Pam Spaulding has a complete report on the Human Rights Campaign's weekend Carolinas Gala. The dinner was held in Raleigh, where native son and American Idol Clay Aiken was one of the celebrity guests, along with actress Meredith Baxter and Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first U.S. military service member wounded in the Iraq War.
Their speeches—Clay's is very strong, btw—WHEN YOU JUMP ...
Spaulding writes: "The celebratory mood here was kind of interesting, since the one thing that could be focused on (other than reaching fundraising goals) is that hate crimes legislation was passed at the federal level. Alas there is so much more to be done.... Did you know that the Carolinas gala is the second-largest fundraiser for HRC nationwide. When I see the room filled with so many people who clearly feel committed to LGBT equality at this gala, it is the kind of support that state and local organizations need to see as well."
Despite muddled and conflicting signals from the White House, the Pentagon and Congressional leadership, HRC President Joe Solmonese promised "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" would be repealed this year. Solmonese also agrees with the netroots that pro-gay legislation must be enacted before November. Said Solmonese: "And finally, finally this year we are going to bring down the discriminatory policy known as 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'...once and for all. I also get that there is a drumbeat coming from our community to put more pressure on, to make more demands of the President and members of Congress to get it done this year because who knows what's going to happen at the mid-term elections and frankly they are right and our time is now."
The complete reports are at the Blend.
Watch the speeches WHEN YOU JUMP ...
