Changing of the Guard at the Human Rights Campaign

by Juanita L. Lerch
OITM Staff Writer

     There has been a changing of the guard, so to speak, at HRC (Human Rights Campaign), with Robert Appel becoming the new executive director. Selected by the commission to serve a five-year term, Appel comes to HRC with a background heavy in law, having served as the Defender General for eight and a half years. Prior to that, Appel worked for the Civil Rights Union, with offices in St. Johnsbury, VT.
      Appel contends that this position “gives me an opportunity to work on issues that are important to me,“ as stated in an interview with Out In The Mountains. “I’ve spent my entire career in the law. Gone back and forth between civil rights and defense.“
      School harassment is a primary concern for the new executive director, as well as housing and access for all public accommodations. Appel, “Would like the commission to take the position that government services must be of a non-discriminatory practice.“ Although a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll showed increased acceptance of gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans, HRC, however, expresses concern that discrimination and violence remain persistent problems.
      “We need to get the word that that we [HRC] are a viable enforcement authority. The commission needs to provide a better leadership role; raising the consciousness in areas of concern, like school harassment and the perceptions of homosexuality.“
      As America’s largest gay and lesbian organization, the Human Rights Campaign provides a national voice on gay and lesbian issues. The HRC effectively lobbies congress; mobilizes grassroots action in diverse communities; invests strategically to elect a fair-minded Congress; and increases public understanding through innovative education and communication strategies.
      HRC is a bipartisan organization that works to advance equality based on sexual orientation and gender expression and identity, to ensure that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
      Robert Appel brings with him to the HRC a history that is rich in the protection of those in need and a staunch belief in civil rights for all people. “Insuring that civil rights are protected. Dignity and respect for what the person is…not what they perceive them to be.“ We all need to make an effort to, “value and recognize the humanity in each of us.“
      For more information on the Human Rights Campaign and the wealth of info they have to offer, log on at: http://www.hrc.org.