Gravel and the HRC Debate

You may have heard of he contretemps caused by Mike Gravel (he's a democrat running for President, in case you didn't know) being excluded from the HRC/LOGO debate. HRC says he's not a "viable" candidate because he hasn't raised more than $100,000. Somehow HRC views Dennis Kucinich as a "viable" candidate although everyone knows the only way Kucinich will get in the White House is through a public tour.

For the record, Gravel is unabashedly pro-gay marriage, backs repeal of DADT and speaks clearly and forthrightly on full equality for gay and lesbian Americans.

Chris Crain, the vigilant HRC watchdog, gives the HRC a pass on the Gravel snub. He says Gravel would be a "distraction." He makes this comment after he notes that in the previous presidential debate held by HRC in 2003, Sam Donaldson moderated and held the candidates' feet to the fire over the distinction between marriage and civil unions. In the absence of a professional journalist that is unlikely happen in this debate and the candidates will likely be lobbed softball questions by moderators Joe Solmonese and Melissa Ethridge. Crain laments this fact.

But holding their feet to the fire is precisely what a Gravel in the debate could do. Gravel himself nails it:

Ironically I think the real reason why HRC didn't invite me is that I'm too vocal in my advocacy of gay rights. None of the top tier candidates would have been comfortable facing an opponent who consistently points out their refusal to embrace true equality for gays and lesbians. HRC simply bowed to the star factor. It's just a shame that this travesty was perpetrated in the name of the LGBT community.

I don't think this rises to the level of "travesty." I do think it's another example of our largest and most resourceful gay rights organization missing an opportunity to give voice to equality. The equal sign that is their logo looks less and like an equal sign and more like a gymnast's parallel bars upon which Solmenese and his cronies can can cavort to the pleasure of the Democratic party establishment. And perhaps that is the true travesty.