New Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin discusses the Harassment of LGBT Teens - WATCH

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Chad Griffin is the new HRC President

Chad Griffin, the founding Board Member of the American Foundation for Equal Rights will be the new president of HRC.

From the Press Release (this was emailed to me)

“I cannot think of anyone better to take the helm of the Human Rights Campaign than my dear friend and colleague Chad Griffin,” said AFER lead co-counsel Theodore B. Olson. “There is no one more passionate, more resourceful or more effective than Chad. His brilliant and visionary leadership makes me confident that one day, very soon, every American will be treated equally under the law. HRC is extraordinarily lucky to have him.”


“Time after time over the past several years, Chad has proven that he is easily one of the most skilled strategists and tacticians in American politics today,” said AFER lead co-counsel David Boies. “That is a rare combination of skill sets for one person to have. His diplomacy, his intellect and his passion for issues of equality are second to none. I cannot think of a better person to lead HRC into the future.”


“The federal constitutional challenge to Proposition 8, Perry v. Brown, would never have happened without the vision and tenacity of my dear friend Chad Griffin,” said AFER Founding Board Member Rob Reiner. “His incomparable leadership has brought us one step closer toward completing America’s last great civil rights struggle. My congratulations go out to Chad on this great honor and to the Human Rights Campaign for picking a brilliant leader as its next president.”


“Chad is a visionary leader who not only dreams the impossible, but also accomplishes it,” said AFER Executive Director Adam Umhoefer. “His bold determination to challenge Proposition 8 in federal court combined with his ability to transcend partisan and ideological boundaries have forever changed the way the nation thinks about equality for LGBT Americans. There is no better person than Chad Griffin to lead the Human Rights Campaign and their millions of supporters.” 

 Good luck, Chad

What Happened During the Prop 8 Hearing Today?

This morning, the California Supreme Court heard both sides of the Prop 8 case. A lot was said, so I will give y'all a couple of links to read for yourselves. But I do have a quick wrap quote up from AFER Board President Chad Griffin and Ted Olson:

“This morning’s hearing before the California Supreme Court marks a seminal moment in our Plaintiffs’ case. Today, we have moved one important step closer to marriage equality for all gay and lesbian couples across California. Proposition 8 is hanging by a thread and soon the historic federal court decision that ruled Prop. 8 unconstitutional will be realized.”

AFER-associated attorney arguing on behalf of plaintiffs in Perry v. Schwarzenegger Ted Olson had this to say about today's hearing:

“There is ample authority that individuals do not have a right to defend a law unless they would suffer a direct and immediate harm from its invalidation. The proponents of Proposition 8 will not suffer any harm from a decision that grants gay and lesbian Californians their fundamental civil right to marry. It is the Attorney General who has the exclusive authority to make litigation decisions on behalf of the State, and here the Attorney General has made the sound decision that the discriminatory provisions of Proposition 8 do not warrant defense on appeal. Proponents cannot second-guess that exercise of discretion.”

The CA Supreme Court justices now have 90 days to deliver a verdict.

 More to come.

source and source 2