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

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NOM wants a Federal Investigation of the HRC and the IRS

Continuing their case for losing battles, NOM now wants a federal investigation of the HRC and the IRS for their "leak" tax info.

Here's Brian Brown whining on their website:

"It appears that someone with either the IRS or the HRC may have committed a federal crime by illegally obtaining and then releasing a confidential tax return of the National Organization for Marriage," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "It's clear that the tax return was stolen, either from NOM or from the government. The Huffington Post article says that HRC claimed they received the document from a ‘whistleblower.' But the term ‘whistleblower' is completely inapt. We're talking about a criminal who has stolen confidential tax return information. We demand to know who this criminal is, whether they work for the HRC or the IRS, and how they obtained confidential tax information filed only with the US government."

It is illegal for a government official or employee to make use of or publicly release a taxpayer's tax return. The form 990 Schedule B is submitted by nonprofit groups to the IRS and includes information on donor identity, including name, address and contribution amount. While federal law requires that nonprofit groups make their form 990 filings available for public inspection, the law provides that Schedule B information—the name and address of the contributor—is redacted, leaving only the amount given and the date of the donation as publicly-available information. Here, the un-redacted Schedule B was somehow obtained by the HRC. That information could only have come from the IRS itself, or have been stolen from NOM.

"I would like to know what the HRC knew and when did they know it," Brown said. "It certainly appears that either the HRC was involved in illegally obtaining this tax return themselves, or they worked with a criminal who stole it from NOM or the IRS. Either way, it appears that a federal crime may have been committed."

Child, please! Y'all are busted, get over it.

You ain't slick, Mittens! Romney secretly donated funds to NOM

The HRC has discovered that Mitt Romney secretly donated funds to NOM for Prop 8. But here's the thing, this bastard did it under a Super PAC in Alabama.

The story broke on HuffPo

In 2008, Mitt Romney's political action committee made a $10,000 donation to the National Organization of Marriage at a time when the anti-gay rights organization was seeking repeal of a California law legalizing marriage equality.

While neither the donation nor Romney's opposition to same-sex marriage were a secret, the precise way in which he contributed to NOM remained under tight wraps until Friday. One of the only public comments on the matter came when the former Massachusetts governor's top spokesman, Eric Fehrnstrom, told the Deseret News that Romney supported California's Proposition 8, which would reverse the state law allowing for same-sex marriage, and that he would be writing a check to NOM.

"The governor feels strongly that marriage is an institution between a man and a woman, and one of the most high-profile fights on this subject is happening in California," Fehrnstrom said at the time.

But when Romney eventually made his donation, he did so quietly, and through an unusual channel. Records filed by Romney's Free and Strong America PAC with the Federal Election Commission did not include details of that $10,000 donation.

And he thought no one would know. Real cute, Romney.

Pics from the GetEqual Protest against HRC & Goldman Sachs in Los Angeles

With my broke back, I went downtown to watch the GetEqual protest. They were after the HRC for their collaboration with Goldman Sachs.

There were many messages during the rally, but one was consistent. They wanted Full Federal Equality. I asked a few of them what does that mean? I was told that we must fight the rights of all LGBT folks. Gay marriage is only a piece of the battle and it's not enough.

That stuck with me, because I've always believed that. This recent "evolve already" mess is nothing. We should fight for all issues within our community. I have to say I was moved by this protest.

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

READ: The HRC President Job Description

If you think you got what it takes, check it out and apply
Job Description President HRC

HRC: Who Will Lead Them?

As most of you know, the HRC will be looking for a new president of their organization. They have until March of 2012 to do this, so you know the search will be interesting.

But as the search begins, I wanted to give my 45 cents on what I think they will and won't look for.

• WILL: Someone who can raise money. The HRC is known for their fundraisers. This person will need to know where and who to use to keep the money flowing.


• WON'T: Someone with a personal agenda. This person will have to remember that it's not about them. They have a job to do for the public.


• WILL: Someone who's political savvy. This person will have to be on the good side of politicians. They don't have to kiss their asses, but they will need to know how the work it in the White House and other places.


• WON'T: Someone who's a 'Johnny One Note'. They can't be fixated on one particular issue, they have to look a the bigger picture and weight out what's doable and what's needing back-up.


• WILL: Someone who's realistic. My biggest problem with progressives is their lack of big picture vision. This president has to be realistic and transparent with the decision making process.


