Email of the Day II

A reader writes:

Just wondering if your concern about actual numbers of members of the Human Rights Campaign might not be missing the point. If they did have the huge amount of members they claim, isn't their abject failure to get any kind of pro-gay legislation through Congress all the more indefensible and your initial criticism therefore all the more valid?

Er, yes. But they don't get that ... yet. Readers have asked which gay organizations do good work. I'm reluctant to come up with a list because I haven't done enough research on all the groups. But over the years, I've come to respect SLDN, Freedom To Marry, and Immigration Equality. HRC does next to nothing on marriage, the military and immigration. These three groups have done heroic work on all three issues. On marriage, HRC was actually a key obstacle to progress until they jumped on the bandwagon very recently. That's just my personal judgment, and reflects my own priorities and views. Any donor should do his or her own research before giving.