Earlier this month, I had the honor of being inducted as a member of the Board of Governors for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The confirmation of my appointment came during the Fall board meeting October 1st and 2nd in Washington DC, culminating in the HRC National Gala Dinner at which President Obama spoke. Watch it here.
As part of the body overseeing HRC’s activities in North Carolina, I come into this position just in time to help fight the constitutional amendment on the May 8, 2012 primary ballot. In conjunction with Equality NC and many other allied groups, HRC will take a prominent role in fighting the Anti-Marriage Amendment. Already, HRC devoted significant resources in the fight to keep the amendment off the ballot in the first place. Here’s what HRC has done so far and will do in the weeks to come:
• Provided $100,000 in donations to Equality NC for its lobbying efforts against the amendment
• “Loaned out” six paid HRC staff members to work on the lobbying efforts under the supervision of Equality NC
• Be a part of the coalition of non-profits known as Protect North Carolina Families who will fight the amendment in May
• Raise additional funds to defeat the amendment, either through direct contributions to the new collation
or by providing research and assistance that would otherwise have to be paid for by the coalition
Aside from fighting the constitutional amendment, one of my main duties will be advancing HRC’s Federal Club program to bring in donors who will commit to donating $100 per month or more. And considering the probable cost of fighting the amendment, a lot of help is needed in this area. Plans are already underway to strengthen donation efforts, and a critical part of this will be providing information to Federal Club members on what HRC is doing to help fight the ballot measure.
To quote President Obama, “The battle ahead will be long, but remember nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.” I plan on being there for HRC and North Carolina.