Transwoman Hired At The HRC?

on the flipside

How many of you would sacrifice a well paying job for "group solidarity?"  

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by: arsenalchick @ Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 07:32:16 AM CDT

I wish her the best of luck.

She'll need it.

What I won't do is criticise her. I've done my own share of Don Quixote impressions, taking on Mission Impossible.

If the HRC is going to change, it will only happen from within. I'm not holding my breath.

There is no situation so complex it can't get even worse

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by: ZoeB @ Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 07:39:41 AM CDT

Civil rights comes incrementally

I too wish her the best of luck.

Don't expect HRC to change. While their decision was controversial to some, they had the correct foresight to recognize the impending train wreck if ENDA were killed when it had the votes to pass with sexual orientation. The backlash against the national non-profits and trans community would have been palpable.

That doomed "united ENDA" strategy came from non-profits in San Francisco, New York and Washington DC. -- not from gay men and lesbians in Huntsville, Alabama or Tulsa, Oklahoma, who were almost thrown under the bus in the name of political expediency.

We need to remember that civil rights protections often come incrementally.

That's the way it will be with ENDA, unfortunately. The trans community needs to lobby their elected representatives on ENDA and educate them on gender identity issues. The gay and lesbian community can't do that.

It means scheduling time-- in person and on their own-- with their rep when they are home in the district, and not relying on hysterical action-alert emails from national non-profits instructing them what to do.

In a perfect world, the votes would be there. They're not. That's reality.

The time is now. Schedule time with your elected representatives and request a meeting on ENDA. Write a personal letter. Bring a family member or friend. Don't rely on testimony before some House committee to swing the votes.

Grass roots effort is where it's at. That's what changes hearts and minds.

I've already written my congressman to support a fully inclusive ENDA.

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by: JJ in Chicago @ Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 08:09:46 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

You are right about the grass roots part.

You said,

The trans community needs to lobby their elected representatives on ENDA and educate them on gender identity issues.

True enough.

The gay and lesbian community can't do that.

Wrong. We can and should--we just may have to educate ourselves a bit first. As can and should our allies.

To focus on where we agree, though, you hit the nail on the head with grass roots. It is a lot easier than one would think to meet with your representatives, if you do it in their state offices, at fund raisers, etc. Even if you don't have time to say any more than "Please support inclusive ENDA" or "thank you for supporting inclusive ENDA", when enough people say it, it matters.

Statistically, as has been posted here multiple times, the majority of voters favor inclusive federal ENDA. We just need to get that across to our representatives.

susanferman.wordpress.com

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by: Susan_F @ Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 16:09:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Clarification

I agree, the gay and lesbian community should certainly lobby on behalf of a trans-inclusive ENDA.

However, it is equally important for trans-folks as Americans doing their civic duty to lobby on behalf of legislation that directly impacts them.

We can support them as allies (I have), but sharing one's own experiences is what really can change minds. (Unfortunately, that didn't happen in the years building up to this latest ENDA vote.)

And of course: vote, vote, vote this November!

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by: JJ in Chicago @ Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 18:42:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

From Marti's story it seems she confirmed the news

From Marti's story it seems she confirmed the news by quotes from HRC Business Council Members Diego Sanchez and Meghan Stabler.

Meghan:

"Allyson is a good hire. She comes to the position knowing the challenges that lay ahead. ....I think the hiring of Allyson is a good approach, and that it's worthy of note that the hiring of her was not in reaction to actions happening in San Francisco."

I do agree with you - one person on staff is no substitute for credible policies and consistently applying them. It's probably worth noting that this is the first time in thier history that they've hired an out transwoman. This is something most lgbt groups in my city did well over a decade ago. I hope the organization won't leave her the only transperson on staff. Their staff should reflect the diversity of the community.

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by: Kathleen @ Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 09:10:16 AM CDT

HRC "Hasn't Really Changed"

My favorite quote lately is "History never repeats itself but it rhymes."  The story of civil rights in America has been a series of progressive organizations who gain some support and power and then decide to opt for incrementalism throwing large numbers of their supporters under the bus and lobbying for more rights for the privileged few who have become politically acceptable in the myopic view of the privileged few.  

Unlike JJ from Chicago I will not try to justify HRC's discrimination because they thought it was expedient.  History has been around long enough for all of us to have learned from it.  HRC is a morally bankrupt, thoroughly corrupt organization in the eyes of transpeople nationwide.  Transfolks are not known to be a monolithic culture however on this one issue there is wide agreement HRC can never be our representative no matter what tokenism they engage in.

History never actually repeats itself -but it rhymes, (Twain)

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by: cybelline1 @ Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 09:12:46 AM CDT

Just to state the obvious...

