Protest Duplicitous #HRC#

From Jon Winkleman of Radical Homosexual Agenda in NYC. Sadly, this confirms something we’ve known about HRC for a long time and which underscores the need to resist the corporatization of queer struggles:

As you know HRC lied to it’s members, donors, the transgender community and other LGBT organizations who overwhelmingly supported the trans-inclusive ENDA or no ENDA at all. What’s worse is at THE BEGINNING of the debate, HRC told committee members that if they voted AGAINST the inclusive version of ENDA but only supported the sexual orientation only ENDA they would get a free pass and it wouldn’t reflect on their legislative scorecard. Not only did HRC lie to the LGBT community and press by claiming they were fighting to keep ENDA inclusive while they had been quietly telling congress-members and staff to just vote for the non-inclusive bill since Sept, but last week they threatened a handful of brave Democrats who were going to vote against the version of ENDA that came to the floor unless transgender protection was restored. Now since we know Bush was going to veto whichever version was passed, this action would not delay ENDA being signed into law. HRC is now going to give a black mark on the 7 brave congress people, 4 from NY Clarke, Nadler, Weiner & Vasquez, for doing HRC’s job by raising the bar on equality.

PROTEST in Sheridan Square November 20th at 6:00 PM on the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Aside from paying homage to Sylvia Rivera and Marsha Johnson, two transgender veterans of the Stonewall Riots, HRC is having a Women’s Networking event at the Stonewall Bar across the street. We will also be protesting HRC and demanding,

1) the 7 Congress people who voted against ENDA to raise the bar on Equality should get the highest score possible for their vote.
2) HRC set a goal of 10% transgender representation for it’s national board and all local steering committees.
3) HRC Executive Director Joe Solomnese MUST RESIGN!

Solomnese has lied to the community and the straight and LGBT press. He has been duplicitous. He has intentionally undermined the efforts of the majority of LGBT organizations working on ENDA. Joe Solomnese no longer has any credibility as a leader in the LGBT Community to represent our needs. He is no longer a trustworthy person we can look to as a leader. Joe Solomnese must resign from HRC.

Jon Winkleman
jonwinkleman at mac.com
917 687 8492