• WON'T: Someone who's not ready for prime time. As I said in other posts, you can't expect grassroot philosophies to work in a political setting. They can shape deals and measures, but it has to be made to hit multiple pieces of the issue.


• WILL: Someone who's likeable.


• WON'T: Someone who's just too much.


• WILL: Someone with a strong organizing background and solid leadership skills.


• WON'T: Someone without those skills.


• WILL: Someone who can see the big picture.


• WILL: Someone who can make the tough decisions.


• WON'T: Someone who takes things personally.


• WON'T: A deeply rooted Progressive.


• WILL: Someone like Keith Boykin.

My Rant: Joe Solmonese, Understanding HRC and Playing the Political Game

I know many gays are glad Joe Solmonese is leaving the HRC in March. But to be honest, I really don't see what the hate is all about.

Some of the comments I've read are not really anything of substance. They blame him for the failure of ENDA and DOMA, or the dragging of DADT. But seriously, what do folks think the HRC is, the Masters of the Universe?

The reality is many people had an unrealistic view of the HRC's power. They were a consultant group to the major political peeps and they raised awareness to many LGBT activities. Yes, they gave pretty parties, but that's what fundraising is. If they were going to lobby, fight for ballot initiatives and keep the organization running, they had to raise money. And those $1000 a plate event paid the bills.

Also when it came to DOMA, DADT and other issues; many gays believed Joe was a Shaman or Wizard. I guess he was going to weave a spell to make all things gay pass every vote. That's not how politics works. It is a game; a hard, tough serious game. I'm sorry, but some of the gay bloggers and activists would fail badly trying to play this game. You can't bring grassroot philosophies on a true political playing field. I believe Joe knew that, but many within the community didn't get it. The sad part is, I don't think they would understand the game until it was too late.

So, please think about what leadership of a powerful org like HRC entails. It's not like running your local letter writing campaign, it's serious wheeling and dealing. This job ain't for the 'Pollyannas', it's for the true strategic players of the game. Joe may not have been the best leader, but for 6 years he took the HRC to a better place. He understood the responsibilities of the job. I'm not so sure that we actually do.  

HRC Confirms Joe's Departure, Will stay to the end of his Contract

HRC confirms that Joe will not renew his contract.

Here some of the press release:

The co-chairs of the Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors and the HRC Foundation Board today announced that HRC President Joe Solmonese has informed the boards that he will not renew his contract which expires March 31, 2012. Solmonese will remain at the helm of the organization until the completion of his contract to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

At the same time, the co-chairs announced the formation of a search committee to be co-chaired by board members Joni Madison of Hillsborough, N.C., and Dana Perlman of Los Angeles.

"Joe Solmonese is an outstanding leader," said Anne Fay who co-chairs the Foundation Board of Directors with Andy Linsky. "While we will miss his extraordinary leadership, we enter this next phase, thanks to Joe, in the best place the organization has ever been. Not only has our community secured historic victories, but our membership is larger and more active than at any time in our history, and our financial health is secure even in these difficult economic times."

"From the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell', to the recent passage of marriage equality in New York, Joe has made sure that HRC is an effective and strategic force for positive change," said Tim Downing, who co-chairs the HRC Board of Directors with Rebecca Tillet. "Over the course of his tenure, he's set the tone for delivering real reform that matters in peoples' everyday lives."

"Leading HRC has been an inspiring experience and a complete privilege," said Solmonese. "I could not be more proud of our staff, our volunteer leadership and of the extraordinary progress we've made together as a community."

Solmonese's leadership has taken the organization from 750,000 members and supporters to more than 1,000,000. Additionally, he oversaw significant expansion of HRC's public education and outreach programs including the launch of the Healthcare Equality index, a more robust Religion and Faith Program and wider reach and success of the Corporate Equality Index. The HRC Foundation also launched the Welcoming Schools program to address family diversity, gender stereotyping, bullying and name calling in schools, as well as the All Children All Families initiative that helps open up adoption agencies to prospective LGBT parents. The grassroots field operation also expanded – most recently mounting the largest state-level campaign in LGBT movement history resulting in the passage of marriage equality in New York.

Hot Rumor! Joe Solmonese may be Stepping Down from the HRC

Metro Weekly reports that Joe Solmonese may be stepping down earlier than his contract.