Given HRC's record on this, any LGB who thinks this is "just" a trans issue would be wise to take into consideration that the next time they decide that it is politically expedient to throw someone under the bus, it could be you or me.

susanferman.wordpress.com

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by: Susan_F @ Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 16:14:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

a deeply committed activist - that is Allyson

I am aware of her , from other settings. She is the gal for the job. Believe me. She deserves our support. If anyone has the thick enough skin, the depth of knowledge and committment to social activism it is HER. She is a peace maker BUT not a sell out. Hopefully we can see this as a sacrifice on her part stepping up to the plate..because we the TG/TS need to be there. She is an outspoken person with some special qualities and wisdom that will make sure this bohemah does not continue to sweep us under the rug. She will give it her very best shot with eyes wide open. She is abolutely politically astute. in other words she is no susan stanton by any means. In my humble opinion - i feel gratitude that she has taken on this odious task. Look Solidarity means this supporting each other. WE need a multi pronged approach - HRC is a 30 million dollar PAC , it doesn't mean - we have to send them our money - but million of lgb people DO ! They the HRC drawf the NCTE or even the National Lesbain and Gay Task Force at 10 million - our boycott will not starve the HRC out of existence..

lets wish Allyson the best of Luck - she knows full well what the M.O. of the HRC is - and yet she is going to bat with for US - it does not deminish the work or actions of those who have resigned for good reasons..nor does it mean we ought to let the HRC not hear from us or deal with us at their table..

 Allyson is no shrinking violet..I too wish her the very best of luck ! and thank her for taking on this odious task.

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by: proudprogressive @ Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 12:20:49 PM CDT

Allyson is not Wonderwoman

Allyson may have the strength of Superwoman, the brain of Einstein, the political knowledge of all the Founding Fathers together.  She may be all the things you say she is and that's all well and good.  But, she isn't going to change HRC.  Remember, she gets a paycheck from HRC.  They are her bosses.  I don't know of any corporate job where you can tell you bosses that they need to change the direction of their policies.  Does the words "Your fired" sound familiar to any of us?  (Duh.)

Donna Rose was on their Board, the group that actually makes policy and she couldn't change them.  Donna is also no shrinking violet and look what happened to her.  She went toe-to-toe with Joe Solmonese and it didn't do a damn bit of good.  As an employee, Allyson will not have the luxury to tell Joe he's wrong.  She is in a less effective position than Donna was, so how is she going to help?  You would have better luck getting hit by a meteorite then having her change HRC from that position.

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by: MonicaH @ Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 21:42:18 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

paychecks and job descriptions

I read the press release and I didn't see "Change HRC" as a job duty, and I think it's asking a bit much to expect such a change, especially if Rose felt she was ineffective at the director level.

Allyson is quite capable of doing the job she was hired to do, with passion and intelligence, and it's a fine starting point, if you ask me. No one is apparently going to treat this as anything other than an olive branch, so why not just see what the associate director of diversity can do over the next year.

I'm assuming your vehemence about bosses, paychecks, and that sort of thing has more to do with your frustration at the HRC and its tactics than with Allyson's desire to take on her job duties.

I don't know if HRC will change fundamentally, and I don't care, frankly. I do expect trans* topics coming out of the HRC  to be more visible, and that's fine with me.  

Joyce


jmcl.wordpress.com

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by: Joyce @ Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 18:51:44 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Wait and see.

Since I've never met Allyson, I can't comment on her qualifications or reasons for taking the position with HRC, though I wish her well.  

Having worked in and around the glbt community for 25 years I am deeply suspicious of everything HRC does and long ago gave up any hope for their being a progressive voice that recognizes the diversity of glbt communities.  Insider, elitist,and condescending are the nicest words I would use to describe them.  Last year's cave-in on transgender inclusion simply reaffirmed this attitude.  In my opinion, the best thing the organization has done is give us the widely recognized yellow equal sign on a  blue background as an alternative to that damned rainbow.

So now that I've established my bona fides as an HRC-basher, let's see what kind of lemonade we can get out of this fruit basket...

I agree with Autumn that this is damage control by HRC, and I say GOOD!  The fact that they feel the need to do damage control is an indication of the growing stature and power of the transgender lobby.  If you weren't becoming an important center of power, HRC would ignore you.  Just like Barney Frank used to. Own that you have the power and use it for your ends.

As for the criticism that it was only non-profits in the big coastal cities that made a fuss about an inclusive ENDA -- you're mostly right.  It's another reason why HRC is changing its position.  A huge amount of HRC's funding comes out of New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles.  These urban centers are barometers for glbt rights. From basic non-discrimination to domestic partnership, access to insurance for partners to full marriage rights -- the big cities are where we get a foothold, then we all get to fight like hell to make them a widespread reality.  

With all respect to the incredibly strong and brave people working working for our rights in small towns across the vast center of the country, these big cities have the money and are the trendsetters.  In San Francisco, Seattle, and New York and other progressive communities, gender expression and gender identity is teed up (sorry, couldn't help myself) as a major issue.

If HRC feels the need to assuage the justified anger of the t-community and it's glb allies, then I say good. Hiring their first T-staff person is an important step, but it's only the first step on a long road to credibility on trans issues.  

