WHAT! HRC standing up for something rather than their rich, white, gay and lesbian folks. I almost can't believe it. Some one must have shamed those kids. Good for that someone. Up here in CT. we only get the Socialists, Anarchists, progressive Queers to stand up for the Jena 6, not the "I do, I do" Or Don't Ask, Don't tell groups. Hope it filters down to them but please don't get in the way of the liberationist. This has been a long fight and as the old song went, "get out of the way if you can't lend a hand." Because now we will expect more from HRC. And maybe someday I and my friends will once again send them some $.

Self-righteous contempt, Michael? Really?

Then what is it when an organization like HRC demonstrates it's own self-righteous contempt for the working LGBT middle class by insisting on wasting valuable face time with powerful Democrats by asking question after question about gay marriage which they can do nothing about at the federal level and ignores the issues important to the rest of the community such as employment rights, health care, hate crimes protections, etc.?

What would you call the actions of HRC's Executive Board, who not only refuse to allow real agenda and decision-making power to rest with the working class LGBT majority rather than almost exclusively with a tiny self-involved ultra-wealthy white minority but, according to Donna Rose, are now considering raising the yearly financial obligation for a seat on the Board even beyond the current $50,000 requirement?

You know, Michael, since I've been a commenter and contributor here, I've tried to make it a point to be as fair and even-handed as I can be in responding to you because of our public conflict in '04. In this case, however, when you try to label the words of those who speak out against HRC as "self-righteous contempt", the kid gloves come off.

HRC and its oh-so-exclusive, elitist, and conservative leadership and agenda are exactly what our community should be moving beyond toward a better future. At every turn, HRC has proven itself unwilling to honor its promises, unable to serve in a leadership role in this community's advocacy efforts credibly and equitably, and has completely and utterly failed us as a spokesman.

It is the HRC's Executive Board's "self-righteous contempt" for the majority of our community which has now successfully and correctly cast HRC as exactly what they are. We barely need to say a word when anyone who watched that farcical forum could see for themselves exactly who and what HRC really cares about.

I mean, Goddess, Michael, you weren't even slick about it. HRC just asked for questions, collected over 3,000 of them, promised at least one trans question per candidate, and then, once the cameras were rolling, simply threw all those questions and promises right in the dumper in favor of more wasted time spent asking politicians about an issue they can't do anything about. It's even more blatantly anti-trans and anti-working class than you were in '04, and that's saying something.

In my opinion, HRC has once again demonstrated themselves as unworthy of a leadership role in this community advocacy efforts, unwilling to properly serve the interests of anyone other than a tiny wealthy elite, and undeserving of our donations, our participation, or our respect.

Before you go throwing around terms like "self-righteous contempt", Michael, I suggest you look to your own organization's leadership as an example of what you seem to be claiming to revile.

I saw a mention of this incident on CNN recently. I am pleased that this atrocious turn of events in Jena is finally getting the attention it deserves.