Human Rights Campaign Again Blasts Proposal to Remove LGBTs from Puerto Rico Hate Crimes Law

The country's largest LGBT rights organization has once again blasted a proposed provision of Puerto Rico's new penal code that would eliminate sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and other categories from the island's hate crimes law.

“It would be unconscionable for Puerto Rico’s leaders to remove sexual orientation and gender identity from existing hate crime protections,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “This sends the dangerous message that it is acceptable to harass or harm LGBT people and would leave victims of hate crimes with no legal recourse. I urge Puerto Rico’s lawmakers not only to reject this homophobic legislation, but to push more aggressively to protect the well-being of LGBT Puerto Ricans.”

Singer Ricky Martin, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, New York Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez and Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez are among those who have publicly spoken out against the proposed provision. Jorge Sepulveda posted a petition to Change.org late on Wednesday, Dec. 7, that urges Puerto Rican lawmakers to reject the measure.

"It is ironic that in the same week, we see President Obama and Hillary Clinton going to international groups and telling them to pass more laws to protect minorities, then in Puerto Rico you see the government doing the exact opposite," he told Boy in Bushwick earlier on Thursday, Dec. 8. "It’s shameful to see that."

Puerto Rico lawmakers are poised to debate the proposed provision when they consider the revised penal code during a special legislative session this week. Puerto Rico Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz criticized House Judiciary Committee President Liza Fernández’s criticism of the proposed amended hate crimes law in an interview with Vocero on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Gutierrez urged Attorney General Eric Holder earlier on Thursday that he create a federal task force to investigate and prosecute hate crimes on the island. The U.S. Department of Justice cited the Puerto Rico Police Department's inadequate response to hate crimes as one of the PRPD's endemic deficiencies in a scathing report it issued in September. The Puerto Rico Department of Justice's own statistics indicate that prosecutors have not convicted anyone under the island's hate crimes law.

"If Puerto Rico doesn't want to protect its residents from attacks, violence and murder, then the federal authorities need to step in and ensure the most basic rights of life and liberty are protected," wrote Gutierrez.

Video: Obama Speaks at LGBT Rights Group's Annual Dinner

President Barack Obama touted his administration's LGBT-specific accomplishments at the Human Rights Campaign's annual National Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Obama cited the federal hate crimes bill, the executive order that mandates any hospital that receives Medicare and Medicaid funds to allow visitation rights for same-sex partners of their patients, the administration's opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act and the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' during his 20 minute speech.

Obama also criticized Republican presidential candidates who remained silent when a gay soldier in Iraq who asked a question about 'don't ask, don't tell' during a Sept. 22 debate in Florida was booed.

"We don’t believe in the kind of smallness that says it’s okay for a stage full of political leaders--one of whom could end up being the president of the United States--being silent when an American soldier is booed," said Obama to applause. "We don’t believe in that. We don’t believe in standing silent when that happens. We don’t believe in them being silent since. You want to be commander-in-chief? You can start by standing up for the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States, even when it’s not politically convenient."

Obama to Keynote LGBT Rights Group's Annual Dinner

The Human Rights Campaign announced earlier on Wednesday, Sept. 21, that President Barack Obama will deliver the keynote address at its annual National Diner in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 1.

“We are honored to share this night with President Obama who has a tremendous record of accomplishment for LGBT people,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “On the heels of the end to ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ we look forward to celebrating our victories and redoubling our efforts for the fights that remain ahead.”

Obama delivered the keynote address at HRC's National Dinner in 2009, while senior White House adviser Valerie Jarrett spoke to the gathering last year. Then-President Bill Clinton delivered the keynote address at HRC's National Dinner in 1997.

LGBT Americans need more than a BFF

The Human Rights Campaign certainly knows how to throw an extravagant party for itself every October in Washington, D.C., but does this carefully choreographed gala actually accomplish anything?

