Go Diego Go!

OK, I've been validated for my three day employment with the HRC! I did a good thing!

Here is a copy of the email got from my good friend Diego Sanchez (who is transgendered) from Boston's AIDS Action Committee:

Hi, Kevin.

I will read your blog post when I'm at a computer, but I can tell you that HRC supports 2015, the fully inclusive ENDA bill, which is the bill that you were canvassing for.HRC accepts sponsors ONLY IF they support 2015, while the Congressional Scorecard rated members of Congress on whether they also supported 3685, which includes only sexual orientation ... Which is what Rep. Frank told us was all we had the votes to get in this particular Congress and Administration.Also in Massachusetts, national HRC funds Mass Transgender Political Coalition which is why MTPC is able to fund Gunner Scott, a transman, as its Director.You did nothing wrong, and you work helps sustain MTPC and supports the work to get our new President ad Congress on board to support the fully inclusive ENDA bill.You might not know it, but I was one of 3 individual transgender people who testified before Congress this summer on the topic of non-discrimination for transgender people in the workplace.I am on the Boston Steering Committee of HRC and on its Business Council nationally, getting companies to be scored on how they are able to employ LGB and T people.So, I'll read your note, but you have nothing to apologize for. I have been involved with HRC for 17 years, and I sat involved because they do.Call me with ANY questions, but don't believe all you are told. I'm @ (***) ***-****. I'm in DC but if you want to talk, I'm here.

Warmly, Diego

Apologenic Retraction!

I’m a bit conflicted right now. I’m excited that someone took the opportunity to scroll through my blog and read about my post on my experience working for The Human Rights Campaign.
However, I am disappointed in myself for not doing the proper research into organization before I accepted the job.

Here is the posting from the anonymous reader:

Anonymous said...
The Human Rights Campaign barely cares about Human Rights. They constantly endorse republicans, anti-choice, anti-immigrant, and pro-war candidates. Their endorsements and shameful actions that have excluded the trans community continue to divide progressives.

When accepting the job, I was out canvassing to support a bill that would make it illegal to terminate someone from their place of employment for being Gay or Lesbian from all 50 states. What I was unaware of was this bill, as well as the organization as a whole, excluded transsexuals.

So I would like to post this apology to the anonymous reader for not following through with the proper research or the organization. I thought The Human Rights Campaign included All HUMANS, regardless of sexual orientation and/or identity.

Since I’m being up front about my ignorance, I also would like to apologize to the few transsexuals I have met in the past few weeks. To be more specific the female to male (or FTM’s). When it is disclosed to me about your transition, I notice I do have a tendency to size you up and down. Please be aware that is not because I am freaked out or think less of you.

It’s just Transexualism is still a new concept to me and whoever you went to perform the surgery had done a fan-fuckin-tasic job!

That I had no clue you were born the opposite sex.

So please accept my humble apologies?!