Has the HRC said its OK to wait on Don’t Ask- Don’t Tell?
Today on the Daily Beast, writer Jason Bellini revealed that “gay leaders” here in Washington DC have possibly made a deal not to push the repeal of Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell until sometime next year.
Bellini says that the HRC wants to focus on a federal hate crimes bill and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) first…. And let Obama and Congress off the hook on DADT for now…
DADT has become our community’s litmus test for this administration with regard to how well it will keep its promises to the LGBT population and if this is true, the folks at the HRC need to get in touch and reconnect with the desires of their community’s grass roots…
But just to get our “gay leaders” attention…. maybe it is time we in the grassroots LGBT community stop sending the money that pays the rent on that nice shiny HRC office in Dupont Circle and those 6 figure executive salaries of theirs till they do….
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Just to clarify a couple of points. The HRC building is funded separately from the operating budget–money donated from fundraising events and internet solicitations does NOT go to the upkeep or funding of the building. HRC only uses 3 of the buildings floors; the rest of the building is rented to other progressive organizations at very favorable rents which allows them to have a presence in DC.
If a deal is a “possibility,” why is it being reported as news? Furthermore, HRC doesn’t set the agenda of the President nor of Congress. If DADT is delayed, it’s more likely due to the unexpected Senate confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court vacancy.
In the interests of full disclosure, I am a volunteer for HRC (the only paid staff is in DC). And their salaries are very much in line with other LGBT organizations; the staff would make much better salaries with other organizations.
Bob Mason,
Actually, this kind of deal is common among lobby organizations. Sometimes they don’t push for something while pushing for something else, or take a delay for other consideration. It would be better if the HRC was really representing the ‘base’ right now. The reality is that the HRC is woefully out of touch with the current majority thinking in the LGBTI community.
Or maybe DADT is delayed because the creek is high… or it is raining… or the traffic is bad on the Circle…. or just maybe it it delayed because the HRC has the presidents ear and has said… our people will wait….
If that is the case i hope they get good rent from those tenants because they will not be getting any money from me….
So wait…HRC is trying to pass ENDA? A non-inclusive ENDA…. HRC ≠ equality and now they are wheeling and dealing with DADT… I will never donate a dime to them
Since when does strategy not include timing?
Not a big surprise, the HRC has always seemed more concerned with its 24/7 fundraising and its new HQ in Washington than anything we actually care about. Where were they on prop 8? Oh, that’s right, scheduling “fabulous” parties in DC. At some point we will realize that we have all been duped, and figure out how to get real representation in Washington.
Scott,
Too late on that last sentence, some of us already have figured that out.