On Friday night, Aug. 26, Pam Spaulding at Pam's House Blend reported that Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese will be stepping down in the coming months from his leadership role at the nation's largest LGBT political organization, a fact confirmed by Metro Weekly. His most recent contract expires in March 2012, and an informed source tells Metro Weekly that "a full candidate selection process will take place" to find his successor.


A second source familiar with the situation said that a board conference call that originally was scheduled for Aug. 29 was rescheduled on the evening of Aug. 26 to take place later today, Aug. 27. The change was made after Spaulding published her report, which stated that an announcement about his departure was to be made public on Aug. 30.

So, I guess we will know more on Tuesday; however if he leaves, will this be a change in the organization? Honestly, I'm not so sure. Joe made the HRC a powerful money making machine and donors kept giving even when LGBT activists were up in arms about every move they made. I wasn't always pleased with EVERYTHING the HRC did, but I give them credit for they staying firm our their beliefs and tactics.

So I personally think (if this true) the HRC will stick close to a Joe Clone with slight changes. But the real question is... Who will lead?

Some LGBT Coward Group Vandalized a D.C. HRC Store

A new group called “The Right Honorable Wicked Stepmothers’ Traveling, Drinking, and Debating Society and Men’s Auxiliary” (This reminds me of a Fiona Apple CD title) vandalized the Human Rights Campaign store in D.C.

Why? Well, they are mad at the HRC and to pay some type of respect to the Stonewall Riots.
Here's there press release:

ROWDY QUEERS TRASH AND GLAMDALIZE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN GIFT SHOP IN WASHINGTON, DC ON THE  42nd ANNIVERSARY OF THE STONEWALL RIOTS

(In the wee hours of June 29, 2011)
--

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) gift shop in Dupont Circle in Washington, DC is a god awful monstrosity. We were in there yesterday and between wiping our genitals on the clothing and discovering that the snow globes wouldn't properly fit up our bums, we got to thinking:

"This place would look great with a bit of shattered glass and splattered paint."

So we strapped on our riot chaps, poured pink paint into light bulbs, grabbed hammers, and went party party party! all over that tacky testament to the transformation of radical queer liberation into consumer junk.

We've got good reason. This week marks the 42nd anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

On the night of June 28, 1969, New York City's Public Morals Squad did a routine raid of an East Village gay bar called the Stonewall Inn. Everything was going fine until, in the midst of the standard genital check that police forced on draq queens, a lesbian beaned a cop straight in the head with a ripped-up parking meter. And so queer liberation was born.

The modern LGBT movement owes its success to three days of smashing, burning, punching, and kicking--all of it happily indiscriminate--and the confrontational tactics of groups like ACT-UP that followed in the decades since. Yet, somehow we've forgotten our riotous roots.

Gay Pride, for example, wasn't always a suburban county fair with less fanny packs and lined with banks and politicians. The first Pride was the 1970 Christopher Street Liberation Day march, a celebration of the riots the year before (and to this day, Pride festivals the world over are celebrated in June).

But we've been snorting ritalin and drinking whiskey all night and this manifesto tomfoolery is wearing us down so let's bring it home, shall we?

Why, you're asking, did we specifically target the HRC, a massive national gay rights non-profit as opposed to vomiting urine on Rick Santorum or something equally fun?

Put simply, they suck. What do they suck? Cash. Lots of it.

The HRC rakes in something approaching 50 million dollars a year in revenue--their executive director, Joe Salmonellamayonaisemanese pulls in a salary of several hundred grand. What have we gotten out of this bloated carcass? Not a thing worth mentioning and every now and then, they eagerly sell trans people up the river. Seriously, this is an organization that hordes money and does nothing useful. It's a sad, sick dinosaur.

Meanwhile, in Washington, DC violence against the LGBT community is on the rise; DC's only LGBT center is forced to go hat in hand to real estate developers and beg for space, only to face eviction a few years down the road; We lack a homeless shelter for queer youth and services for our community are the victims of budget cuts. Can you think of something better to do with a few million dollars?

(Did you know that 50 million dollars can buy about 300 thousand pounds of glitter?)

