In March of 2006, I suggested to members of the Indianapolis GLBT activist community that they not support the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) fund raisers in the state until HRC fully supported transgender people in hate crimes legislation. I received an email back from Donna Rose, who served on the HRC Business Council.
“There is a significant amount of history to overcome – full of anger, frustration, and distrust. None of us can change the past. However, to believe that things are the same today as they have always been is absolutely and totally wrong. And, as long as I’m involved things will progressively get better. When I see things that I believe deserve criticism I’m not shy about speaking up. But, to make a blanket statement that HRC is not supportive of trans people is just plain wrong.”
Yesterday the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (LLEHCPA) was re-introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). It’s the same bill that passed the House in 2005.
When Senator Edward Kennedy introduced the bill in the Senate, HRC supported it even though it WASN’T trans-inclusive (The version that passed the House had inclusive language). The bill died in the Senate without being voted on.
Today HRC is asking visitors to its website to either ask their Senator to support the bill, or thank them thank if they already support it. Kennedy’s page is shown below:
Currently there is no hate crimes bill introduced to the Senate, so they’re referring to the 2005 bill. We’re supposed to thank Kennedy for CO-SPONSORING A NON-INCLUSIVE BILL!
In 2005 a sign on letter supported by more than 40 of Washington D.C.’s top national organizations was sent to Senator Kennedy’s office requesting that he introduce the fully inclusive House version of the Hate Crimes bill as an add on to the child safety act. HRC refused to sign the letter, saying they wanted to see the hate crimes bill in a conference committee where transgender-inclusive language could have been added.
They refused to confront Kennedy on his non-inclusive bill; now the HRC is asking visitors to THANK Senator Kennedy for NOT BEING INCLUSIVE?!
Donna, if you’re listening, this shell game doesn’t seem like progress to me. It seems like the actions of an organization that is ashamed to advocate for transpeople. Look at HRC’s talking points for the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act. You’ll see no mention of transgender people at all.
Maybe I’m deaf, but I don’t hear your voice.
- Excited
- Fascinated
- Amused
- Bored
- Sad
- Angry
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The HR bill is finally available on THOMAS. It does include gender identity. Though, as you’ve mentioned, the one to be concerned about is the Senate bill. So now we watch, and wait.
The HR bill is finally available on THOMAS. It does include gender identity. Though, as you’ve mentioned, the one to be concerned about is the Senate bill. So now we watch, and wait.
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I find this entire arguement confusing. I’ve tried writing to HRC directly asking for clarification and get none. I don’t know where to look up the bill to read it for myself and don’t understand Chris’s comments on here. Chris seems to be saying that the current bill doesn’t include us but the upcoming one does. When is this inclusive one coming up for vote? Does it have as much support as the noninclusive version? It’s all very confusing to this lay person
I find this entire arguement confusing. I’ve tried writing to HRC directly asking for clarification and get none. I don’t know where to look up the bill to read it for myself and don’t understand Chris’s comments on here. Chris seems to be saying that the current bill doesn’t include us but the upcoming one does. When is this inclusive one coming up for vote? Does it have as much support as the noninclusive version? It’s all very confusing to this lay person
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Hi Jay. Thanks for clarifying. As far as the talking points, if you follow the links, they go to “Talking Points: Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act “Hate Crimes Legislation”. What Chris pointed to was a description of the bill.
“I understand the skepticism, but I agree with Donna — HRC is not the same organization it was years ago when it comes to trans issues”
I never mentioned any years other than 2005 and 2007, so I don’t see how bringing up “years ago” is relevant.
As far as working our butts off, I think we’re all in agreement that on that.
It sounds like Chris is saying the identical version will be introduced in the Senate, so those talking points would describe the same bill.
I understand the skepticism, but I agree with Donna — HRC is not the same organization it was years ago when it comes to trans issues. Let’s see what bill is introduced by Kennedy and when it’s the right one, which I trust HRC that it is, let’s work our butts off to get it passed.
It sounds like Chris is saying the identical version will be introduced in the Senate, so those talking points would describe the same bill.
I understand the skepticism, but I agree with Donna — HRC is not the same organization it was years ago when it comes to trans issues. Let’s see what bill is introduced by Kennedy and when it’s the right one, which I trust HRC that it is, let’s work our butts off to get it passed.