Andres and I were genuinely thrilled to see Ricky Martin take the stage at the start of the nearly four-hour affair. He told those inside the Washington Convention Center he wants “to add my voice to yours” and he is “so happy to be part of this community.” The predictable flurry of text messages and tweets to my editor, colleagues and friends in New York City followed, but the emotional testimony the gay Puerto Rican heart throb provided truly proved far more powerful than simple words can describe.



Mo’Nique’s equally heart-felt and equally compelling speech as she introduced director Lee Daniels and Pink’s challenge to bullies to come find her if they “want to take their anger out on someone” provided additional highlights as the evening dragged on. Senior White House advisor Valerie Jarrett’s comments on the rash of recent LGBT teenager suicides and the administration’s commitment to repeal the military’s ban on openly gay and lesbian soldiers were certainly nice gestures. Once again, however, did they actually accomplish anything?

The last few weeks have certainly brought sadness, anger and outrage to those within the movement for LGBT rights and their many supporters. The seemingly endless headlines about teenagers taking their own lives because they faced endless torment over their sexual orientation and/or gender identity and expression; yet more reported hate crimes in New York City; and partisan politics that derailed debate on the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, among other things, have certainly taken their toll. And while it is entirely appropriate for people to enjoy themselves at an HRC dinner, it takes far more than endless backslapping, choreographed moments designed to put someone’s idea of the community’s best face forward and a California teenager’s “Joe (Solmonese) is possibly even a BFF” proclamation to show the country LGBT Americans deserve more than a simple seat at the table.

Obama speaks at Human Rights Campaign dinner

As LGBT activists and others around the country continue to converge on Washington for the National Equality March, President Barack Obama just delivered the keynote address at the Human Rights Campaign's annual dinner in the District of Columbia.

The commander-in-chief made multiple references back to the Stonewall Riots that kicked-off the modern movement for LGBT rights in 1969. Obama also said he would end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and he would sign the Employment Non-Discrimination Act into law once it comes across his desk. These proclamations, however, did not contain any specific timetables. And the rather obvious question remains: What impact will Obama's speech have and how will activists within the movement, LGBT Americans and others respond to it.

At strictly face value, the visage of the president standing before the country's largest LGBT advocacy organization to deliver a speech almost certainly carries enormous impact both inside the Beltway and around the country. Obama's popularity among Americans remains relatively high. And his decision to deliver the HRC keynote could potentially change more hearts and minds in support of basic LGBT equality.

There are certainly those within the movement and progressive circles, however, who will continue to conclude Obama did not go far enough tonight to prove his commitment to full LGBT equality--a handful of these criticisms have already begun to trickle into my inbox. Obama himself touched upon them as he urged dinner attendees to pressure him and other lawmakers to act on LGBT-specific bills. And he further (and arguably very correctly) concluded health care, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and other so-called bigger issues affect LGBT and straight Americans alike.

"You're soldiers, neighbors, friends and most importantly you're Americans who care deeply about this country and its future," Obama said to a rousing applause.

The president's opponents (on both the right and the left) will continue to criticize what he said (or what they feel he didn't say) in the speech. Obama's target audience was almost certainly those within the movement and progressive circles who have grown increasingly skeptical of the administration's commitment to LGBT issues. I remain intently curious, however, to know how those outside the convention center responded to the president's remarks. I wonder whether the transgender woman of color who sells her body each night on Knickerbocker Avenue in Bushwick in order to simply survive even knew Obama mentioned LGBT Americans tonight. I am curious to know whether those LGBT Americans in states where employers can still legally fire them solely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression were even able to watch the speech. And I simply cannot help but wonder whether the closeted lawmaker who continues to pass anti-LGBT legislation against his own brothers and sisters even bothered to listen to the president's remarks.

The above three examples are clearly hyperbole, but the fact remains one speech from the president is not going to curb simmering skepticism or immediately end the injustices LGBT Americans of all socio-economic, racial, cultural, religious and even political backgrounds continue to endure. Obama set the right tone earlier tonight. The collective movement, however, must continue to push the White House, lawmakers and their own constituents on behalf of all of those on whose behalf it claims to advocate.

