HRC cannot get with the program

I cruised over to HRC just to see what they had about the weekend rallies:
This was the nationwide coverage.
DC coverage

Compared with these two stories, I had more pictures on my blog from DES MOINES FUCKING IOWA.

So I looked to make sure I wasn't missing something about the HRC lack of coverage. JoeMyGod, Chris Crain, Pam's House Blend, Andrew Sullivan etc had lots of great content about the weekend rallies all over America and their view about HRC's role in gay advocacy. The summation of my small sample - HRC is largely ineffective.


The summation of the few gay blogs that I cruise by is clear - Stonewall 2.0 is about the viralcy of the web to tap into the discontent of the gay community looking to enter the next phase of advocacy for equality.

From Jimbo:

Wow, looks like somebody sent out press releases to the media and politicans. With the speed and viralcy of the event, I was worried if some of us may have forgotten to tell anyone else we were protesting.

I find it hard to believe that the rallies all across America could be arranged and executed so quickly. But then again - that is the web for you. It is a disruptive technology that is being used to tear down the old facades of power (i.e. control and distribution of content).

I think the web should be used to coordinate a March on Washington - no need for messy platform meetings and fashioning a message. Just get the gays together in one spot and on one day and let them tell America and the leadership what they need.

HRC continually tells us (the gays) that they are working for us. Really? If the content of their website three days after the rallies is any indication, then donations rank higher on the website than direct action.

Not that I am surprised. Their role appears to be how to use our money to cozy up to Congress. While I'd like to believe that might impact our movement somehow - let's look at what Congress has managed to do in the past two years of Democratic control.

1) Increase minimum wage
2) Pass the Farm Bill (Pork, pork and more pork)
3) Pass the bailout package for the investment banks (Tax hike for everyone!)

Don't see anything in there about GAYS! ENDA (crickets chirp). Civil unions (the crickets are still chirping). Protection for discrimination of gays in the workplace (damn crickets).

The effect of Stonewall 2.0 is to show that there are a lot of gays out there who want and desire change. If we can have rallies for No on 8 in Memphis, Tucson, Des Moines, Raleigh, and many other medium sized cities in addition to very high profile rallies in the big urban centers - it is clear that there is a nationwide need for leadership and change. Is HRC interested? Not based upon their website.

There is popular discontent that extends beyond the political games inside the Beltway - and it needs to be harnessed and focused for positive change. Don't plan on the HRC leading the charge - it is MURDER on your pumps to stand outside and actually PROTEST. It is just so retro to stand and shiver in the cold - when it is so warm in the halls of Rhode Island Ave busily collecting donations for the next HRC dinner.

Boycott HRC and participate in direct action on the streets. The rallies this weekend got coverage from all angles - much more than I have ever seen HRC get.

Posterboard: $2.50
Markers: $4.00
Visibility: Priceless