization is run, but no one can deny that the type of ridicule and harassment that HRC faces from within its own community is almost on the same level as the bullying that we are all trying so hard to eradicate.
Nick
I think for many of us who have lived in the neighborhood since the ’70’s, it’s hard to see change. That HRC is mostly in the business of guilt tripping people into giving them money, so HRC can have fabulous parties with “A” List Gays.
justiceontherocks
@Josh: Maybe if HRC would accomplish something instead of taking credit for other people’s work at cocktail parties people would go easier on them. In the meantime, possible donors are entitled to know that their money is being wasted.
AndrewW
Thankfully, they didn’t give space to GetEqual.
The Trevor Project is an effective organization.
cls
I’d go one better. The should turn the shop over to Trevor Project and allow them to run it and keep all the proceeds while HRC pays the rent. HRC has put the interests of partisan politicians ahead of the gay community. They have no credibility left.