I'm still giving my money to NGLTF and Victory Fund and GenderPac, but HRC is still the most widely recognized voice for glbt issues inside the DC beltway.  It is useful to have them on our side.  It's partly up to us to continue the pressure so that the hiring of Allyson Robinson isn't simply a token gesture. Our best course of action is to support Allyson when she is fighting for trans-inclusion from the inside, and to keep the pressure on her to make  make certain that she does.

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by: Smartypants @ Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 14:01:22 PM CDT

Disagree with your agreement of United ENDA criticism

This is slightly off-topic, but I needed to respond to your giving credance to a criticism that I take issue with.

Most if not all of the state Equality groups (including mine, Equality Ohio) signed onto United ENDA.  Many local Stonewall Democrats chapters (including mine) also supported a fully inclusive ENDA and were in touch with their Congressional representatives to make sure they knew that.

The folks who I have heard and read that accused United ENDA of being only big city non-profits were people who themselves were from big coastal cities.  In my community, and in many other smaller communities, the trans community is an active and acknowledged member of the GLBT community, simply because we are smaller and it takes every single one of us who is willing to be public and willing to do the work to make progress.  Just as smaller communities never had as complete of a split between the lesbian community and gay male community as the big cities did before AIDS, the trans community and GLB community are not isolated from each other.

Obviously, there are a lot more challenges in smaller communities where we have no legal protections.  But one of the characteristics that I have always valued is that we also are typically less splintered as a community.

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by: OH les @ Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:41:16 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

has HRC become human ? or not.

She hasn't been announced on a web HRC web site? Is She speaking officially for HRC? Has she in fact been hired by HRC? Is Joeso bringing a transgender religious figure to extend the HRC tentacle into yet another facet of the transgender experience?
Has Joeso found another transgender human for the HRC meat grinder?

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by: kellib @ Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 09:07:17 AM CDT

Just what HRC needs ...

a solid madre with a clear understanding of right and wrong.

So far as I'm concerned this is HRC showing it's interested in starting on its way back to civilisation from the well-deserved wilderness.

Good on HRC for hiring her,

good on the Rev for getting a straight job (if that is the correct term),

and good on the trans population of the US for upgrading their representation.

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by: Nettie @ Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 13:22:19 PM CDT

HRC Press release

HRC has put out a press release announcing her hire.  They put it out yesterday.

Allyson Robinson Named Human Rights Campaign Foundation Associate Director of Diversity
Longtime activist, ordained minister Robinson to lead organization's work on transgender issues

WASHINGTON-The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation's largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights group, today announced that Allyson Robinson has been named Associate Director of Diversity of the organization. Robinson, a longtime activist and ordained minister, will lead HRC and its volunteer base in promoting awareness of transgender issues and ensuring that all program areas demonstrate measurable commitment to transgender equality and inclusion.

"I am delighted that Allyson Robinson has joined the HRC team and I am eager to begin the hard work of educating the public and our elected officials about transgender issues with her," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "Allyson's background of facilitating communication and fostering meaningful relationships make her the ideal person to fill this crucially important role."

"Advocacy to me means being a voice for the voiceless by ensuring their perspectives are heard and their needs fully considered," said Allyson Robinson, the new HRC Associate Director of Diversity. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to join HRC at this crucial moment in its support of full inclusion for the transgender community, and look forward to working with HRC Steering Committees and in partnership with other fair-minded and LGBT-inclusive organizations to lead that effort nationally."

Allyson is a 1994 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she majored in physics. She received her Master of Divinity degree in theology, with a capstone emphasis in Social Justice, from Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary in 2007. Prior to her transition, she pastored congregations on two continents for nine years.

Robinson's hiring has been applauded by leaders of the transgender community.

"Allyson is a committed activist for trans people and the people who love them," said best-selling author Jenny Boylan. "A lot of work needs to be done to mend fences between HRC and the trans community, and Allyson, by dint of her dedication, compassion, and articulate insight, is the one to do it. I am sure her wisdom, poise, and humor will do well for all the members of our community, and I wish her all the best."

"Allyson is a great addition, and as someone who works closely with HRC nationally and locally, I'm delighted to add her energy to expand the quantity, quality and awareness of fully inclusive workplaces and to support our diversity initiatives in Boston," said HRC Business Council and Steering Committee member Diego Sanchez.

"Allyson comes to the position with my full support. Her ministerial teachings and learning, combined with her West Point training will be a great asset to HRC and the LGBT community where she will be able to listen to hearts and emotions of all people", said Meghan Stabler, HRC Business Council and HRC Houston Steering Committee member. Stabler continued, "As a transgender person, she will be able to educate internally within HRC and externally with the community and allies on key issues, including HRC's call for an inclusive ENDA."

Robinson was selected to be Associate Director of Diversity following a four-month national search.

"The idea to create this new position came to life in spring 2007, just weeks into my new job. I envisioned strengthening HRC's capacity to fulfill our stated commitment to transgender equality and inclusion," said Cuc Vu, HRC Chief Diversity Officer. "Allyson now rounds out our diversity team and we will continue striving to meet our goals."

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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Be sure to see what we've got to say over on http://www.bilerico.com

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by: bilerico @ Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 08:11:23 AM CDT