Gay Today | Gay News, current events, entertainment, stories and features

The Human Rights Campaign:
Hoping for a Benign Bush?

Scott Miller Raises Concerns about a New 'HRC Unreality'

Disturbing Op-Ed by Human Rights Campaign Director

Compiled by GayToday
Courtesy of Scott Miller

HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch

Washington, D.C.--Scott Miller, GLBT news feed service provider and astute commentator, critiqued an Op-Ed from the Washington Post yesterday that he received, he says, from several sources. Mr. Miller's criticisms of the Op-Ed explain that:

"It is a position piece from Elizabeth Birch of the HRC which they curiously sent out as an Action Alert. About the only action I see taking with this message from Birch is 'hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.'

"I understand that the HRC now wants to get over their grieving process and go for a better seat at the White House table, but does Ms. Birch need to ignore reality in her concession pep talk? For example, in her painting of King George as a moderate on glbt issues, Birch makes this remarkable assertion:

'President Bush has largely tried to sidestep gay issues throughout his public career. When he has been pinned down on issues, he mostly tries to balance his positions by trying not to appear intolerant, yet not alienating his socially conservative base. He has commendably stated he will not discriminate based on sexual orientation. However, his statements have consistently been tempered with implications that homosexuality is a private matter underscoring the inequity contrasted by heterosexuality being an obvious public matter. Despite his strategy of avoidance, President Bush has taken a few positions as governor and during his campaign that are not gay-supportive, most notably his support in the spring of 1999 for a law that would ban gay people from adopting children.'

Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:

Activism in the Bush Era (Part 1 of a 4-Year Series)

The Scary Case against George W. Bush, GOP Candidate

America or Amerika? What If the Republicans Win?

Related Sites:
Human Rights Campaign

GayToday does not endorse related sites.

"A 'few positions' that 'are not gay-supportive?' And Birch does not even refer to Dubya's support and endorsement of Texas' anti-gay sodomy statutes. Is she kidding? When Bush approves of a law whose sole purpose is to criminalize gay sex how could the head of the HRC leave this out in arguing for conciliation?

"Then again the HRC was rather careful not to alienate Elton John over the Eminem affair, weren't they? After all, I am sure they do not want to lose an opportunity to receive some of those generous donations.

"I am not saying we need to be nasty and contentious in the next 4 years, but how about a little honesty. Portray Bush as the way he should be portrayed and hold his feet to the fire. The ridiculous picture that the HRC paints only serves their interests. Log Cabin Republicans, make room at your table for some guests who want in.

"Someone may want to inquire of Elizabeth Birch, if as she says, Bush truly sees homosexuality as a 'private matter,' why he supports laws that criminalize private gay sex?

"No wonder our community suffers from apathy. Where are our leaders with fire and vision? For starters, take a stroll over to the NGLTF."