From: HRTFFL@aol.com Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 13:42:13 EST Subject: Fwd: Birch responds to critics Special Note: I generally forward items like the one below without comment but I think it is important to put this into more context. So many complex issues in our community are dismissed as infighting or petty politics that we often miss the vital message at their core. Both NGLTF and HRC (as well as other national organizations) were taken to task on a number of issues by grassroots activists from around the country during the Creating Change conference. In fact many of NGLTF's harshest critics were given prime time speakers slots to make their arguments. Rather than duck those critics, NGLTF leadership created additional venues to ensure that their board and staff had ample opportunity to hear from those who were angry, had concerns or challenged NGLTF decisions, board composition, strategies etc... In addition, some of the flyers circulated that criticized NGLTF most harshly were typed into NGLTF's own computers and printed on their machines because they were committed to giving other perspectives a full hearing. Many people were tearful during the Creating Change conference. It was a powerful meeting and many difficult and important conversation were had...I will say this also...this was no turf battle...despite profound differences, no one stood up for HRC more than the leadership of NGLTF. When the "maggot" letter circulated, emotions ran very high. While being clear and principled in there disagreements with HRC, NGLTF leaders took every opportunity to encourage constructive conversations with HRC leaders. This work often requires a thick hide--as activists we sometimes will be criticized unfairly and as humans we will also make horrible mistakes that rightfully provoke outrage. Our hides should not be so thick that we can't tell the difference between being personally attacked and having our methods and strategies appropriately challenged. In my mind, NGLTF demonstrated the way to deal responsibly with the concerns of the grassroots activists that national groups purport to represent and I hope they will translate their clear concern into action. Those who spoke up were not simply venting at national groups, they were calling for a newly invigorated movement that values democracy; reaches, respects and responds to the grassroots and builds alliances not simply when they are strategic but because we have a shared vision of a just society for everyone. We have organized on thin ice for years and we have seen those fragile victories shatter or exist perpetually on the brink of repeal. Building a true movement, steadily from the bottom up--supporting the "Hometown Heros" that stay and fight--is the forumla for creating lasting success on solid ground. That message should dismay and disturb the right wing extremists, not the leadership of our national groups. Nadine Smith Equality Florida Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 12:17:04 -0500 (EST) From: Margaret Cerullo Subject: [GLB-NEW] Liz Blows Her Top (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 03:37:26 +1100 From: Paul Canning To: GLB-NEWS@LISTSERV.AOL.COM Subject: [GLB-NEWS] [DATALOUNGE] Liz Blows Her Top Datalounge Gossip November 15, 1998 Liz Blows Her Top The backbiting and political infighting at NGLTF's Creating Change conference in Pittsburgh got a little hot for the delegation representing the Human Rights Campaign. Winnie Stachelberg, the HRC political director, pulled a no show. Though she was replaced by competent and well-spoken professionals, several were reportedly reduced to tears by activists furious at recent political decisions made by the organization. Though Elizabeth Birch was nowhere to be seen, her spirit was much in evidence owing to a much-circulated "open letter" exchange between her and Carmen Vazquez of New York's Gay and Lesbian Community Center. Vazquez pounded HRC's endorsement of pro-life Republican Al D'Amato, calling it "complete capitulation to the right wing" and an "outrageous slap at grassroots activists." It was a repetition of complaints made soon after the endorsement announcement, but Birch apparently had reached her limit. Saying she had "grown tired of the misrepresentations and mindless attacks from a handful of people in our community," she struck back. Hard. After calling Vasquez's commentary "destructive" and "irresponsible," beneath Vazquez and "beneath all of us," Birch wheeled out the verbal equivalent of the hydrogen bomb. "Her words, and words like them, remind me of what maggots do in a barrel of rice. When they finish consuming the rice, they begin to consume each other." By Saturday, the slogan, "Maggots of the World Eat Rice" was being bandied about the Westin Hotel lobby, eateries and elevators. "Maggot Faggot" was scrawled on at least one commandeered tee-shirt. Plans to mail boxes and bags of rice to HRC headquarters were well past the planning stages. Reports of the growing strain on Ms. Birch are making their way through the velveted corridors of power, and the storm shows every indication of growing stronger now that the NGLTF conference has closed. Batten down the hatches - this may get a little rough. -- |: Paul Canning canning@rainbow.net.au ® http://www.rainbow.net.au/~canning >Queers for Reconciliation http://reconciliation.queer.org.au ® Jan Kneen-McDaid http://www.rainbow.net.au/~canning/jan.htm >: "I don't tell all and sundry about my private life. Why should [Ministers]? If we do demand to know, the next step will be for doctors to have to tell patients if they are gay. Where will it all end? Will the milkman have to say if he is gay or not before he delivers a pint of milk?" Pensioner Olive Moreton, 72, of Dagenham, allegedly quoted in the Daily Mirror speaking 'for the nation's compassion and common sense' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign off of GLB-NEWS send the command SIGNOFF GLB-NEWS to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.AOL.COM