Everyone: We know you mean well, but stop giving these idiots your money. Stop putting that equal sticker on your car. Stop going to their lame galas. And for the love of Judy Garland's Ghost and Robert Mapplethorpe's Zombie Bones, stop saying "It Gets Better" and hoping for a miracle from up on high. We don't expect you to riot (although we swear you'll love it once you get going!) but it's time for us to quit with the passivity, move to action, build community and care for each other instead of hoping the Gay Non-Profit Industrial Complex will ever get anything done.

Sincerely,

THE RIGHT HONORABLE WICKED STEPMOTHERS' TRAVELING, DRINKING AND DEBATING SOCIETY AND MEN'S AUXILIARY

This is childish! They are acting like jealous, ugly school girls. I understand their frustration, but to stoop to these levels are ridic. Personally, they are cowards.

If you want to be taken seriously, step in the HRC face; don't hide, stand firm and upfront. Folks ain't got time for this high school mess.

source

WATCH: John Aravosis vs. Fred Sainz on President Obama and Gay Rights

The HRC lashes out on Chris Brown for his Gay Slur

Let's be honest, Chris Brown SUX! And in his latest act of foolishness, Chris used a gay slur when talking about N**GAS. See here

Classic, Chris.

Now, the HRC has responded to this mess:

A rep for the HRC tells us, "Invoking words meant to demean gay Americans is just plain unacceptable. Chris Brown should know better."


The rep adds, "He irresponsibly neglected to recognize the impact of his words and the unacceptable message that it sends to couple the word gay with negative actions."

 So far, there's no response from Chris' team.

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New Poll: Folks Ain't Feeling DOMA, or the GOP for Defending It

The HRC reveals how America views and DOMA, the GOP and a little about gay marriage.

51 percent of voters oppose DOMA while 34 percent favor it. Independent voters, who were instrumental in the Republican House takeover, oppose the law by a 52 percent to 34 percent margin. Additionally, when read statements for and against defending DOMA in court, 54 percent of voters oppose the House Republicans' intervention, while only 32 percent support it. Given a list of issues important in determining their vote for President, voters ranked the economy and jobs (54 percent), Medicare and Social Security (23 percent) and education (19 percent) as most important with only 5 percent of respondents saying marriage was most important to them. Finally, when presented with the actual benefits from which married same-sex couples are excluded, voters overwhelmingly support extending those benefits.

Read it and weep, GOP

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NOM only produced SOME of their 2009 Tax Returns

Here's a follow-up from my post on Monday. Watch this clip from the NOM Exposed site

Here's more info

The Form 990 is the tax return NOM is required to submit to the IRS. NOM dated its 990 November 14, 2010, yet did not disclose it publicly until today when it gave an HRC representative a hard-copy of the tax return.

We haven’t had a chance yet to cull through it with a fine-tooth comb but here’s an observation regarding the group’s donors. Most of the $7.1 million in revenue in ’09 came from a few very large donors. These donors could be individuals or corporations. Here is how NOM’s top donations break down.

1. $2,475,000

2. $1,230,000

3. $1,100,000

4. $400,000

5. $150,000

Running the numbers, this means that 3 wealthy donors contributed 68% of their total donations; 4 donors gave 73% and 5 donors gave 75%.

These figures reinforce what we and others (Fred Karger) have been saying: the National Organization for Marriage does not represent some sizeable (or even small) grassroots constituency. The only “constituency” they represent is that of a few anti-gay folks who have a lot of money. NOM’s reluctance to make their tax returns available publicly is par for the course in their pattern of secrecy and shadowy dealings.

They are hiding something and it's too obvious! The true will come out NOM! The truth will come out! Great job to the HRC for staying on this.

HRC's Joe Solmonese talks about DADT and Next Steps

I know some folks are not fans of Joe. But we can't deny that he played a part in the repeal of DADT. He actually explains how the repeal returned from the dead (with his help of course)

HRC's vice president of communications, Fred Sainz strikes back at SU

So I posted the SU's press release to Valerie Jarrett, hoping to meet with her yesterday. Well,  Fred Sainz, HRC's vice president of communications, saw that and had some words of his own.

"These latest hijinks by Nicholson are part of a troubling pattern of irrational, unprofessional, and unproductive behavior," Sainz said. "[Nicholson's] rant is also without substance. The Administration helped to craft the legislation that was successfully voted on by the House and the Senate Armed Services Committee. Never before has a Defense Secretary or a Joint Chiefs chairman publicly supported repeal. This president got them there, and for that, he deserves our gratitude."

