Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equal rights organization in the United States. The HRC "envisions an America where [LGBT] people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community."
Actions of the HRC
The Human Rights Campaign is a visible entity in U.S. politics. It lobbies Congress for support of LGBT-positive bills, works to build an LGBT-friendly Congress by funding those politicians that support the LGBT community, mobilizes grassroots action amongst its members, and encourages members to employ their right to vote in every election. Through its Website, the HRC also assists members in identifying state and local lawmakers, researching state and local laws regarding issues central to the LGBT cause, reviewing scorecards of how lawmakers rate on LGBT issues, and drafting and sending letters to lawmakers.
History and leadership
The Human Rights Campaign Fund was established in 1980 by Steve Endean to raise money for gay-supportive congressional candidates. Within three months time, the HRC was registered with the Federal Election Commission as an independent political action committee. In 1983, Vic Basile, one of the leading LGBT rights activists in Washington, D.C. at the time, was elected as the first executive director. In October 1986, the HRC Foundation was formed.
In January 1989, Basile announced his departure, and the HRC reorganized from serving mainly as a PAC to becoming a lobbying and political organization. The purpose statement of the HRC became, "For the promotion of the social welfare of the gay and lesbian community by drafting, supporting and influencing legislation and policy at the federal, state and local level." Tim McFeeley, a graduate of Harvard Law, and founder of the Boston Lesbian and Gay Political Alliance and a co-chair of the New England HRC Committee, was elected the new executive director. Total membership was approximately 25,000 members.
In 1992, the HRC endorsed a presidential candidate for the first time – Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton. In March 1993, National Coming Out Day became a project of the HRC. From January 1995 until January 2004, Elizabeth Birch served as the executive director of the HRC. Under her leadership, the institution more than quadrupled its membership to 500,000 members. In August 2000, she became the first leader of an LGBT organization to address the convention of a major political party when she spoke before the Democratic National Convention. Cheryl Jacques is the present executive director. The Human Rights Campaign also consists of a Board of Directors and a Board of Governors. The HRC Foundation also maintains its Board.
Transgender inclusion
Officially, the HRC represents the transgender community. However, it has previously been the target of protests once due to its refusal to demand the inclusion of the transgendered in the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) bill. These objections changed when the organization announced support for an ENDA bill that was inclusive of gender identity, however sparking charges of "trans-jacking" from the far right.
National corporate sponsors and partners
The following companies are the current national corporate sponsors and partners of the HRC:
- Corporate sponsors
- National partners
- Centaur Music
- PlanetOut Partners
See also
