Human Rights Campaign

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HRC logo

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equal rights organizations in the United States, with over 600,000 members. The HRC "envisions an America where GLBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community." [1]

1 Programs, Functions, and Actions of the HRC
2 History and leadership
- 2.1 Leaders
3 Musical merchandising
4 National corporate sponsors
5 External links

[edit] Programs, Functions, and 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 LGBT causes, reviewing scorecards of how lawmakers rate on LGBT issues, and drafting and sending letters to lawmakers.

Additionally, the HRC maintains information on how to come out and information about workplace issues (in the Corporate Equality Index).

[edit] 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, DC at the time, was elected as the first executive director. In October 1986, the HRC Foundation was formed. As with many gay organizations in the 1980s, HRC's membership was devastated by the onslaught of AIDS and they spent much of the decade struggling to hold their ground.

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 then approximately 25,000 members.

The Human Rights Campaign often has a large presence at LGBT-related events such as the Chicago Pride Parade as seen above.

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 and purchased an office building for its Washington, DC headquarters.

This building was purchased from B'nai B'rith International in 2002 for $9.8 million. A large national capital campaign raised over $28 million for the renovation of the building. After over $10 million in renovations, the building is currently valued at over $18 million.

In August 2000, Birch 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. Her successor, Cheryl Jacques, resigned in November 2004 after only 11 months as executive director. In a statement released by the organization, Jacques resigned over "a difference in management philosophy". Incidentally, Birch's partner, Hilary Rosen, former chief executive of the Recording Industry Association of America, was named as interim replacement.

On March 9, 2005, the HRC announced the appointment of Joe Solmonese as the president, describing him as one of the "nation's most accomplished and respected progressive leaders".

The Human Rights Campaign also consists of a Board of Directors and a Board of Governors. The HRCF (Human Rights Campaign Foundation), a non-profit entity, also maintains a separate Board. In December 2004, they named Michael Berman as their Board chair.

[edit] Leaders

Steve Endean, HRC founder (1980–1983)
Executive Director Vic Basile (1983–1989)
Executive Director Tim McFeeley (1989–1995)
Executive Director Elizabeth Birch (1995–2004)
President Cheryl Jacques (2004)
President Joe Solmonese (2005–present)

[edit] Musical merchandising

In 2002, the Human Rights Campaign, in collaboration with Centaur Entertainment, released an awareness album named Being Out Rocks. It was released on October 11, 2002 to celebrate National Coming Out Day that year. It features a cross-section of LGBT and gay-supportive straight artists. Its release was accompanied with signing events at the Times Square Virgin Megastore in New York City and at the HRC Action Center in Washington, D.C.

On February 8, 2005, the Human Rights Campaign released its second CD compilation with Centaur, a 2-disc set called Love Rocks.