Human Rights Campaign Rock to Win

I'm still pretty exhausted, but I'm trying to upload things as quickly as possible and cut them for blogs.

One event I was able to attend while at the Democratic National Convention was the HRC Concert Rock to Win featuring many performers including Kansas's own Melissa Etheridge, Cindy Lauper, frequent Kansas visitor Rufus Wainwright, Thelma Houston, and Margaret Cho.

The concert began with a short press conference where all agreed that young voters were essential to the election in November. Cindy Lauper said it was important for all people to vote, and that was a key component for her concert with the HRC as well as her national True Colors tour.

"Hopelessness comes out of helplessness. We put the tour together to give information to the people, because information is power, and I strongly believe that this nation was built on the power of the people."

Lauper's endorsement for Barack Obama was announced officially a few days prior to the Democratic National Convention.

"I believe we are at a crossroads and the next ten years will determine the future of this country. . . In particular, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is closer than ever to gaining full equality. We are teetering back and forth right now, and we need to act together to push us in the right direction. What we are asking for is only fair and right. We as a society, LGBT or straight, can show that civil rights are important and discrimination is wrong across the board through our vote. I believe by voting for Barack Obama we will do just that."

Melissa Etheridge agrees, and is frustrated by the mainstream media's focus on what she deems an imaginary rift in her party with regard to LGBT rights. Etheridge had previously asked Senator Hillary Clinton a tough question at the HRC's candidate forum this time last year. Etheridge said she felt "thrown under the bus" in the 1990's during the Clinton administration because of policies such as Don't Ask Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act both supported by the Clinton White House.

When asked about the rift Etheridge adamantly disagreed any existed with regard to the old Clinton administration or any rift from the primary candidates.

"I think it is a dangerous thing that the media has been focusing on 'The Divided Democratic Party: Hillary/Obama' I think that is not true. . . We had an awesome woman and an awesome man to pick from . . .and we came up with Barack Obama and we are all united behind that. And its a fallacy, its a lie, to put out there that we are not."

Lauper agreed encouraging people not to vote "insane."

"I would say, if you want to vote for your pocketbook, which maybe you might. Think of if it's been picked already."

The Human Rights Campaign also spoke briefly about their program that trains young activists, giving them organizing skills that can build a movement of LGBT sensitive political and non-profit workers across the country.

"Generation Equality (GenEQ) is the current crop of high school and college aged Americans. GenEQ is more supportive of queer equality than any generation ever - from widely supported issues like hospital visitation for same-sex couples and workplace fairness, all the way to full marriage equality. But achieving full equality takes action. HRC's GenEQ helps queer youth go from being out to being active by providing the skills, tools and knowledge to make full GLBT equality a reality.

I also caught Melissa Etheridge's performance on the DNC stage Thursday evening.