HRC announced today the hire of Joe Solmonese as the new HRC President. Solmonese is currently CEO of EMILY's List:
As a key political strategist, Solmonese oversaw one of the nation's most successful efforts to elect progressive candidates by appealing to heartland and mainstream voters. His work included broad outreach across the nation, speaking with large and small groups about the important issues facing the American people.He's certainly got the political experience to run the organization (and hopefully run it like a real organization that is accountable to its donors).
He has been at EMILY's List for the last 12 years serving in several key capacities from deputy political director, to chief of staff and the CEO position he's occupied for the past two-and-a-half years.
In his own words:
"We must tell the stories of our lives and the struggles we face to our straight friends, co-workers and family members. Increasing our presence and visibility across America will be a top priority of my tenure.Let's give Joe a few recommendations. What should our Top 5 priorities be for '05-'06?
"HRC is not simply a GLBT organization; we're an organization of everyone who supports GLBT equality. We'll ask every GLBT American to enlist three new allies - a straight co-worker, a friend and a family member - in our work for full equality.
"We know that we have broad support across the country and we need to ask our friends and families to be involved at the ballot box or talking directly to elected officials.
"Our movement will grow as our unity grows.
"With more Americans of both parties on our side, we will be an unstoppable force. We must ensure that every American family has equal rights and responsibilities; that it's illegal for the boss to fire the star employee simply because of who he or she is; that families have the security of marriage and all the rights and responsibilities that it affords and that every American living with and at risk for HIV takes prevention seriously so that this generation does not experience the devastation that the last generation did at the hands of this disease.
"That's why I intend to hit the road in my first week. We are broadening the American conversation about equality. I'll be meeting with GLBT families, religious leaders, corporate leaders, communities of color and employee groups and GLBT community leaders across the country, and talking about the path to our equality."
