I try to stay out of "gay politics". I've already outlined some of the reasons why. One of the prices of that is that you have to run around to catch up on the mud the politicos are slinging at each other and why.
THE INTERNALIZED CONFLICT OF THE G.O.P. TURNS NASTY FOR DEMS AND MODERATES AND GRADUALISTS
I've been going around trying to read gay conservatives and their sidekick boosters. I have to say they read like an angry bunch.
Faced with the hurtful dissonance that their beloved GOP sh-ts on them more than a few, exceptional, gay-friendly Repubs give them "hope", they spill their internalized hatred mostly over onto the Democrats, who they scrutinize and lambaste for failing to carry the torch for them during their own period of ... impotence. For some, they appear to be upset at what amounts to a grave injustice that they have to form a "coalition" with disgustingly misguided liberals, who happen to be gay (in my uncharitable moments, I would say they feel that stronger than injustice over lack of gay acceptance).
THE EMERGENCE OF A BONE-'EM-AND-BAG-'EM PRESS
I've been blissfully unaware of it, but it appears that they have at least one press outlet, the Washington Blade, that is just today (3/13) outing people on the front page (and passing on rumors of who flirted with who at a bar), and since their "logic" for doing so is neither provided editorially nor offered up factually, one has to wonder if their concern isn't just perceived-liberals-who-they-want-to-shove-around. These editor(s) are "accountable" to no one, but themselves; yet, in their mind, they form a part of "The Community" too.
Andrew's "Blog Power", as he preens it, has recently become an apparent cog in the wheel. His flip, poorly formed criticisms of the HRC, subject selectivity, and wandering justifications, including calling the HRC "a scam", suggest more is going on than meets the eye. AS is not elected, appointed, given any obvious standing to convene in inquest, or arguably qualified to evaluate not-for-profits with balance. Last, as he states, he's editorially accountable to just himself.
Finally, one other blogger, while elevating a bunch of loosely formed and potentially easily addressed problems to the level of a "debate", is seeking to have the general press come in and carry the "swiftboat" message right along - you know, get some free publicity and all that.
With the exception of Patrick Guerriero, not one of the people I've seen or read (and there is much more to go) seem to have much sensitivity that their caustic goading, strategic divisiveness, and self-preening questioning might actually hurt the reputation and brand image of some of the organizations, and thereby impede gay rights progress in general. Not one.
SIZING UP THE HRC
No organization is without its faults and none should be without means of redress. In almost every situation, people choose between one that they think isn't quite as bad as the others. Today, there are probably dozens, if not hundreds, of gay-related organizations and causes to give to, if one doesn't like the older, established organizations.
The focus then turns on whether people can make a choice. I've been slowly working through various gay organizations.
The Human Rights Campaign is arguably one of the most transparent and formally well-organized gay organizations.
The HRC's board structure is superior to that of other organizations that Andrew endorses (without setting his staff to do the research on them?). The HRC publish a long and reasonably detailed history of the organization. They have a full page of information and contacts for various staff. They publish an annual report, which includes financial information and at least some review and prospect, and they post it on their website. I'm still analyzing them fully, but I haven't seen any obvious dodges on their 990s, which are lengthy compared to others.
Also in terms of transparency, they provide the IRS's form 990 on their website. With the exception of the SLDN and GLSEN, I have not found ANY other gay-rights organization that does the same, including Empire State Pride Agenda, GLAAD, NGLTF, Freedom to Marry NY, Freedom to Marry Boston, Horizons Foundation, The Gill Foundation, Lamda Legal, but also including the ACLU, the NAACP. (list current as of 3/11/07)
THE END OF THE GAY COALITION
At this early stage of review, I would have to say that, although a nasty split in the gay coalition could greatly weaken the effort for gay rights in the near term, it appears inevitable. In the longer-term, it may produce a win-win for gays, especially those who don't give a damn about which group of gay politicos is "really" bringing home the bacon, so to speak.
It may be better to just take the bull by the horns and do it. If Tim Gill is, as AS and at least one other suggest, the "antidote", then he's got the money to fund the Log Cabins right up to $200,000/yr for their own champion, who was making only circa $74K. He has more money than HRC does - more than $100 Million more - and maybe a combo of a well-timed swiftboating and aquiecences from his three or four member board will do it.
Do it rather than try to continue to accommodate those who have frequently caustic criticism and no strategy to offer except throwing themselves at windmills, viz:
But let's get real. Gay marriage? In this country? Now? You better think twice about that.
America isn't ready for it. The polls show a backlash from the big pink wave that splashed over the country this summer. In fact, if you don't watch it, conservatives may succeed in amending the Constitution to ban gay marriages once and for all. Remember that's what happened in Hawaii and Alaska a few years ago.
You're better off winning victories incrementally. Focus on employment discrimination and hate crimes. The polling numbers are better and the visceral hostility from the public is not nearly so great.
That's the advice gay rights activists are getting these days from many gay-friendly public officials, and from gay contributors and activists as well.
Well, it's hogwash. And any leader of any gay rights organization who is not prepared to throw the bulk of their efforts right now into the fight for marriage is squandering resources and doesn't deserve the position. That's right; if they're not ready to make their top priority the freedom to marry, then they ought to resign today.
- Visible Gay Writer/Publisher, written 2003, before before backlash created more anti-gay legislation since ... sodomy laws were passed? ... !
or have some bizarre notion that they are "owed" something by Democrats for their stewardship of politically impotent GOP hipsters, viz:
For those who expect more in exchange for gays’ loyalty to the Democrats, here is a point system for grading them. – Dale Carpenter, February, 2007 link
link: Bootstrapping Andrew Sullivan
