HRC President Talks About Newly Launched “No Excuses” Campaign
The nation’s largest gay lobbying group is calling on its supporters to do some lobbying of their own. The Human Rights Campaign launched a campaign Thursday they’re calling “No Excuses.” HRC wants gay rights supporters around the country to meet with their Representatives while Congress is on recess.
HRC President Joe Solmonese said it’s important for lawmakers to hear from their constituents by phone or e-mail – but it has a much greater impact when constituents meet them face-to-face.
Solmonese: “It’s even more powerful to show up at their district office, and to show up with a dozen or so fellow members of the LGBT Community. Not to just make your case, but to remind them that we are there, and we are there in critical number.”
Solmonese said it it’s important for the gay community to visit even the most LGBT-supportive representatives – to thank them.
Solmonese: “You know, it sounds obvious, but it’s one of those things that sometimes we forget about. And it doesn’t just show a sense of gratitude from the community, it shows a way for us to really demonstrate that we’re paying attention.”
The campaign’s website, NoExcuses.HRC.org, allows users to download a “meeting toolkit” which contains all the information they’ll need – to know where their Congressperson stands, and to schedule a meeting.
-Aaron McQuade
