A couple of weeks ago, I posted about how the Human Rights Campaign is the most useless, bloated, party-obsessed and self-congratulatory group in all of hairdresserdom, one which does less for hairdresser rights than your typical righteously-indignant teen homo with a Twitter page. Guess what they're planning to celebrate Obama's inauguration? That's right, a huge, lavish party:
The party, being organized by a large coalition of gay-rights groups led by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, promises to feature Cyndi Lauper, Rufus Wainwright, Melissa Etheridge, Thelma Houston and other artists. It will be held at the legendary landmark Mayflower hotel, which, need we even say, is one of the most primo locations in the capital city.
Tickets go on sale next week for the early-bird, recession special price of $350, which, besides the entertainment, includes unlimited Obamatinis, equalitinis and as much Chicago and Hawaiian themed food as you'd like from the buffet. After Dec. 16, prices rise to $375. But it won't get you in the same ballroom as President-elect Barack Obama, since the more casual gala - attire is "festive or formal" - will be an unofficial one.
So all you people who contribute to the HRC, there's where your money goes: air travel and luxury accomodations for Cyndi Lauper, Rufus Wainwright, Melissa Etheridge and Thelma Houston, rental on the Mayflower Hotel (!!), and, of course, HRC executive salaries and tuxedo fund. I'm assuming that a few weeks after the event, they'll have an awards ceremony to bestow medals on the best Obamatini mixologists.
Oh, hey, and that reminds me! Fellow federal employees: it's CFC time again! Never mind what's happening to your 401K, make sure to give HRC even more money*! They need it! It's, you know, charity!
*Update: John points out that HRC isn't, in fact, a charity, so you probably can't give money to them through the CFC. I stand by my opinion, though, that giving them money is a complete waste, unless you really are in it just for the cocktail parties and awards ceremonies. Perhaps this would be a good time to peruse the CFC list for somebody better than the Human Rights Campaign on which to spend your money.
16 comments:
Well, in fairness, it's not charity and they never claim so. It's a political donation and as such is not tax deductible (and they're quite clear about that, as they have to be). Not disagreeing with your basic point but they don't pass themselves off as a faux charity like, say, the Focus on the Family "Institute" which does all the same shit as the main group, but without paying taxes.
Well, right, they're technically a "PAC." They totally give the illusion that they're a charity, though.
I think it's okay for HRC homos to celebrate Obama's victory any way they want.
My sister's partner's mother was a co-founder of the HRC and I know for a fact she has worked her ass off on behalf of gay rights for more than four decades.
If our fellow queers can afford the tickets to attend this ball, more power to them.
I love you Pony, but I think you missed the mark with this post. Skip the party if you want, but don't be a party pooper.
Besides, I think the event would be a perfect occasion to wear your acid green Hushpuppies.
:P
I didn't say it's not OK for the HRC to have a party. My point is that if you want to give money to a group that effectively fights for gay rights, you could do a LOT better elsewhere.
I think you're spot-on, PSP, but maybe suggest some worthy charity? Where does PSP send sparkle dollars to support hairdressers?
Celebrities, wheeeeee !!!
Good for them. Meanwhile, I'll be chilling with friends on Jan. 20 with alcohol. (All my service to country will be done the day before, on MLK Day, so I feel entitled.)
PSP, you're allowed to like or dislike the HRC, but everyone knows that for events like these celebrities pay their travel and lodging expenses themselves and that the money raised eclipses the expenses for the evening. i used to work for a large national non-profit that had parties like these-- they wouldn't hold them if they spent more money than came in.
for the record, i support the hrc. please stick to condi's hairdo, psp.
I should point out here that this is sponsored by the HRC Foundation, which is the 501(c)(3) tax-deductible charity arm of the HRC (there are two other corporate entities too -- it's a thing lots of big political non-profits do). Also, assuming the celebs pay their own way is a rather big assumption that may not necessarily be true. Even if they donate their time/talent, the hotel suite is probably on the event sponsor.
And finally, PSP, you're right on the mark here, and stay on it. Hairdressers need to put their funds and energies into organizations that actually work for them, instead of just running around putting on big shows. A fancy party never kept a queer kid safe in a small town school, and it never kept a trans person from being fired. I'll come off my soapbox now.
I note that HRC is (as Rachel Maddow points out) a "gay rights" organization that is so shy as to not even put the people it supposedly represents in the name of the org. Seems somewhat back-ass to me.
Is this the same hotel famous for certain liaisons between former New York governors and their escorts? If so, how much for the faboo party and a stay in the Spitzer suite???
You are so right. What will this HRC event accomplish for gay rights? Absolutely nothing. It's about lining their pockets.
Please let me know of a legitimate, well-known queer PAC besides the HRC I can give money to.
Oh, wait. There isn't one.
I'm not a joiner myself, but I admire those who give up their free time to work on behalf of my queer rights.
The HRC does have a lot of fancy parties but there's a lot more to them than that. And HRC dues do not fund the parties-one glimpse at the ticket prices tells us what funds them.
Still, my gorgeous Pony Princess, you're entitled to your views even if they are decidedly horsey.
:*
I'm not the biggest fan of HRC, but hello, most of the criticism here is retarded. "What will a big party do for some kid in a small town?" Um, get enough rich queens writing checks to pay for lobbyists to help push ENDA through Congress so if he gets fired from his job at the beauty salon he has some legal rights? "They just have big parties!" Yes, because that's part of the getting-big-checks game.
It's fine to criticize them for being an inept PAC (see: No on 8), but they are a PAC, they've never pretended to be anything but a PAC, and if this is how it works. I don't really care if they're smarmy (they are!) if they get some things done.
And they do. What HRC is good at is giving money to pro-gay candidates so they get elected. Their Workplace project is pretty useful. Their lobbying helped get the hate crimes law passed in the Senate in the 90s. They helped slip some language protection same sex couples into a social security bill a few years ago.
No, not the stuff of excitement and warm fuzzies, but it does have actual effects on people's lives.
man, did they screw up on Prop 8 though.
John, you know I love you, but I don't think the above criticisms are retarded.
But! I think your points above are also non-retarded.
I am *so* tired of the CFC. If I wanted to donate money, I would get a better paying job than the Federal Government!
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