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|  | Feature HRC Steering Committee Fights For Equality For Utah gays and lesbians who find themselves worried over upcoming legislative sessions—in Washington D.C. and in Utah—that may end up passing anti-gay laws, there’s hope in a 25-year-old organization that’s now well-established in Salt Lake City: The Human Rights Campaign.
The Human Rights Campaign, or HRC, with close to 600,000 members nationwide, came to Utah a year and a half ago and established a “steering committee”—a group of Utah volunteers who, together, by working with local gay-friendly organizations, seek to create a more gay-inclusive social and political environment in the state.
Last year’s Utah legislative session was ugly for gay people; anti-gay legislation passed through the house and senate, most notably the state constitutional amendment that bans any sort of legal recognition for gay couples.
But during last year’s struggle, thanks to the HRC Steering Committee, thousands of Utahns were made aware of important issues facing the gay community in Utah, and a fresh wave of pro-equality activism was set in motion.
Michael Marriott, a member of the HRC National Board of Governors and active member of the Salt Lake Steering Committee, says that HRC’s success in Utah is found in working with other local organizations.
“We partner locally with groups such as Equality Utah, the Stonewall Democrats, and the Log Cabin Republicans. We help bring in a national perspective, such as arranging a visit from Judy Shepard for a hate crimes discussion,” said Marriott.
Marriott says that much of HRC’s work is often done behind the scenes.
“People often think of the work HRC does on a national level, such as lobbying capital hill on a daily basis. But our work in the steering committee helps keep HRC money local, and has an impact in our communities here at home,” said Marriott.
For the Steering Committee, there’s no place like home.
“We make a difference through house parties in people’s homes,” said Marriott, “Parties in local resident’s homes are a great way to raise money and educate our community about what HRC does and what people can do to help.”
Last fall, in the home of Craig Tassainer and Lance Peaock, over 100 new HRC members were signed up at a dinner party, with each new member paying $35.00 to become a member of HRC. But Marriott says that even a small fund-raising party, with as little as five attendees, merits the attention of the Steering Committee, which seeks every opportunity to educate.
“Our mission is education. HRC opened my eyes. Before being involved in HRC, I never really felt like I had a voice. I didn’t realize that I could go and sit with my senator and talk about my rights, say, for example, if my partner were to die. HRC gave me the education I needed to go in and capably speak about issues that are important to me,” said Marriott.
Marriott is excited about the Steering Committee’s upcoming first annual Utah HRC Dinner on June 25. “This is going to be an exciting opportunity to show at large what HRC has done in Utah over the past year and a half,” said Marriott.
But the dinner won’t take place without donations of time and money from the Salt Lake gay community and their allies.
The Steering Committee is made up entirely of volunteers who divide themselves up into sub-committees—political, membership, community events, dinner parties, and a federal club committee. Currently, each committee is made up of just a few individuals, and HRC wants to see the sub-committees grow.
“We are always in need of new volunteers to help,” said Marriott. “HRC, except for the full-time employees in Washington D.C., doesn’t pay anybody. We rely entirely on volunteers.”
One Salt Lake volunteer, Megan Pederson, serves as Administrative Secretary and Web Content Manager for the Steering Committee, and has donated countless hours to HRC.
“I’m working full time, and going to school full time, so time is scarce. But I truly believe in the vision of HRC because it’s a classy organization that fights for equality in a professional way. It’s not in-your-face. They recognize that the gay community is about more than sex. They encourage spirituality. They are about commitment and families. That’s why I’m willing to sacrifice so much of my time,” said Pederson.
Those who wish to become involved in the Salt Lake Steering Committee should call Marriott at 486-7373 or email him at marriottms@comcast.net. | | |
