I recently wrote about the lead role the Human Rights Campaign took in the historic transgender hearings, and it looks as if their project win back strategy is coming to fruition. The Human Rights Campaign has hired ordained Baptist minister Allyson Robinson as their Associate Director of Diversity. Here’s Allyson in action:
The HRC website states that:
“This is a regular, full-time staff position reporting to the Chief Diversity Officer. The Associate Director of Diversity will lead the Human Rights Campaign and its volunteer base in creating and promoting awareness of transgender issues and ensuring that all program areas demonstrate measurable commitment to transgender equality and inclusion.”
Called for comment, Massachusetts transgender activist Ethan St. Pierre said of the hire:
“She seems very kind and innocent and I’m sure she’ll do the job that HRC has intended.”
I spoke briefly with Diego Sanchez about the recent hiring. He said that:
“Allison is a great addition to the team. Under the direction Cuc Vu she’ll do a great job.”
Meghan Stabler told me that:
“Allyson is a good hire. She comes to the position knowing the challenges that lay ahead. Challenges that are not internal to HRC, but challenges that exist externally both with the broader community of LGBt, as well as specifically to the transcommunity. What she brings from her ministerial teachings, learnings, and just being out there, is being able to listen and feel the hearts of the people.”
Stabler also noted that:
“She’s not there just to drive things for HRC, she’s there as a trans individual, that just like so many of us, want to move towards an inclusive ENDA. I think the hiring of Allyson is a good approach, and that it’s worthy of note that the hiring of her was not in reaction to actions happening in San Francisco. It’s been in the works for a very long time.”
But some have not been as positive about the hiring. Blogger and activist, Autumn Sandeen said:
“The HRC changed their position on ENDA last fall regarding how inclusive an ENDA bill needed to be to receive their support. The organization hasn’t since changed it back to requiring parity for sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
Hiring a transgender woman without a corresponding change in the HRC’s political policies regarding full inclusion for all legislation the organization supports…Well, I think this hiring is going to be perceived by most transgender people as the HRC engaging in tokenism. If the HRC isn’t going to treat gender identity and expression as having the same level of legislative priority with sexual orientation, then how is a transgender employee at the HRC going to be perceived externally as an equal to the gay and lesbian employees at the HRC?
I personally don’t see how.”
Donna Cartwright added:
“I have nothing against Allyson Robinson, but it’s hard to see how she can reach out to the trans community, given HRC’s current policies on ENDA, as well as HRC’s historically weak record on trans representation on its board and staff.”
Regardless of how it is viewed, this hiring is historic. HRC has never hired an openly transgender woman. It’s obvious that HRC is actively trying to refurbish its image in the transgender community. What is still a question is how the community responds to that push.
- Excited
- Fascinated
- Amused
- Bored
- Sad
- Angry
Related posts:
[quote comment=""][quote comment=""]@ Regina:
Can you name an transgender organization in Washington that doesn’t play with HRC? That’s the problem here, if you want to ditch HRC. They have the political influence and contacts and like it or not, they HAVE to be played with and through, if you go with the organizations that are there.[/quote][/quote]
And that’s ultimately the problem. Ex-HRC aides work in many, many supportive offices on the Hill. They have actively kept T people isolated from Members of Congress for the over 10 years we have attempted to lobby.
As for HRC’s new employee, I wish her luck. Where HRC is concerned, if one has no positive expectations, one can, then, avoid disappointment when nothing positive results. Any good that comes of this will be a pleasant surprise to me. I expect that she is safe and pleasant, will give nice talks at T conventions and HRC dinners, and will not be allowed any input on anything political.
[quote comment=""][quote comment=""]@ Regina:
Can you name an transgender organization in Washington that doesn’t play with HRC? That’s the problem here, if you want to ditch HRC. They have the political influence and contacts and like it or not, they HAVE to be played with and through, if you go with the organizations that are there.[/quote][/quote]
And that’s ultimately the problem. Ex-HRC aides work in many, many supportive offices on the Hill. They have actively kept T people isolated from Members of Congress for the over 10 years we have attempted to lobby.
As for HRC’s new employee, I wish her luck. Where HRC is concerned, if one has no positive expectations, one can, then, avoid disappointment when nothing positive results. Any good that comes of this will be a pleasant surprise to me. I expect that she is safe and pleasant, will give nice talks at T conventions and HRC dinners, and will not be allowed any input on anything political.
[quote comment=""]@ Regina:
Can you name an transgender organization in Washington that doesn’t play with HRC? That’s the problem here, if you want to ditch HRC. They have the political influence and contacts and like it or not, they HAVE to be played with and through, if you go with the organizations that are there.[/quote]
[quote comment=""]@ Regina:
Can you name an transgender organization in Washington that doesn’t play with HRC? That’s the problem here, if you want to ditch HRC. They have the political influence and contacts and like it or not, they HAVE to be played with and through, if you go with the organizations that are there.[/quote]
@ Regina:
Can you name an transgender organization in Washington that doesn’t play with HRC? That’s the problem here, if you want to ditch HRC. They have the political influence and contacts and like it or not, they HAVE to be played with and through, if you go with the organizations that are there.
@ Regina:
Can you name an transgender organization in Washington that doesn’t play with HRC? That’s the problem here, if you want to ditch HRC. They have the political influence and contacts and like it or not, they HAVE to be played with and through, if you go with the organizations that are there.
HRC’s Project Win Back, Part II
Why would anyone in the T-Community be won back to HRC? History has indicated that the T- Community has been passed off by the HRC as disposable, or as a bargaining Chip. That Chip can be used ” for the Greater GOOD!” of the HRC’s main focus! Would it not be better to support organizations that exist already that support the T- Community? There has been more progress on T-issues by our own organizations! Ok the HRC has been very positive for the alternate community ( Other than the T’s) ! Should the T- Community reconnect to HRC? Is that not a bit like going back to an abusive partner? Each individual has to make their own choices! I personally can not be WON Back!
HRC’s Project Win Back, Part II
Why would anyone in the T-Community be won back to HRC? History has indicated that the T- Community has been passed off by the HRC as disposable, or as a bargaining Chip. That Chip can be used ” for the Greater GOOD!” of the HRC’s main focus! Would it not be better to support organizations that exist already that support the T- Community? There has been more progress on T-issues by our own organizations! Ok the HRC has been very positive for the alternate community ( Other than the T’s) ! Should the T- Community reconnect to HRC? Is that not a bit like going back to an abusive partner? Each individual has to make their own choices! I personally can not be WON Back!