Petrelis Files

BAR Editorial: HRC Was MIA on ENDA

The terrific editorial in today's Bay Area Reporter on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act hits many nails on the head, in terms of problems with Rep. Barney Frank and the Human Rights Campaign and their misguided ENDA strategies.

It doesn't surprise me in the least that HRC was first MIA when the controversy broke over Frank's approach to drop the transgendered from the bill, and when HRC eventually issued a statement about where they stood, the group betrayed a deeply-held arrogance.

Brava to Cynthia Laird, the BAR editor, for her fabulous editorial and the paper's longstanding coverage and commitment to fairness and equality for our transgendered brothers and sisters.

From the BAR column:

We Deserve Better

The LGBT community deserves better leadership from two stalwarts of the movement, as events over the last few days stemming from a decision to strip gender identity from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act clearly demonstrate. [...]

One gay rights group, however, was missing in action: the Human Rights Campaign. We find it inexplicable and inexcusable that HRC would remain silent for days, when ENDA – in its original trans-inclusive form – has been the crown jewel of its years of legislative effort. With a Democratic Congress, it seemed like this would be the year that ENDA would finally see congressional approval. By the time HRC's board held a lengthy telephone conference meeting Monday, the organization's credibility had taken a hit. On Tuesday, HRC President Joe Solmonese issued a statement that was stunning in both its mixed message and arrogance: HRC reaffirmed its 2004 position of supporting a trans-inclusive ENDA, but would not lobby members of Congress against voting for the watered down bill.

Both Frank and HRC have a troubled history regarding transgender issues. Frank has a reputation of working against that segment of the community, or at least not strongly supporting it. HRC, of course, had to be chastened into supporting a trans-inclusive ENDA three years ago. Since then, however, HRC has assiduously courted the transgender community, including having trans members on its board. In the space of a week, however, virtually all of that goodwill has evaporated. The anger is palpable – and justified. [...]