We’re astonished we still have HRC supporters among our ranks, but apparently we do. We know this because one of them sent us a letter they sent in response to Heatherette and Amanda Lepore‘s apperance at the non-profit’s NYC Gala dinner over the weekend.
Here’s just a taste:
I was sadly embarrassed, disappointed, and then angry at the poor presentation of Traver Rains and Richie Rich from Heatherette, and the person who introduced them. The woman who introduced them, I’ve been told, is part of the club scene in NYC…was not well spoken, and very ill-prepared… She could not find her place, her little speech brought the presentation downhill very quickly, and frankly I understood very little of it.
Mr. Rains and Mr. Rich then followed with a garbled acceptance speech that was not organized, confusing, poorly enunciated, and again I felt like I was not privy to the inside joke.
In the company of such formidable political dignitaries, corporate supporters, and an audience of intelligent, monied, and aware people – they were a real embarrassment, and poor representatives for the gay community… I am speaking of their poor use of the english [sic] language, their lack of respect by not being prepared, and their sort of “blow it off” attitude. If they cannot speak cohesively, why don’t they get someone to represent them who presents the image they want – and can speak well – or practice with a coach until they can get it right?
Don’t worry, though, the writer signs off by assuring the reader he and his lover will continue to support HRC unconditionally. Sucker.
We’ve pasted the entire letter after the jump…
How about we take this to the next level?
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Related: There’s Only One Word To Describe This Picture (Redux)
To Whom It May Concern @ HRC –
Dear Sir/Madam:
My partner and I attended the 2007 HRC Gala at the Waldorf-Astoria this year for the second year in a row. We had a wonderful time, and again this year, left with a feeling of pride and inspiration. I would, however, like to comment on a small part of the program that night.
To get right to the point, I was sadly embarrassed, disappointed, and then angry at the poor presentation of Traver Rains and Richie Rich from Heatherette, and the person who introduced them. The woman who introduced them, I’ve been told, is part of the club scene in NYC, and although a glorious eyeful on the stage, she was not well spoken, and very ill-prepared. Her introduction came across as some sort of inside joke. She could not find her place, her little speech brought the presentation downhill very quickly, and frankly I understood very little of it.
Mr. Rains and Mr. Rich then followed with a garbled acceptance speech that was not organized, confusing, poorly enunciated, and again I felt like I was not privy to the inside joke.
In the company of such formidable political dignitaries, corporate supporters, and an audience of intelligent, monied, and aware people – they were a real embarrassment, and poor representatives for the gay community. I am not speaking here of their business sense, their talent, or that they are not deserving of recognition. I am speaking of their poor use of the english language, their lack of respect by not being prepared, and their sort of “blow it off” attitude. If they cannot speak cohesively, why don’t they get someone to represent them who presents the image they want – and can speak well – or practice with a coach until they can get it right?
Thank you for hearing me out. I realize they are our youth, and we need them in the HRC too – but, age is no excuse, there are thousands of youths who are able to express themselves well. I am surprised that no one else has commented on their inabilities.
I continue to be a faithful supporter, and am grateful that you took the time to hear my voice.
audiored
exactly the kind of person i envision when i think of an HRC member.
michael782
I have to say that I agree with the HRC member.
The hipster movement – and I’m a young person living right in the middle of it (hello w-burg!) – needs to get over it’s current self-referencial glorification of 1970s and 1980s trainwreck culture. Richie Rich and Amanda Lepore are nothing new nor are they incredibly interesting, cultured, or avant-guard. No personal offense intended, but they’re just a rehash of the old party that got us nowhere to begin with. I can understand why people would be less than interested.
Lamb Cannon
The hrc may be all these things and more–
but do they accept advertising from ABC-Family on their website?
oh that’s right, this is a “commercial” venture–so it’s okay to take money from homophobe korporate fascists…. sorreeeee
oops, better print some more “annie leibowitz” pictures (another nasty parasitic worm) with warm textured negress titties! that shows RAW CLASS boyz
DNY
First, I love the “[sic]” placement in HRC-er’s complaint about proper English.
Second, he said “If they cannot speak cohesively, why don’t they get someone to represent them who presents the image they want…” — to which I must say: that is the image they want. It is playful & outre`. I’m sure they did feel very “blow it off” to the “audience of intelligent, monied, and aware people.” They are a basically different species, thankfully here to make the world more colorful and interesting. And their overpriced $40 t-shirts will likely sell like hotcakes to the youth who DO appreciate them (though surely did not attend the gala) — with all of the profits going to HRC. Get off your high horse and take the money they generate for this good cause.