HRC's Joe Solmonese discusses ENDA, Obama on Fire Island

There remains often intense debate within the movement for LGBT rights as to whether the Human Rights Campaign actually advocates on behalf of LGBT Americans--or is even a relevant force on Capitol Hill and around the country. The organization is, for better or for worse depending upon a person's perspective, remains the largest LGBT organization in the United States with an estimated 800,000 members and a $40 million annual budget.

HRC President Joe Solmonese was quick to point out this fact during our recent interview in the Fire Island Pines. We discussed, among other topics, Barack Obama, the prospects of marriage for same-sex couples in New York and the continued fallout over his decision to endorse a trans-exclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act last fall. The full article from EDGE is below.



Known among many as one of the cradles of the movement for LGBT rights, both the Fire Island Pines and neighboring Cherry Grove routinely draw some of the country’s most influential activists and elected officials. And Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese is the latest to make the trek to the beach.

He spoke to several supporters in the Pines on Aug. 9. Solmonese stressed one of his organization’s biggest priorities are to elect Barack Obama, pro-LGBT candidates in both the U.S. House and Senate and to secure marriage for same-sex couples in New York and other states.

"This is critical," he said.

Solmonese told EDGE in an exclusive interview earlier in the day he feels Fire Islanders remain a critical force in the movement in New York and around the country as activists in the state and around the country expand their efforts to extend nuptials to gays and lesbians.

He asserted their influence will only increase as the state and others move towards the possibility of allowing marriage for same-sex couples in the coming years.

"Someone may be here in the Pines and visiting from [Los Angeles], but the fight for marriage equality is about the next step towards marriage," he said. "It’s not just about New York."

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick overturned a 1913 law on July 31 that prevented gays and lesbians from other states from marrying in the Commonwealth. California became the second state to allow nuptials for same-sex couples to marry after a landmark state Supreme Court ruling took effect in June.

Anti-LGBT organizations successfully collected enough signatures to place an initiative on the ballot this November that would prohibit marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Solmonese expressed confidence this issue will not galvanize the electorate as it did during the 2004 Presidential election. He pointed to Iraq, the slumping economy and high gas prices as the issues on which he feels voters will focus.

"The electorate is so [singularly] focused on these issues and it won’t allow a candidate to change the subject," Solmonese said. "That’s good news."

He further criticized presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain for his opposition to the federal hate crimes bill and other pro-LGBT legislation. Solmonese stressed he feels Obama would work to ensure their passage if elected to the White House.

"Barack Obama is the key to all that happening," he said.

Appointed to head the HRC in March 2005, Solmonese’s most controversial decision remains his endorsement last fall of a version of the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act without transgender-specific protections. More than 350 LGBT and allied organizations from around the country formed the United ENDA Coalition as a direct challenge to HRC’s decision. Solmonese maintains a trans-inclusive ENDA simply did not have enough support on Capitol Hill.

He conceded the subsequent debate over ENDA has been challenging for not only his organization but the entire movement. Solmonese maintained, however, the HRC remains committed to securing Congressional support for a trans-inclusive bill.

Solmonese further categorized United ENDA’s mission as "trying to kill the bill." Solmonese added more trans people have come to the HRC to see what they can do to help advance a trans-inclusive version of the bill.

He conceded, however, ENDA still faces a difficult road.

"Our community needs to understand... nothing gets done in a one- shot deal," Solmonese said. "That’s never been a way we’ve built complex and sweeping legislation in this country."

Despite persistent criticisms over its ENDA stance, Solmonese remains confident the HRC continues to have a positive impact on the lives of LGBT Americans. The organization counts roughly 800,000 members and has an annual budget of $40 million. And Solmonese said his membership remains enthusiastic about HRC’s mission and work in Washington and around the country.

