I have often voiced my unhappiness with the lack of aggressiveness of self-anointed "leaders" at many of the national LGBT rights organizations, particularly the Human Rights Campaign which seems more concerned about access to politicians, cocktail parties, exclusive dinners, and playing "nice" than about actually getting things accomplished. At times these "leaders" seem to want the struggle for LGBT equality - and ergo their jobs - to go on forever. This disconnect from the desires and goals of grassroots activists came into glaring view this past week with the activism and protests at the White House and Nancy Pelosi's office that left HRC sitting once again on the sidelines sitting on its hands. The sad truth is that our opponents will never give us equality just because we ask for it. Here are some highlights from CBS News on the divergence of tactics that seems to be growing:*
Lt. Dan Choi, the openly gay Iraq war veteran who has been an outspoken opponent of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, was arrested Thursday after chaining himself to a fence at the White House.
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The Advocate reports that Choi, along with former Army infantryman Jim Pietrangelo, was arrested after chaining themselves to the fence following a rally in Washington for repeal of the policy, which bans gay men and women from serving openly in the military.
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According to reports, Choi crashed the rally, hosted by the gay rights group the Human Rights Campaign and comedian Kathy Griffin, and asked attendees to join him in a march to the White House, turning the event into more of a protest.
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Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese did not march to the White House, in an illustration of the split in the gay rights movement between establishment organizations like the HRC, which generally support the Obama administration, and activists like Choi, who are pushing more aggressively for action.
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A video posted to YouTube shows protesters chanting "Equality, Now" as Choi and Pietrangelo stand chained to the White House fence.
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Personally, I applaud Choi's aggressive approach. With leaders like Solmonese, it will be another 40 years before gays cease to be second or third class citizens in this country. He and HRC are more focused on giving Obama and faux friend Democrats political cover than forcing equality now. Hence why I give ZERO money to HRC.
Lt. Dan Choi, the openly gay Iraq war veteran who has been an outspoken opponent of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, was arrested Thursday after chaining himself to a fence at the White House.
*
The Advocate reports that Choi, along with former Army infantryman Jim Pietrangelo, was arrested after chaining themselves to the fence following a rally in Washington for repeal of the policy, which bans gay men and women from serving openly in the military.
*
According to reports, Choi crashed the rally, hosted by the gay rights group the Human Rights Campaign and comedian Kathy Griffin, and asked attendees to join him in a march to the White House, turning the event into more of a protest.
*
Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese did not march to the White House, in an illustration of the split in the gay rights movement between establishment organizations like the HRC, which generally support the Obama administration, and activists like Choi, who are pushing more aggressively for action.
*
A video posted to YouTube shows protesters chanting "Equality, Now" as Choi and Pietrangelo stand chained to the White House fence.
*
Personally, I applaud Choi's aggressive approach. With leaders like Solmonese, it will be another 40 years before gays cease to be second or third class citizens in this country. He and HRC are more focused on giving Obama and faux friend Democrats political cover than forcing equality now. Hence why I give ZERO money to HRC.
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