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…John McCain’s answers to those well written questions do nothing but insult the intelligence of the LGBT community. Senator McCain’s double speak fools no one. At the end of the day, his policies haven’t changed at all. Well, maybe some of those masochist queens are, but you know… |
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HRC, LCR and NSD, Oh My!
A website called Boycott HRC last week reported that a "reliable source" told them HRC had donated $10,000 to the LCR, while giving none to the National Stonewall Democrats. TransAdvocate, meanwhile, published an email purportedly sent from NSD co-chair Steve Driscoll to executive director Jon Hoadley, among others. In this email, Driscoll derides HRC for their "high-handedness" at the 2004 Democratic National Convention and gripes that the organization had been stonewalling discussions on a possible 2008 collaboration. |
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We were mad, of course, and then Chris Crain piped up, and now Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese has come out swinging: John McCain claims to be a maverick who breaks with his party, but on matters of LGBT equality, he's shown that he's anything but. He actively campaigned for a constitutional amendment that would have banned marriage and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples in his home state of Arizona. On another note, if Solmonese and Log Cabin leader Patrick Sammon were to get into a fight, who would win? |
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In addition to releasing a gay pride message yesterday, the Senator’s campaign last night organized an impromptu conference call for about 1200 Democratic supporters. While ostensibly meant to inform the Democratic candidate’s constituents, the call served another, far more important purpose: rallying Senator Hillary Clinton’s supporters. In fact, the former contender’s name arose within seconds of the call’s commencement, when Obama's deputy campaign manager Steve Hildebrand began, “It is a very important time for our country, our party, for Senator Obama and Senator Clinton.” |
» Good Fight.
Human Rights Campaign's getting in on the gay marriage action by pledging $500,000 to fight right wing attempts to ban same-sex nuptials in the Golden State. Said president Joe Solmonese, "With the $500,000 commitment to Equality for All today, HRC aims to ensure that California remains a state where every person has the opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams by being able to marry the person they love." [HRC] |
» A Little Late?
"Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese met with a handful of transgender activists in Atlanta last week and apologized for “misspeaking” at last year’s Southern Comfort conference, where he promised HRC would only support an Employment Non-Discrimination Act that included gender identity, according to people attending the meeting… HRC supports including gender identity in ENDA, but urged Congress members to vote in favor of [Barney] Frank’s sexual orientation-only bill as an incremental strategy." [SoVo] |
» Holy Rollers!
Human Rights Campaign just announced Clergy Call 2009, an interfaith effort to raise queer awareness among the pious folk. Here's what president Joe Solmonese had to say about the event, “America’s clergy are transforming our nation one congregation at a time and making it easier for Members of Congress to stand for equality. These trainings will encourage participants to take their conversations to the next level and work for change in the public sphere.” Those of you interested in salvation should sign up and feel the spirit [HRC] |
» Backing.
Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese yesterday released a list of 14 Senatorial candidates whom they're backing. It's worth noting that HRC did not endorse North Carolina-based homo-politico Jim Neal, who's hoping to get the Democratic nomination over Kay Hagan, a veteran politician. HRC apparently doesn't know which way to lean, so they're just sitting on their haunches. They wouldn't want to rock the boat, of course… [NY Blade] |
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Who represents the LGBT community on a national and international stage? That's kind of real - except for the Elton John request. That's just ridiculous. |
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Also in this issue, Michael Musto offers a follow-up to last year's The Glass Closet, which called out people like Jodie Foster and Anderson Cooper for not coming out. This year's essay, Shattered Glass, examines the parameters of coming out. Sure, Jodie Foster intimated at her lesbianic ways, but does it matter if she's not willing to talk to the fag rags. It's the eternal question: If a gay comes out, but doesn't follow up, does anything change? |
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Well, that debate rages on and this year Solmonese knows not to make promises he can't keep. Nor does he want people to think HRC's omnipotent, telling Ohio's Gay People's Chronicle that much of ENDA's future depends largely on our elected officials, including the president. Solmonese also insists that he and his HRC homies want nothing less than a fully inclusive ENDA, but maintain that incrementalism is the best way to go: We have always been committed to the transgender-inclusive ENDA. The differences are in how best to get there. Yes, but will this year play out on HRC's conciliatory terms or those of the stridently trans-inclusion United ENDA opposition? We all know the answer to that one. |
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Human Rights Campaign offers itself some hopeful congratulations in this new video, "2008: A Year To Win." While certainly the group has done necessary work, even the George Michael scored montage doesn't convince us that they'll make good on all their promises. But maybe we're just cynical. Or maybe we're still traumatized by ENDA. |
» Joe Gets 'No'
Karen Ocamb attended last weekend's HRC Awards in Los Angeles and she didn't like what she saw, heard, smelled and probably ate. And she's especially displeased with HRC honcho Joe Solmonese. [Bilerico] |
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Meanwhile, George Takei's sudden case of permasmile left guests wondering about his acting future, to which Takei replied, "I guess I'll just have to be type cast: gay!" Project Runway winner Christian Siriano seemed the gayest to be there. Speaking of smile happy PR alums, why did WireImage credit designer Nick Verreos as an "actor". Even more importantly: what would Shakespeare say about reality shows? HRC also wrangled wild woman Judith Light for last night's Ally Awards. The Ugly Betty actress seemed randy as ever and got rather cozy with Point Foundation's Jorge Valencia. Hot new couple alert? Speaking of hot couple - check out Ricki Lake's diamond earrings. We're not crying, baby! Old friend and Ally honoree Anne Hathaway loomed large over HRC honcho, Joe Solmonese, who later gave Miss California Raquel Beezley a bit of a squeeze at the actual ceremony. Do we smell another political sex scandal? The always handsome John Amaechi also joined the fun and Thea Gill flaunted her seamless skin. And, of course, it wouldn't be a gay event until Wilson Cruz starts the so-called party. Thus it was done… See the pictures - in that order - after the jump… |
» Anti-Award For HRC
There's no pride in this one: "…[HRC and Joe Solmonese have] been nominated for San Francisco Pride's Pink Brick award – an award meant to recognize groups and individuals who've run afoul of the community or pushed for antigay measures." ENDA casts a long shadow, huh? [BAR] |