"It’s important to remember these 800,000 [people] who continue to respond to what we ask them to do," he said. "There’s an awful lot of people who support us."

Solmonese further maintained a positive outlook towards his organization and its mission.

"Despite all the chatter... in the community, we remain singularly focused on the work ahead," he said.

New York Activists Plan Protest Outside HRC Dinner

New York activists are among those across the country who have either picketed the Human Rights Campaign or plan to protest the lobbying organization at dinners across the country. As I reported in EDGE New York yesterday, a coalition of organizations plan to gather outside HRC's annual New York gala tomorrow night in Midtown to express their displeasure over the group's decision to back a transgender-exclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act last fall. Stay tuned!

As the fallout over the Human Rights Campaign’s decision to back a transgender-exclusive federal non-discrimination bill before Congress last fall continues to unfold, a number of activists plan to picket the lobbying organization’s annual New York gala in Midtown on Feb. 23.

Allen Roskoff, president of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, told EDGE New York he expects hundreds of people to take part. He blasted U.S. Rep. Barney Frank [D-Mass.] for introducing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act without gender identity and expression and HRC President Joe Solmonese for supporting it despite repeated assurances to the contrary. Roskoff added he and others plan to ask members of New York’s Congressional delegation to withdraw their support of the current version of the bill.

"HRC has taken away the fight and drive for equality by compromising our goals and selling the community short," he said.

Melissa Sklarz, director of the New York Trans Rights Organization, is among those supporting the protest. She said she hopes donors and others who attend the dinner will better understand the damage she feels the HRC’s decision to back a trans-exclusive ENDA has done to its reputation and standing.

"I know they raise lots and lots of money and I know they have a huge, huge staff," Sklarz said. "2007 was a terrible, terrible year for transgender trust in HRC."

Stonewall Democratic Club of New York President Matthew Carlin said he made a personal decision not to attend. He added he has urged his members to do the same.

"HRC was really on the wrong side of the ENDA decision," Carlin said.

Activists have protested HRC dinners in Philadelphia and Charlotte, North Carolina, in recent weeks. And the New York Post reported earlier this week honorees Idina Menzel and Vanessa Williams have been urged to cancel their appearances at the gala, which Mayor Michael Bloomberg, openly lesbian City Council Speaker and probable 2009 mayoral candidate Christine Quinn, openly gay state Sen. Tom Duane, Carson Kressley and other local politicos and celebrities have previously attended.

Quinn did not return a request for comment, but has expressed support for a trans-inclusive bill. Duane, who has echoed these sentiments, will not attend the dinner because he will be in Albany.

HRC spokesperson Trevor Thomas downplayed any impact the protest may have.

"While a small number of critics continue to hold protests surrounding ENDA, the Human Rights Campaign is working with allies in Congress to educate members and pave the way for a fully inclusive bill that protects the entire GLBT community," he said.

Thomas further pointed out the HRC sends regular action alerts to its members that urge them to lobby their members of Congress to support a trans-inclusive bill. He also said HRC has recruited more than 50 major businesses to sign a letter in support of ENDA with gender identity and expression, and Thomas further added the organization has secured a commitment from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi [D-Calif.] to bring a trans-inclusive bill up for a vote as soon as it has enough support to pass.

"There are a lot of things that the general GLBT community... are not aware of that we’re doing everyday to make this happen," he said.

Roskoff remains unconvinced.

"It is time for our community to stop throwing money down the drain," Roskoff said. "HRC is nothing more than a cash cow that must no longer be fed."

More on ENDA

The debate surrounding the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act continues to rage among LGBT activist circles (and organizations within the broader movement for LGBT rights). In conversations with several sources over the past couple of days I have reached the following conclusions: ENDA's passage amounts to a historic victory for (gay and lesbian) Americans because it is the first time lawmakers on Capitol Hill has passed a comprehensive piece of gay and lesbian-specific legislation but the Human Rights Campaign has failed to adequately explain its decision to endorse a transgender-exclusive ENDA to a largely skeptical LGB and especially T constituency.

