At Charlotte's LGBT Welcome Party

Last night I attended Unity Charlotte, a rather swank welcoming party for the hundreds of LGBT delegates and activists attending the DNC. In the house were many boldface names such as former HRC head Joe Solmonese, former Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Brian Ellner, Clinton White House advisor Richard Socarides, New York Assemblyman Harry Bronson, Q Notes editor Matt Comer, and Stonewall Democrats president Jerame Davis and his partner, Bilerico founder Bil Browning.

We were welcomed by Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, who opened by denouncing Amendment One before ticking off Charlotte's accomplishments in LGBT rights, including the recent adoption of domestic partner benefits. Entertainers included disco queen Kristine W, lesbian comic Suzanne Westenhoefer, the Charlotte Pride Woodwind Quintet, and the local gay chorus. Great night and I got to meet a lot of JMG readers! Big thanks to my longtime San Francisco pal Ron Vereen for fetching me from the wilds of rural South Carolina. Hit the slideshow for more names and faces. Full screen photos here.

AFER Founder Chad Griffin Will Succeed Joe Solmonese At Human Rights Campaign

American Foundation for Equal Rights co-founder Chad Griffin has been hired to succeed Joe Solmonese as president of the Human Rights Campaign. Via press release:

Chad H. Griffin was appointed today as the next president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, by the organization’s Board of Directors. Griffin, a national communications and policy strategist, is widely credited for being the mastermind behind the federal lawsuit to overturn California's Proposition 8, which has now been ruled unconstitutional by two federal courts. Griffin’s appointment follows an extensive six month search by the board that included the consideration of over one hundred diverse and extremely well-qualified candidates from the worlds of business, academia and activism. Griffin will assume his new responsibilities on June 11, 2012. Current HRC president Joe Solmonese will continue to lead the organization until that time.

It was Griffin who hired the unlikely legal team of Ted Olson and David Boies to spearhead AFER's successful court battle to have Proposition 8 declared unconstitutional.

Joe Solmonese Joins Obama Campaign

Outgoing Human Rights Campaign head Joe Solmonese has been named one of 35 national co-chairs of the Obama reelection campaign. The Advocate notes that the HRC endorsed Obama last May:

Citing the president’s record on such accomplishments as “don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal and hate crimes legislation, Solmonese said in a statement, “President Obama has made it clear that LGBT Americans deserve a fair shot and has taken steps across his Administration to make the lives of those most in need in our community better. As a national co-chair, I am determined to do whatever I can do to help reelect President Obama so this progress can continue for our community."

On the list of co-chairs with Solmonese are current and former state governors, big city mayors, and former members of the Obama administration. And Eva Longoria?

HRC Posts Ad For Solmonese Successor

Read the entire job description.

HomoQuotable - Matt Foreman

"Over 18 years, as executive director of a local, a statewide and a national organization, I saw firsthand how HRC had a tendency to undermine movement unity. They would undertake new initiatives or announce unhelpful positions in policy areas where they had little or no expertise; they were unnecessarily vague and secretive about meetings they were holding and about people and organizations they were working with; they would take credit for things in which they'd never even been involved. In talking with dozens of leaders in the movement, I have heard these same types of complaints again and again. People say they are reluctant to share core work, contacts or strategies if HRC is in the room (and it's clear that HRC feels the same way about others)." - Former NGLTF head Matt Foreman, in a discussion on how the Human Rights Campaign might improve under their coming new (and as yet, unnamed) leader.

Read Foreman's entire article.

Obama's Speech To The HRC

With the introduction by outgoing HRC president Joe Solmonese.

Joe Solmonese Stepping Down At HRC

Pam Spaulding has the big scoop that longtime Human Rights Campaign head Joe Solmonese will be stepping down at the end of the year.

His departure also signals, according to our source, the beginning of a larger staff shake-up in the HRC. The Blend can also report that a replacement executive director has been identified -- it will be someone who is not currently on the HRC's staff, but is currently a paid consultant that has worked with the civil rights group for some time. During his tenure, the Human Rights Campaign has become a bedrock institution that has played a role in successes -- a hate crimes law passed, the legislative repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell -- the extent of its leadership and success also depends on your point of view and knowledge of the back stories related to the hard work to make these gains happen. We can review and critique the effectiveness of Solmonese's tenure in the growth of the organization and political savvy in working with the Hill all day long, but it's time to think about the job his successor has in front of him/her.

Metro Weekly reporter Chris Geidner has confirmed Spaulding's report, but says Solmonese's replacement may not come in the way described: "Although Spaulding reported that 'a replacement executive director has been identified,' four sources familiar with the situation describe that portion of the report as inaccurate -- with one saying the process is just beginning and will not be rapid."

