On January 15, 2012, the Triangle branch of the North Carolina Steering Committee of the Human Rights Campaign held a wine and dessert meeting in appreciation of its existing Federal Club members. Held at the LGBT Center of Raleigh, the function allowed Federal Club-level donors a unique opportunity to get an update on happenings with HRC, the progress made in opposition to Amendment One, and to hear more about the Gala Dinner from committee members from Charlotte. In addition to hearing about opposition to the Amendment, there was an opportunity to hear about the steps HRC had already taken to oppose the anti-marriage amendment set to be voted upon on May 8, 2012.
“The Federal Club donors provide a lot of support to the Human Rights Campaign, and we want to make sure that they are recognized and kept informed of issues important to LGBT equality,” Federal Club co-Chair Jeffrey G. Marsocci said. “Not many people realize that HRC already provided a lot of assistance in helping Equality NC fight the anti-marriage amendment even getting on the ballot. HRC national gave Equality NC $100,000, six paid employees, processed thousands of postcards, and made more than 4,600 phone calls and e-mails to stop the amendment from even getting on the ballot. Now that HRC, Equality NC and other groups opposed to Amendment One have come together to form Protect NC Families, HRC has committed to giving another $100,000 to help with those efforts.”
The Federal Club is a recognition program for HRC donors who give between $1,200 and $4,999 annually, and whose contributions are used primarily for HRC’s equality efforts. Because some or all of the Federal Club donations will be used for lobbying efforts, those donations are not tax-deductible. However, HRC donors of $5,000 or more are considered major donors whose donations are tax-deductible and go to HRC’s foundation for educational and other charitable purposes. More information on HRC’s Federal Club Program can be found at http://www.hrc.org/support/hrc-federal-club
In addition to HRC Federal Club members, in attendance was HRC National Federal Club staff person Tedd Lesch, LGBT Center Executive Director James Miller, Protect NC Families Co-Chair Sean Kosofsky, and LGBT Center Chairperson Glen Medders.