HRC's reply (my apologies for the delay in posting)

Hi folks. I should've posted this earlier. It's the reply I eventually got from HRC after I wrote to them last month.



Date: Fri, 20 May 2005 17:21:48 -0400
From: <***********@hrc.org>
Subject: RE: Membership letter from Joe Solmonese
To:


Dear Timothy,

Thank you so much for contacting HRC regarding your concerns about our most recent direct mail package.

Please let me assure you that the sentence in question was unfortunately a complete oversight on our part—and will be rectified immediately. We are truly grateful you have brought this to our attention so quickly. The sentence should have read and in future print will read: We are all connected by a common thread---the simple belief that every American deserves to be treated equally, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We are also taking the extra step of looking over all materials to make sure that we are being truly reflective and inclusive of all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. So thank you for this reminder as well.

Joe has had the opportunity to meet with several transgender leaders across the country since he's started, including Mara Keisling and Caedan Dempsey in Washington, D.C., Pauline Park in New York, Rachel Crandall in Michigan and others. He's valued the discussions he's had with these leaders and will continue to meet with transgender community members throughout his tour across America.

And we are also grateful that Jay was willing to be highlighted in our staff section. He is one of the most dynamic and valued members of the HRC team. So thank you for acknowledging this.

This unfortunate omission you uncovered is in no way reflective of the organizations sincere commitment to working for transgender rights in this country. HRC’s official position is one of full support for transgender-inclusive workplace and hate crimes legislation. Period.

As you may know, on 8/7/04, the Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors adopted a policy to support a modernized version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The adopted resolution reads: “The Human Rights Campaign adopts a policy that we will only support ENDA if it is inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.” The updated language includes gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation to ensure that every gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender American is protected from employment discrimination.

HRC has long supported inclusive legislation but took this action in anticipation of ENDA’s reintroduction in the 109th Congress. HRC staff will continue to work tirelessly to ensure passage of a comprehensive ENDA. Additionally, HRC meets with leadership of other advocacy groups on a regular and ongoing basis to discuss federal legislation and other issues and has never pressured our allies to not support inclusive language in our legislation.

Our efforts are indeed ongoing and wide-ranging. In several cities across the country, we have held town hall meetings on transgender issues, and partnered with GLBT groups to pass inclusive state laws and local ordinances. Last year, we gave Equality Fund grants to GLBT groups in five states to help them pass transgender-inclusive legislation. We also work with corporations to get company non-discrimination policies to include gender identity alongside other protected classes. We look forward to the day when all GLBT Americans have equal protection under the law and will continue to be a leader in making that dream a reality.

I would also like to provide you with an informational document that also highlights the work and progress HRC will continue to pursue in the transgender community. Please see the Microsoft Word attachment labeled “HRC & Transgender Work.”

Again, please accept our sincere apologies. And thank you for not just walking away, but giving me the opportunity to respond to this issue. Trust that it will be handled appropriately, and it is things like this that will make the organization ultimately better and stronger.

Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch with me if you require any clarification on any of these points, as HRC is more than willing to keep an open dialogue on these issues and welcomes feedback and inquires from the LGBT community. If I can be of any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

And thank you for your membership. Your support is truly valued and appreciated—and I would hate for that to change.


Respectfully,

Laura Dalrymple


_____________________________________________
Laura A. Dalrymple
Member Services Manager
Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036-3278
email laura.dalrymple@hrc.org
direct phone 202.216.1525
fax 202.216.1505
web www.hrc.org

working for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equal rights. =