The Battle in Virginia

Across the river, a fight is brewing over a constitutional ballot initiative that is one of the most anti-gay ever proposed. If passed by the voters, it would create a state constitutional ban on gay marriage, civil unions, and outlaw many of legal protections gay couples have been able to cobble together.

And where is the Human Rights Campaign?

Today's WashPo reports poll numbers that show defeating the measure, while not easy, may not be impossible.

When respondents were read the arguments on both sides of the question, enough voters showed a willingness to reconsider that the gap narrowed to a virtual tie -- 48 percent said they supported the measure and 47 percent opposed it, within the poll's margin of error of three percentage points.

Again, where is HRC?

I searched the venable gay civil rights Web site for information about what HRC is doing...and couldn't find anything. HRC does not even have a "steering committee" in the Old Dominion.

This reinforces my perception that HRC is an effective fundraiser but a lousy grassroots organizer. I'm not even sure they try. In 2004 they rolled over for John Kerry, used the dead-on-arrival Federal Marriage Amendment to raise money and get media attention, meanwhile, 11 states passed same sex marriage bans.

The community needs a powerful civil rights organization that can mobilize the grassroots in states where rights are being stripped away -- like in Virginia. Unfortunately, as far as I can see, HRC is missing in action.

But man, they throw fabulous dinner parties.