Good words.

But we've had good words from the HRC before.

So, let's get down to brass tacks. What actual, concrete plans has the HRC for changing its equality index? This is something they have full control over. We've heard the nebulous statement of intent, the assurance that they're "looking into it". But we've heard that before, so pardon my scepticism.

Can they give us at least a plan, with dates and milestones? Or at least a date by which they'll give us a date? Until we get a concrete commitment, this will be seen as no more than the same old smoke-blowing as in the past.

That task should be easy.

A harder one would be a plan, and some dates, for a trans-inclusive ENDA. But at least they should be able to give us the priority they put on it.

Is it higher or lower than repeal of DADT? Lower, I think, DADT is on its last legs. Is it higher or lower than repeal of DOMA, a much harder task? Lower, I think. The Matthew Shepard Act? Lower, though that one's pretty darned low. Actually, I think it's lower than any other task on their list, and a reasonable timeframe might be 20-30 years time, assuming nothing even more important comes up in the meantime to delay it yet further.

If so, so. But at least tell us what it is, and give a commitment to it.

Oh wait, they already did that, and 10 days later, said "that was then, this is now", followed by the dodgiest poll ever conducted to show that really, the majority was on their side.

The problem is that those who would like to be pragmatic, and "move on", can't possibly trust anything they say now. Their words are meaningless.

Their record of actions, such as the aid they gave to the recent Congressional hearings, are what they must be judged on now. And that record is looking better, I hope the improvement continues. The words are mere sounds, meaningless, bafflegab and worthless.

I trust Mr Sanchez. I found his performance at the hearings most impressive, and most effective. But how much power does he have to enact his intent? As much as Donna Rose had? When push comes to shove, will he be as isolated and ex-communicated as she was?

Unlike the rabid HRC critics, who think the HRC can do nothing right, I really will believe it when I see it, and give credit for it. Unlike those who are trying to mend fences though, I view the HRC's words - and worse, their sworn word - as mere noise.

Diego,
It is best you listen to Zoe's words. She is not even an American citizen and yet, she understands HRC and its history better than you do.

"None so deaf as those that will not hear. None so blind as those that will not see." - Mathew Henry -

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." - George Santayana -

You failed to learn from history and you do not listen to those who have come before you. Your fate will be no better than those who have tried before you.

I have a motto that goes, "There is no shame in failure, but there is in failure to try." The exception to that is trying for something out of the realm possibility. These are things like exploring Mars, traveling through time and thinking I can change HRC. To do any of those, I would have to break the laws of physics.

In HRC's case, Newton's First Law of Motion is in play. The First Law says, "Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it." Basically, in order to move an immovable object (HRC,) it has to be acted upon by a force that can not only overcome the friction of its stationary state, but have enough force to also place that object in motion. You don't have enough force to move the immovable HRC. Brush up on your physics.

Now that I made my statement to you, I'll go talk to the nearest brick wall. It hears better than most, and responds better.

Unless Joe Solmonese publicly states that HRC will ONLY support a single ENDA bill which includes both sexual orientation and Gender Identity, there is NOTHING else anyone can say. No matter who HRC hires, no matter which transgender person they get to speak at their dinner party, fund-raisers.
Until that happens, I'm not listening.

Wow, Diego. It sounds like you're one of those people who would be stabbed in the back by someone and then claim that they just tripped.

Sure seems like you're being used to me.

How sad.

Thank you for posting. After reading your speech, the question that came to me was the question of leadership. You talk about Joe's leadership, and while I definitely disagree, its not what I take from your speech.

The question I have for you Diego, is where is your leadership?

In situations like this, we need those who will work on the inside and those who will work on the outside. You've obviously taken the inside track, and I applaud you on taking that route.

But that route takes leadership, and in my opinion, your speech doesn't show that. It is obvious to me that you are playing a role. You are playing the role of the acceptable tranny who comes in and quiets the crowd and lets them be comfortable that what is going on around them is not a big deal, and that they really shouldn't feel uncomfortable. Nothing to see here people, move along.

I would encourage you to consider the role you are playing and if you can not use that opportunity to make people uncomfortable.

You could have talked about how Joe, who you called a leader, failed the community when he lied, and that that is why the people outside and the community at large hold much of their anger directly at HRC.

Instead you took the easy, non-confrontational way out. For people and groups to change, they have to be made uncomfortable. How did your speech accomplish that?

To me, it looks like it just gave the people on the stage and in the room the space to feel as if there is nothing they did that contributed to the situation in Congress and outside the hotel. No one was held to account.

Where was the challenge?

Instead, you praised people that need to be challenged.

And so, I challenge you, Diego. I challenge you to think about what role you are playing. Are you in control or are the people that are directing you in control?

Who are you accountable to? Is HRC accountable to you?

Leadership means making people uncomfortable and I wish you had done more of that in your speech.

After reading it, to me as an audience member it makes me think that HRC's hands are clean and there is nothing to be done.

I hope you contemplate my thoughts, they are sent with the most sincerity possible.

The way I see it, G.Bush a.k.a. “The Shrub” would have vetoed any ENDA legislation that came along. He always stated he would veto it, so why bother to try and go forward with it while the Faith-based spouting Emperor still holds office? Obviously, the Democratic leadership in Congress is more concerned with their positions than the safety and well being of all Americans. Seems they may have a problem with reality when it comes to actually helping people rather than using their office for self serving opportunistic ventures in self wealth. Sadly our Congress is laden with to many individuals of this selfish character and this to must change!

As for HRC's handling of it, they couldn't have created a bigger mess for themselves if they paid someone to (maybe they got paid in favor to create failure)! The good thing that came out of the way it was handled, unfortunately for the outcome, was in the form knowledge of who in Congress is supportive of the Inclusive (mental) legislation and who was in favor of the non-inclusive (crotch) version which in reality is nothing more than castrated impotent legislation which essentially would only serve to help a segment of the LGBT community. The HRC was also shown how unity in the American LGBT community is stronger than they realized. Even still as mentioned by so many, time and time again, the HRC has yet to apologize for its misconceived turn on the gender in ENDA and its hesitation to publicly commit to helping all that inclusive legislation would provide for safer fuller lives! The HRC's holding to the excuse of inclusive failure due to gender just screams prejudice!

I was sent a flyer asking for a monetary donation to the HRC after the initial shockwave and my response though not supportive was neither derogatory and I responded of my own disappointment in their not supporting me or any others who would benefit from an inclusive ENDA! It would appear the HRC want us on board for appearances sake but will a true vision of unity emerge from HRC? Not till they speak truth and commit to all who need help and stand behind their commitments, hiring negotiators in the form of Transgender to show willingness to that end could just as well be another ruse for appearances sake! I personally will need more commitment from the HRC before they regain my trust.

To be honest Diego I found your speech pretty weak and avoiding of not placing blame but accountability.You said that Congress thinks of us as less than human.Is that the Republican Congress or the Democratic Congress or both? I vaguely remember something about the Republican side wanting to push the T back into enda.Politics or guilty conscience one can only speculate.But why endorse a candidate from either party didn't Clinton sign dadt and doma?As for a meeting between the T leadership and HRC I'd rather see them issue a statement to the greater T community.Not an apology but an explanation of how they think relations might of soured.What issues they would recomend the T community address to help make a better relationship with hrc possible.Also a statement of willingness to try to address reasonable issues the T community might have with them.Just my two cents