I was surprised to see this response, but I guess after getting sand kicked in the face by everybody, somebody was going to strike back, right? (Well, they do strike back in my neck of the woods)

Anywho, Alex Nicholson, the executive director of SU responded to Fred's statement:

"When the spokesperson for the largest gay organization stoops to vicious personal attacks against committed, unpaid staff of the smallest gay organization, you know there's a problem with the former," he said. "While I have more professionalism, rationality, and class than to return the favor and attack Sainz personally, I think this official 'response' from the Human Rights Campaign speaks volumes as to who is truly holding the adminstration's feet to the fire on 'don't ask, don't tell.'" 

Okay, but in this response, I read this "smallest gay organization", "Why are you pickin' on me" vibe. And if you look at the press release, you will see/get this "largest organization , top notch group" vibe.  Very interesting.

But seriously, I wish they stop all of this. They are acting like sorority girls fighting over some boy's attention. We need to set out an effective plan to get things done.

WATCH Valerie Jarrett speaks at the 2010 HRC Dinner

Interesting Quote: Brian Brown

The Human Rights Campaign, a $40 million dollar-a-year organization, has launched a website that purports to expose the "lies and secrets" of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM). Brian Brown, President of NOM, responds:

"I looked at the website.  Gee, they've discovered that NOM is a coalition of people of diverse religious views who believe gay marriage will hurt marriage as a social institution. They didn't need a whole website to ‘expose’ that; I could have told them.  We're flattered.  HRC is a $40 million organization whose heavy-handed attacks on NOM only prove that we are the key national organization fighting for marriage as one man and one woman. We've grown from a $500,000 to a $10 million organization in just three years because so many Americans recognize that we are a key player in the fight for marriage."

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Gay Rights Groups presents NOM Exposed

HRC and the Courage Campaign have launched NOM Exposed. They are attacking NOM by exposing everything that make NOM... NOM.

The site looks great and they are just getting started. Here's some stuff from their site: Who's funding them?

NOM board members and its project, the Ruth Institute, have deep ties to the Mormon Church, including: Former president Maggie Gallagher sits on the board of the Marriage Law Foundation, a Utah-based legal group with ties to both Mormons and a shadowy campaign committee used in Utah’s 2004 marriage amendment fight. William Duncan and Monte Stewart, the founders of the Marriage Law Foundation, are both Mormon. In fact Stewart was formerly a Mormon stake president in Atlanta, Georgia.

Stewart and Duncan previously co-chaired Utahns for a Better Tomorrow (UBT), a committee that supported the 2004 Utah amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Substantial donations were funneled to UBT through a shadowy nonprofit named Marriage Education Initiatives that was formed just two weeks before the election. A complaint was filed with the Utah Attorney General alleging malfeasance, but nothing ever came of the investigation.

While famous Mormon writer Orson Scott Card currently sits on the NOM board, he replaced Matthew Holland, a Mormon with familial links to the Church’s hierarchy. As a founding NOM board member, Holland “hails from a family with strong connections to leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: His father is LDS Apostle and former BYU President Jeffrey Holland.” For his part, Card has advocated that homosexuality be criminalized.

An academic advisor to the Ruth Institute, a NOM project, Lynn Wardle, has been deeply involved with the Mormon Church’s strategy to defeat same-sex marriage wherever it arises since that strategy’s beginnings in mid-90’s Hawaii.

NOM was closely tied to the coalition that supported California’s Prop. 8 – a campaign that was significantly funded and powered by the Mormon Church. Financially, NOM received at least $60,000 in high-dollar donations from Mormons during that 2008 campaign, as well as $10,000 from Mormon politician – and aspiring presidential candidate – Mitt Romney for NOM’s efforts around Prop. 8. In fact, Mormonsfor8 found Mormons donated over half of ProtectMarriage’s (Prop. 8) campaign funds. Mormonsfor8.com identified $16,483,037.24 from Mormons donating over $1,000 each to ProtectMarriage.com, 51% of the total funds raised.

NOM was so closely identified with the Mormon Church that several newspapers throughout the 2008 Prop. 8 fight referred to NOM as a “Mormon group.” The Grand Rapids Press, The Sacramento Bee, and the Contra Costa Times all referred to NOM as a “Mormon group” or a “New Jersey-based Mormon group” during that volatile campaign.

They have more info that is very interesting. Please check it out, here

pic from JMG