Time To Change... opiates!

It’s TIME TO CHANGE
the conversation

So heads the latest Human Rights Campaign fundraising e-mail to me. To the side I can see what appears to be the peak of a house of faith, and just below that there’s a picture of Joe Solomese, and his personal appeal to join him. How do I join him? Send him $40 (or more) and I’ll get my very own “Claim your Faith” sticker!

Proselytizing? I not about to tell you to “claim your faith” with some sticker that also serves as my public receipt for the contribution of $40 (or more). I guess I'm to put it on my NPR tote-bag. (I'd hate to be accused of not being a team player!)

On this single page solicitation, Joe includes no less than five links to contribute (all major credit cards accepted). Between these many links there is no serious request for me to do anything myself. I’m assured I can leave all the actual doing in the capable hands of my HRC staff.

The idea that there can be any real campaign for human rights that badgers people to claim a faith is troublesome.

More sinister is this implicit contention that one can effect broad cultural change through hiring a professional lobby. Joe doesn't need you and I to stand up to nutty church fanatics individually, he needs us to send him money!

It's so easy! No need to leave your closet. No need to make an ugly scene ala Queer Nation. Just pay Joe and the HRC to do it. Well, OK, they aren't going to do anything so bold either. But it sure makes you feel better. Praise the Lord!

HRC: the new opium for the new gay and lesbian masses.