HRC's Joe Solmonese: NOM Made A Lot Of Noise In New York But Came Away Losers

HRC Denounces Boehner's DOMA Plan

The Human Rights Campaign has issued a denouncement of House Speaker John Boehner's vow to force the defense of DOMA. Via press release:

“The decision to mount an all-out defense of DOMA is particularly hypocritical given the Speaker’s contention that the President was distracted from focusing on the economy by DOMA,” said Solmonese. In order to defend the constitutionality of Section 3 of DOMA in court, Congress would likely have to make arguments that could include:

· That gays and lesbians have not faced a history of discrimination
· That one’s sexual orientation is in fact relevant to a person’s ability to contribute to society
· That, contrary to the opinion of experts, sexual orientation is something that can be changed
· That, despite widespread laws such as marriage amendments disadvantaging gays and lesbians, they are politically powerful.
· That the federal government is justified in violating the federalist tradition of leaving marriage and family law to the states

“A far right fringe may be calling for a defense of DOMA, but doing so is sure to turn off independent voters,” said Solmonese. “John Boehner should realize that the world has changed since 1996 and fair-minded Americans won’t like what House Republican leaders have to say when trying to justify federal discrimination against some of a state’s lawful marriages.”

Joe Solmonese adds: "House Republican leadership has now shown they’re more interested in scoring cheap political points on the backs of same-sex couples than tackling real problems."

Joe Solmonese On DOMA Backlash

New Federal Rules On Hospital Visitation Rights Have Gone Into Effect

HRC's Joe Solmonese On DADT Repeal Implementation Timetable

HomoQuotable - Pam Spaulding

"Joe Solmonese should do the honorable thing and step down. It is shameful to cash all those checks without the follow through on the job. The White House was never put under serious pressure; the late calls now in the e-blasts for the President to do something ring hollow after the toadying that has gone on for two years.

"As we saw, Reid couldn't get it together in the Senate and the wingnuts will have more control in January. The watered-down repeal doesn't do much of anything at this point (even if it passes as a separate bill during the lame duck session -- good luck with that), and we're still dealing with all the GOP squawking by McCain and others who want a 'do-over' of the Pentagon's implementation report. It's a big f'ing mess because there has been piss-poor leadership by those who are lobbied in government.

"In turn it's the unelected, highly marketed, well-tailored representative of the entire LGBT community, Joe Solmonese of HRC, who also has to be held accountable for these failures. It's clear that those in power had no fear of the vast war chest of HRC being used to turn up the heat." - Pam Spaulding, calling a Solmonese resignation a "New Year's wish for the community."

HRC's Joe Solmonese On DADT Vote

HRC Delivers 150K Petitions To LDS

Clip description via YouTube vlogger Dave Evans:

National gay rights activists on Tuesday delivered a petition letter carrying 150,000 signatures to the Mormon church following an address given by President Boyd K. Packer, a Church Apostle. The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay civil rights organization, collected the signatures after an e-mail alert to members and supporters 20 percent of whom are not lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The response to the alert is the largest in HRC history. The petition letter and signatures were delivered in an 800-page stack to the church's downtown Salt Lake City office building by HRC President Joe Solmonese and leaders from Utah's gay community and a gay Mormon support group.

HomoQuotable - Joe Solmonese

“Words have consequences, particularly when they come from a faith leader. This is exactly the kind of statement that can lead some kids to bully and others to commit suicide. When a faith leader tells gay people that they are a mistake because God would never have made them that way and they don’t deserve love, it sends a very powerful message that violence and/or discrimination against LGBT people is acceptable. It also emotionally devastates those who are LGBT or may be struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identify. His words were not only inaccurate, they were also dangerous." - Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese, responding to Mormon leader Boyd Packer's address to millions of LDS members.

GetEQUAL's Broken Promises Remix

Joe Solmonese Clarifies On Mehlman

After reading last night's JMG post about his Hardball appearance, HRC head Joe Solmonese sends us this clarification on his position on Ken Mehlman.

"As the community has digested the news of Ken Mehlman’s coming out, I believe it’s important for us to move forward and use this opportunity to expand the circle of Americans supporting marriage equality. Last night on Hardball with Chris Matthews I gave a short answer regarding Ken’s coming out saying, ‘the past is the past.’ While I do believe we have to turn the page at some point, I should have given a more thorough response saying that we cannot forget the past and while many are finding it hard to forgive, our future is far more important."

HRC's Joe Solmonese And Some Log Cabin Guy On Ken Mehlman's Coming Out

Joe Solmonese: "The past is the past. We certainly don't have the luxury at this point in our movement to turn away any offer of help." No mention from either of them on the trail of hate crimes, homeless teens, suicides, and broken families left in the wake of vicious Mehlman-led anti-gay ballot measures in twenty-one states. The past is the past and Hitler liked dogs.

2PM: LBGT Town Hall Live On SiriusXM

Michelangelo Signorile will be broadcasting live from the LGBT Town Hall in DC today where noted activists will spar with Joe Solmonese and discuss the future of the movement. With the developments of the last few days, things promise to be VERY lively.

The panelists: National Gay & Lesbian Task Force executive director Rea Carey; Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese; National Center for Transgender Equality executive director Mara Keisling; Servicemembers Legal Defense Network executive director Aubrey Sarvis; former Clinton White House advisor on gay rights Richard Socarides and blogger and activist Pam Spaulding of Pam's House Blend.

GetEQUAL activist Robin McGehee will be among those providing questions from the studio audience. Solomonese was unable to get out of London due to that pesky volcano thingy, but will be participating via video link. You can listen online beginning at 2PM by signing up for SiriusXM's free trial. Mike has promised us video clips after the event's conclusion.