Lastly, to the hipster-aged holier-than-thou who said, “Richie Rich and Amanda Lepore are nothing new nor are they incredibly interesting, cultured, or avant-guard [sic]”: is there really a question of whether Amanda is avant-garde? If so, I’d like to meet the people you must know.
Leland
Humankind has always had its freaks; their number simply grows in direct proportion to the attention they get. Lepore, old guard or new, is still nothing more than a freak, a self-mutilating one at that. Yawn.
michael782
DNY: If you think Amanda is leading us someplace interesting, I’d like to know where exactly you think that is. From my point of view, a spectacle is only as interesting as the possibilities it suggests.
As for holier-than-thou: I just love it when people try to defeat the content of an argument using spell check. That really proves a point.
DNY
My initial disgruntlement was towards the HRC-er, mostly for his claim that Amanda was an “embarrassment” in front of a “monied” audience. I lashed at you for agreeing with such a disgusting & classist note from a clueless & seemingly ancient prude.
To answer your question: yes, I do think she’s part of a movement that is leading us somewhere interesting. Here’s nearly 30 pages explaining why I feel this way, if you care to read it:
http://brainwashed.com/daniel/Is_Evolution_Evil.pdf
Grace Morton
The dinner was great. The on-stage performances ran a bit long, but had substance. HX’s Matthew Bank brought his snotty boyfriend who didn’t even have enough respect to wear a tie to a black-tie event. What a slob. Steak was tasty.
michael782
DNY: I didn’t read classism into the HRC-er’s letter. I could see how you might suspect that, but I was reacting more strongly to what I suspected to be smugness on the part of the club kids. I’m not a fan of imagined elitism either.
Also, hipsters are my day to day. Like those HRC-er lawyer and corporate types, they’re generally not as interesting not as charming as they think. And, I don’t usually find them to be making as compelling a statement as those projected on them by the likes of Judith Butler, Esther Newton, and Michael Foucault. I would very much like to be wrong about this. I’d love to find out that Amanda is a brilliant performance artist, and that the club kids have a brilliant new world planned for all of us. I just haven’t seen it – not in my own experience.
On the other hand, I would like to apologize to you. I underestimated the level of thought behind your comments and took them as a flipant swipe. Thanks for posting more info – it’s good to know there are sensitive thinkers out there (again – I often worry that our community lacks that – whether on the political or party side of the spectrum…) I’m always open to being convinced that I’m wrong though.
DNY
To contextualize myself — I’m 25 and live in the East Village.
My point was that this HRC fellow, dining amongst “such formidable political dignitaries” and “corporate supporters,” needs to recognize that not everyone in the world (even the money makers) wears black tie nor would ever fucking “practice with a coach” “to express themselves ” “right.” (I hope he’s reading still & doesn’t mind my subversive paraphrasing…)
michael782–I’m glad you didn’t disregard my essay based on our first impressions. If you’d like to continue this correspondence email me at: ooeeoo at mac dot com. (Sorry if I came off as cocky originally…)
spiffy
The HRC member must not be familiar with Heatherette and their relationship with Amanda L. — they’re artists, not speech & debate club grads, geez.
And it’s a friggin’ T-shirt… What do they want, a dissertation?
Tyler
Youth? Rich and Rains are like 40 and Amanda has got to be around that age, or parts of her do anyway.
LittleBigChris
I can’t believe I’m about to side with whichever tightass gay republican wrote that letter, but here it goes… I was there for the event as well and I’m fucking sick of Heatherette.
Here you are, leftover clubkids who became famous for wearing glitter and roller skates on Geraldo and somehow wound up presenting at the legitamite tents of Fashion Week… GET IT TOGETHER, bitches. Learn to talk. Enough with this bullshit “um, we’re just like, east villagers making clothes or whatever” bravado. It’s an awards gala — stop trying to be the irreverent darlings of the night and start treating the event with just a bit more respect.
mark
HRC = WAR MONGERS. They need to stop endorsing pro-war and republican candidates, and stop wasting money prioritizing marriage as our only fight.
Kamasutra Jones
I so agree with LittleBigChris and the original author of the letter. Heatherette has gone way over their 15 minutes. Go away already!
curtis
i can think of at least 30 people who would better represent the “youth” of the queer community. the only thing they represent is drug use and make up.