Comments on: Besen: Give to our gay orgs

By: Jeff Barea

Jeff Barea — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:47:33 +0000

i have to admit that Swarm Theory is a bit bored after taking down the hopey changey unicorn Obama’s question website…

More importantly you are shilling for people to give money they need to support organizations that couldn’t even keep gay marriage legal in the most liberal state in the Union – California.

How much money have you given? What percentage of your own net worth have you given?

Why tell people who are in dire straits in this economy to give money?

When you won’t disclose the aggregate or the percentage of your gross while you tell everyone else to give?

Because Wayne you have always been a selfish and self-centered writer who won’t give himself, no matter how rich you are because it’s easier to become carbon neutral by telling others to give so you can enjoy that nouveau riche lifestyle you have become accustomed to.

By: JSQR

JSQR — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 06:36:01 +0000

Too many gay organizations have secret agendas (on other non-gay issues) that I don’t agree with, so I hesitate to give donations to any of them.

By: TomSD

TomSD — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:10:17 +0000

I will continue to support local LGBT organizations – but after Obama’s decision to invite Rick Warren to give the inaugural invocation, I will not support any organization that co-sponsors the Out For Equality Inaurgural Ball. Hopefully, these organizations will stand up in protest to this slap in the face and cancel this event!

By: Cindy

Cindy — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:02:44 +0000

Many years ago I made the mistake of sending a donation to HRC; I say it was a mistake because apparently they sell their donor lists, and shortly afterwards I started receiving begging letters from the Gay Men’s Health Crisis center in New York. That was probably 10 years ago, and even though I’ve never sent a dime to the GMHC, I still get their stuff. Just last week they sent me another letter and a sheet of personalized address labels. I have never and will never give them my money. Not even to any group that actually represents my interests — I barely earn enough to make ends meet myself, and I sure as hell won’t put myself in financial jeopardy just to help them out.

By: truthsayer

truthsayer — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:11:01 +0000

Hmmm…with sooooo many Gay/Lesbian groups to have to contribute to wouldn’t it be more fiscally wise to COMBINE all of these splinter groups into one collosal organization that would send shivers down the backs of ALL of our enemies?!? Combine and CONSOLIDATE all groups such as GLAAD,P-Flag, lambda legal, ect,ect,ect under one administrative umbrella at least temporarily.

By: Dr. Evan Peter Evans

Dr. Evan Peter Evans — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:46:42 +0000

Reguarding Besens article about the current crisis with gay organizations, I should like to make some donations, but do not know whom to send them too, so, Who are they and how to I donate to them? Thank you.
chiropeter@planetout.com

By: Andre

Andre — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:27:49 +0000

I totally agree with you!
I have contributed to many organizations this holiday season and will continue to do so. Even If I cannot give much. I will continue to give what I can.

By: Jaeger

Jaeger — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:52:38 +0000

For the benefit of those potential donors who, in these difficult economic times, would prefer to donate only to those GLBT advocacy groups that already have an established history of vigorous and effective action, why not publish a list of those organizations’ names and contact information?

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:45:58 +0000

Maybe if I didn’t get so many requests for money from so many different groups all trying to do the same thing, I would be more supportive. Maybe some of these groups need to combine forces and resources instead of begging for more money. Maybe HRC didn’t need that new building, maybe NGLTF and HRC and Lambda Legal could combine there efforts and just ask for 1 donation instead of 3.

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:40:57 +0000

I feel for the plight of these organizations but I also feel that economic stability and organization will keep the strongest and most weathered ones afloat. If anything we should be permitting Darwinism with our gay organizations given the past political drubbing we have been getting. if anything this should be a way of promoting mergers and strategy amongst our organizations and not diversity. We need to speak with one voice in our policy debates at the national level. On the other hand we need to some how have our remaining organizations get together and coordinate a better way of channelling donations and working together. I know if anything I will be donating to Lambda Legal at least to make sure our legal arm is there and perhaps SDLN defense. The others we need to seriously look at their effectiveness and allow the “law of the jungle” force mergers and hone visions.