… Or Can A Leopard Change Its Spots?
I had to learn the hard way, I didn’t listen to my peers, and I got stabbed in the back.
What am I talking about?
Why the HRC of course or the Human Rights Campaign.
On November 20th when we remember our dead it is mostly a white audience remembering people of color who gave up their lives so that they could be their trueselves.
Back to the HRC, there is a nickname that many in the trans community has given them… “Gay Inc.”
The might be trying to change their spots but their main donors are rich white gay men and for their donations most of them want a return on their investment, and for along time it was the golden ring of marriage.
Back in 2007 I was a newbie that was just stepping out into the world and I went do to Washington DC to lobby for the gender inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). After decades of of non-trans inclusive ENDAs a proposed bill included us for the first.
Where we had the training for the lobby day was at the HRC headquarters, that day in May everything was lovey dovey and we sang Kumbaya together. The head of the HRC came out and told us that they will only support the trans inclusive ENDA.
A trans man friend told to watch out they will stab you in the back the first time it doesn’t go their way.
At the Southern Comfort conference in September the HRC president Joe Solmonese gave a speech before 800 trans people…
My friend told me watch out!
In late September, Rep. Barney Frank pulls the inclusive ENDA bill and substitutes a non-inclusive ENDA bill, Joe Solmones says the HRC will would not oppose or endorse the non-inclusive bill.
In late October the HRC says they will support non-inclusive bill, but will not penalize any congressperson who votes against the non-inclusive bill.
In November HRC, says they will penalize any congressperson who votes against the non-inclusive bill.
When the vote came up in the House six U.S. Representatives vote against the non-inclusive bill and they lost their 100% rating on LGBT issues from the HRC.
That knife scare in my back still hurts on days when I hear that the HRC is working for trans rights. I wonder if they will drop us like a hot potato if thing don’t go their way and they think that they can get what Gay Inc. wants if they throw us under the bus.
Yes, they have hired some trans people, yes they have hired some black women… but will they end up with bus tire tracks across their backs like we did back in 2007.
I had to learn the hard way, I didn’t listen to my peers, and I got stabbed in the back.
What am I talking about?
Why the HRC of course or the Human Rights Campaign.
Human Rights Campaign hasn't always defended LGBTQ people of color — we're changing thatThis is a step in the right direction, but…
I know what it is like to be both black and gay in America. For too long, LGBTQ people of color have been marginalized in our fight for justice.
USA Today Opinion
By Alphonso David,
September 26, 2019
Four hundred years after the first African slaves were brought to the shores of North America, we still have a responsibility to confront — honestly and without qualification — the painful truth that the United States continues to oppress people of color on the basis of race.
At this juncture in our history and in our ongoing struggle to realize America’s promise of equality and justice for all, we must confront this fact with unambiguous moral clarity and make intentional commitments to act as individuals, organizations and institutions.
For me, this is deeply personal.
A few weeks ago, I became the first person of color to lead the Human Rights Campaign, the world’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people.
The truth is that LGBTQ people of color have long been marginalized within our community — and by our organization. They have seen their contributions to our collective history diminished or forgotten, and their needs and priorities sidelined. While we have fought and won important battles on issues including marriage equality, we have historically failed to also engage in consistent and meaningful work to address the impact of racial inequality on LGBTQ people across all aspects of their lives — including on issues such as voter suppression, health and economic disparities, and violence. It is our responsibility to make that right and to demonstrate our commitment every day.Those of us who have been around for a long time knows that this is true for all LGBTQ+ organizations including here in Connecticut and it is not just the LGBTQ+ organizations but also the trans organizations. Go to any support group and it is all most all white trans people.
On November 20th when we remember our dead it is mostly a white audience remembering people of color who gave up their lives so that they could be their trueselves.
Back to the HRC, there is a nickname that many in the trans community has given them… “Gay Inc.”
The might be trying to change their spots but their main donors are rich white gay men and for their donations most of them want a return on their investment, and for along time it was the golden ring of marriage.
Back in 2007 I was a newbie that was just stepping out into the world and I went do to Washington DC to lobby for the gender inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). After decades of of non-trans inclusive ENDAs a proposed bill included us for the first.
Where we had the training for the lobby day was at the HRC headquarters, that day in May everything was lovey dovey and we sang Kumbaya together. The head of the HRC came out and told us that they will only support the trans inclusive ENDA.
A trans man friend told to watch out they will stab you in the back the first time it doesn’t go their way.
At the Southern Comfort conference in September the HRC president Joe Solmonese gave a speech before 800 trans people…
My friend told me watch out!
In late September, Rep. Barney Frank pulls the inclusive ENDA bill and substitutes a non-inclusive ENDA bill, Joe Solmones says the HRC will would not oppose or endorse the non-inclusive bill.
In late October the HRC says they will support non-inclusive bill, but will not penalize any congressperson who votes against the non-inclusive bill.
In November HRC, says they will penalize any congressperson who votes against the non-inclusive bill.
When the vote came up in the House six U.S. Representatives vote against the non-inclusive bill and they lost their 100% rating on LGBT issues from the HRC.
That knife scare in my back still hurts on days when I hear that the HRC is working for trans rights. I wonder if they will drop us like a hot potato if thing don’t go their way and they think that they can get what Gay Inc. wants if they throw us under the bus.
Yes, they have hired some trans people, yes they have hired some black women… but will they end up with bus tire tracks across their backs like we did back in 2007.
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