Joe Solmonese, executive director of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest GLBT civil rights organization, addressed the HRC’s recent successes and current priorities regarding GLBT civil rights legislation, on July 24 at The San Diego LGBT Community Center.

“I think so much of the progress over the year is the result of the work we did a few years back to change the face of Congress, to put more of our friends in charge in 2006, and to really make sure that the LGBT community was a part of making that change,” he said.

In 2006, the HRC donated millions of dollars to the campaigns of “pro-equality” candidates for Congress and mobilized thousands of volunteers and staff to work on those campaigns. In all, the HRC helped elect 18 senators and 179 representatives to the House.

On July 23, the House Military Personnel Subcommittee, chaired by San Diego Rep. Susan Davis, held hearings on the military policy commonly known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” for the first time since it was enacted.

The HRC worked with a coalition of organizations including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to call for the hearing.

While the hearing was not part of any specific legislation, it begins a “conversation with Congress on overturning that discriminatory measure,” Solmonese said.

Also in July, the Senate repealed a 20-year-old ban that barred HIV-positive travelers and immigrants from entering the county, as a clause to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The president is expected to sign it into law.

The HRC had lobbied Congress to repeal the ban, working closely with Sen. John Kerry and Sen. Gordon Smith, and Rep. Barbara Lee.

“As a result of the good work of Sen. Kerry, mine and others, we were able to get a revision into PEPFAR … so [once the president signs the bill] it will be the law and that is a very big deal for our community,” Solmonese said.

Solmonese also touched on the HRC’s support for transgender civil rights.

Working with congressional leaders, including Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), the HRC helped initiate the recent House hearings on workplace discrimination against transgender people.

Solmonese said the hearings happened because of the HRC’s work on the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) last fall.

ENDA, initially introduced in the early 1990s, in its current form, would make it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees based on sexual orientation. In late 2006, the bill was revised to include gender identity and protections for transgender people, thanks to the backing of several GLBT organizations, including the HRC.

But, in the fall of 2007, noting the trans-inclusive bill would not garner enough votes to pass, the bill’s proponents removed language protecting employees from discrimination based on gender identity. The house passed the revised bill in November and it is currently stalled in the Senate. The HRC’s decision to support a non-trans inclusive ENDA brought a fire-storm of criticism against the organization, which emerged during Solmonese’s appearance at The Center, when attendees were allowed to ask questions and express concerns.

“You are letting us down because of your organization’s approach toward ENDA,” said attendee Carolyn Hughes. “You’re creating division within the community. You’re selling us out. You’re selling the whole transgender community short … Just go ahead and take the ‘T’ out of the things that you support.”

Others expressed similar frustrations.

“If the bill is going to pass, it’s going to pass with transgender inclusion,” said attendee David Doan. “If the bill is going to fail, it’s going to fail with transgender inclusion, and I fail to believe it any other way.”

Solmonese defended the HRC’s support of ENDA.

“ENDA would not have gone to a House vote with [protections for transgender people included in the bill],” he said.

Stampp Corbin, co-chair of the local emerging chapter of the HRC, agreed with Solmonese.

“Civil rights legislation is incremental,” he said. “We all need a history lesson. I am an African-American person who has benefited from civil rights legislation. Why didn’t African Americans in 1964 include LGBT Americans in their legislation? Because it wouldn’t have passed.”

Looking ahead at 2008, the HRC’s top priorities are electing Barack Obama in the presidential election, and defeating Proposition 8, the California November ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage.

“I have had many conversations with Barack Obama about his vision of this country, and every conversation he has made it clear to me that he will include us,” Solmonese said. “He has thought deeply and for a long time about issues impacting our community and he has been there for us as a senator and he will be [as president].”

Solmonese also said the HRC has contributed $750,000 to defeating Proposition 8, and has six to 10 staff members working on the No on 8 campaign.