Gay leaders signal split over strategy Tom Musbach, PlanetOut Network published Friday, December 10, 2004 In a letter to Congress on Thursday, several prominent LGBT leaders distanced themselves from the nation's largest gay rights group because it reportedly plans to shift its strategy to include political bargaining and easing up on the push for equal marriage rights.
The catalyst for the apparent public split was a New York Times article, published Thursday, that described how Human Rights Campaign (HRC) leaders plan to "moderate" their goals in response to the widespread victory last month of anti-gay initiatives in 11 states to restrict marriage rights. One of the HRC proposals, according to the Times, was to consider supporting President Bush's plan to partly privatize Social Security in exchange for a guarantee that gay partners would receive benefits under the program. In addition, the Times piece suggested that HRC leaders plan to adopt a more controlled strategy that places less emphasis on legalizing same-sex marriage and more on changing minds through personal relationships. The reported shifts got a quick reaction from some LGBT leaders, who wrote to the people HRC spends most of its time lobbying: U.S. representatives and senators. "Although the struggle for freedom can be difficult and painful for those without full equality, it would be an historic mistake to grow tired of the battle or surrender basic rights and equality in order to make the road easier," the group of more than 30 leaders wrote in the letter, titled "Where We Stand." "We will not sacrifice our rights -- or the rights of others, like senior citizens -- on the altar of political expediency," they said, referring to the reported Social Security deal. The signers include Democratic strategist and fund-raiser David Mixner, philanthropist David Bohnett and leaders of several national LGBT organizations, including the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), the National Black Justice Coalition, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), DignityUSA and Seniors in a Gay Environment (SAGE). The HRC, however, has publicly disputed Thursday's article in the Times, calling it "inaccurate" and "incomplete" in its depiction of the agency's plans. "There will be no retreat or compromise in the pursuit of full equality for LGBT Americans, including our right to marry, protect our families and be free from discrimination at work," the group said in a prepared statement. The group also said it has not taken a position on the issue of privatizing Social Security. Kate Kendell, executive director of the San Francisco-based NCLR, said she signed the letter in part to counter what she felt were false perceptions stemming from the Nov. 2 general election. "In light of continued questions about whether 'the movement' is moving too quickly," she added, "I felt we needed to communicate directly with policymakers as they considered the lives of gay people in legislation." Kendell said her decision to sign was "completely separate" from the Times report, which she doubted was entirely accurate. Author Betty Berzon, a psychotherapist and columnist for PlanetOut, said she signed the letter to Congress to prevent a narrowing of the LGBT community's focus. "Of course gay rights strategy should be reassessed now -- that is healthy -- but it doesn't have to be either-or: working for same-sex marriage or focusing on just helping the American family know us better," she told the PlanetOut Network. "They are essentially interrelated, and both continue to deserve our best efforts." The public disagreement among leaders follows the sudden announcement last week that HRC's former leader, Cheryl Jacques, was departing after less than a year on the job. Thursday's letter was also signed by Jeff Soukup, chief financial officer of PlanetOut Inc. For the complete letter and list of signers, go to the NGLTF site. -- www.gaybombay.info ------------------------ Yahoo! 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