HRC and other national LGBT organizations must constantly explain their existence to a largely indifferent LGBT public and to core activists and donors who support their work through their time, activism and especially money. The lobbying organization, for the sake of argument, has its pulse in tune with how Capitol Hill works. But most people outside of that Washington realm don't. Those outside the Beltway become outraged without understanding the rationale behind a particular decision, strategy, tactic, etc. Hastily prepared press releases, heavily messaged blogs and strategic sound bites in the case of ENDA are simply not enough to convince these skeptical activists who, among other things, have demanded HRC President Joe Solmonese's resignation. Cooler heads often prevail but HRC has a lot of explaining to do in order to possibly defend its decision to back a trans-exclusive piece of legislation. I am cynically holding my breath!

HRC Backs Trans-Exclusive ENDA

As lawmakers on Capitol Hill debate ENDA on the House floor as I write, the Human Rights Campaign remains in the cross hairs of many LGBT activists within the movement after it announced its support for the transgender-exclusive version of the bill yesterday. HRC President Joe Solmonese told the Associated Press in an interview that ENDA without gender identity and expression could eventually lead to legislation which protects transgender people.

"Sometimes with these sorts of complex and weighty legislative fights, the best way to move towards the ultimate piece of legislation you are looking for is to do it by degree," he said to the news agency.

Solmonese's own board last month voted to reaffirm a 2004 declaration in support of a trans-inclusive ENDA after Congressman Barney Frank [D-Mass.] reintroduced two versions of the bill which separated sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Freshman Democrats on Capitol Hill also expressed concern to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi [D-Calif.] and other blue leaders that they could not vote in favor of a trans-inclusive ENDA because of concerns related to their re-election bids. Politics remains a series of compromises but HRC's sudden change of heart undoubtedly raises a series of troubling questions among LGB and especially T activists who maintain their support for a trans-inclusive ENDA.

National Center for Transgender Equality executive director Mara Keisling acknowledged the politics at play in her almost daily ENDA update today. But she could barely contain her disappointment at HRC and other non-LGBT organizations which endorsed the trans-exclusive ENDA.

"That official abandonment of transgender people by these organizations yesterday may have therefore changed the vote count but we do not know," Keisling opined. "Some members of Congress will still make a principled NO vote and LGBT people should rush to support them."

HRC's decision arguably confirms the long-standing belief among transgender activists (and their supporters) that the lobbying group has never actually taken their concerns to heart. It also appears to confirm the conclusion the position that HRC fails to take into account the interests of the so-called rank and file LGB and especially T American. President Bush has already indicated he plans to veto ENDA. But HRC will certainly remain in many activists' cross hairs over its decision to officially endorse transgender exclusion in a historic piece of legislation.

Democrats Take Part in First LGBT Political Debate Tonight

Yesterday's tornado -- a twister Mom! -- in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, overshadowed the growing excitement over tonight's LGBT. Human Rights Campaign Executive Director Joe Solmonese, Washington Post Editorial Writer Jonathan Capehart and Grammy-winner Melissa Etheridge will ask the Democratic candidates questions during the forum hosted by Logo and the HRC.

The candidates will almost certainly face difficult questions about their records on LGBT issues. Senator Hillary Clinton, for example, may face questions about her continued failure to support marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, on the other hand, may have to explain his 'maricon' comparison that came to light in June. Some pundits and activists may conclude tonight's confab may produce more feel-good sound bites and blanket statements in support of equality for LGBT Americans. Others may speculate actual fireworks may erupt between the candidates who participate as they seek to secure the pink vote. Yet more may conclude the movement's own inbred politics and infighting may come to the surface. All of these scenarios remain a possibility. The fact remains, however, the debate marks a significant milestone for the whole movement for LGBT rights and to an equally important extent LGBT Americans.