Jun 26, 2009   | COMMENTS     

To the Editors:

Re: “Gay activists, donors to boycott DNC fundraiser” (news, June 19)

The leader of a gay organization who is one of the bold-face names at the Democratic National Committee’s GLLC dinner planned for June 25, from which several hosts and honorees withdrew in protest, asked for suggestions for what he could ask Vice President Biden at the dinner that would result in action. I wrote the leader this reply.

I don’t mean to embarrass anyone into doing anything, and did not mean to embarrass that leader. Nor do I discourage support of Democratic candidates in myriad ways. In fact, I personally do it with zeal. But in terms of sending a message that results in action on LGBT issues, this was my message about the dinner, edited slightly to protect his privacy and to remain current with unfolding events.

You, as one of the bold face names on this event, are uniquely situated among us to send the strongest message for action to the administration by pulling out of the event with a public statement calling for full equality now. This is a unique moment in our movement when the mainstream media views the actions of gay donors as meaningful. It is a unique moment when each leader of a gay organization who drops out is being heard in their demand for full equality now.

We all have opportunities to speak to leaders all the time. These private conversations DO NOT motivate the public to get involved. Public displays do. If you withdraw you will not only have your statement covered by all the mainstream press, you will put tacit pressure on the other honored guests to stand by their words of condemnation and withdraw as well. The calls for full equality will grow all week long. The administration will hear that it is as toxic to defer our issues as it is to engage them. And the public will hear that the time to act for full equality is now. You have the unique opportunity to show in a way that has captured the media’s attention that enough is enough. The time for equality is now. No delays. No excuses.

This moment will pass. The media will not be paying as much attention two weeks from now unless you and your fellow honored guests start something that continues to feed the news cycle. You can’t do that alone. The public has to grab onto this story and make it live. You have the opportunity to catalyze a growing resentment in the land, to cause people to stand up and say they are mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. That’s a very privileged moment and one you should seize while you have it.

So I say don’t ask Biden to act. He can’t. Instead take action. You will not be the last to withdraw but you can make a statement that will be repeated in each subsequent news report. That would be the most effective thing to motivate action within the administration and without, in my opinion.


JEFFREY H. CAMPAGNA
New York

Editors’ note: The writer is founder of The Power and its petition to expand the Civil Rights Act to
prohibit discrimination against LGBT people (www.ThePowerOnline.org). He is a co-author of The Dallas Principles (www.TheDallasPrinciples.org), a fundraiser for Democratic candidates and a member of Barack Obama’s LGBT Steering Committee.


99 HIV patients on wait list is too many
To the Editors:

It was recently reported that there are 99 people living with HIV/AIDS in the America who are waiting to gain access to life-saving medications through AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs), a federal-state program authorized by the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act. ADAP waiting lists are now reported in Indiana, Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming .

ADAPs provide medications to people living with HIV/AIDS nationwide who are uninsured or under-insured; yet, Congress short-changed ADAPs by $108.9 million this year. Ironically, in 2006 these same deadly waiting lists resulted in deaths in Kentucky, South Carolina and West Virginia. History has shown this problem will only get worse before getting better and Arizona, Arkansas, Hawaii, Kentucky and Tennessee are also bracing for waiting lists. The politicians in Washington need to heed this warning.

I say that 99 people waiting to access life-saving medications in the wealthiest nation is 99 too many. How many times must we call attention to the perpetual funding shortfalls by the federal government to this vital program, which not only saves money but also saves lives? If this trend ...