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Two "state of LGBT" reports just came out, one today and one yesterday.
Today's is a memo from Joe Solmonese to the HRC Board, a copy of which I was given, on progress made for the LGBT community in 2009. These memoes are usually to discuss organizational accomplishments during the year, and while it does do that in part, the piece also helpfully outlines progress made. What stood out for is (a) the amount of positive efforts from the Administration for the LGBT community in the areas of regulation (b) Very muted criticism of the Administration.
In (a):
- Sec. Clinton extending benefits like diplomatic passports, access to overseas medical facilities, housing allocations, and more for Foreign Service officers.
- HUD regulations that prohibit discrimination in HUD housing programs and FHA mortgages
- The lifting of the ban on HIV-positive visitors and immigrants entering the country, and suspension of denial of green cards for HIV-positive applicants
- Inclusion of LGBT data in the 2010 Census
I mention this mostly because with all the "Democrats suck" talk around New York State and in general, this is all stuff that would never happen in most, if not all, Republican Administrations. And good on HRC for helping get them implemented. Small-ball, but important to remember.
In terms of criticism, Joe briefly mentioned Rick Warren and the DOMA brief. My list is much, much longer than that. In fact, John Aravosis' mile-long list is the best summary out there. I would like to see stronger pushback from our national LGBT organizations. When I interviewed Rea Carey of NGLTF, she refused to call for an apology over Warren, DOMA and other items, and said I'd have to ask the Administration if they believe they made mistakes. We are never going to get past what one colleague of mine calls the "customer service window" of the White House unless we raise hell harder, and demand not just verbal support for major initiatives, but action.
The other report is on LGBT progress over the past decade, released by Movement Advancement Project and the Evelyn & Walter Hass, Jr. Fund. It statistically documents a number of accomplishments as well as lack of progress including laws, HIV/AIDS infections, polling, military discharges and more. Some of the numbers like the polling data don't quite tell the whole story, but the point that stands out to me is the state-based progress. Cleve Jones, who led the National Equality March, made the argument that the state-by-state strategy was "a failed strategy". While I disputed that in this piece on a strategic level, the data show otherwise. It is piecemeal, but there are real accomplishments in terms of laws. 0 states had marriage equality in 2000; 5 do now, and it would be eight with CA, ME and if you include DC. NJ is also a possibility. In 2000, 1 state had anti-discrimination laws based on gender identity; 14 do now. Less than 1% of Fortune 500 companies had such protection; 35% do now. All of this progress helps move things on the Congressional level and in the courts.
It's been a tough year, but we're moving forward.
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