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V IL L A G E
Jay H a rte r is determined to combat H R C 's reputation
as a rich w h ite boys club by Michael Barrett
—
ill & G race fans might recall
“The best way to overcome that is to have
the episode where Will asks
more activity at the grassroots level,” which is
Jack to join him at a Human
arguably a BRO strength and an opportunity for
Rights Campaign dinner, and
further partnership. In fact, BRO will be involved
Jack declines because he
with the town hall that Harter is planning.
doesn’t have “a cute little tank top and shorts" to
Politically, BRO and H RC are complemen
wear. Jack’s misperception is representative of
tary, in that BR O ’s focus is statewide, while
HRC’s stmggle with its image in the minds of the
H RC concentrates on national issues.
queer community across the nation.
BRO is also a recipient of HRC funds. O f the
Oregonians are no exception, hut Jay Harter
roughly $80,000 that HRC raised in Oregon last
is determined to comhat H RC ’s reputation as an
year, it granted BRO $5,000 to assist its polling
organization of rich, white gay men. He holds
efforts agaiast the Oregon Citizeas Alliance’s
one of two local seats (the second is vacant) on
attempt to put yet another anti-gay initiative on
the national hoard of governors.
the ballot.
A self-described late bloomer, the Corvallis
So where did the rest of the money go?
native came out of the
closet in his 30s. A mar
keting professional for
international high-tech
companies, he found a
passion in gay rights
through his association
with HRC co-founder and
Portland native Terry
Bean in 1997.
A onetime volunteer
for former U.S. Rep. Eliza
beth Furse, D-Ore., Harter
sought a political outlet
and found it at H RC ’s
Portland dinner in 1998.
Within two years, he had
become chairman of the
fund-raiser, and last year
he filled Ron Glanville’s Jay Harter struggles with the misperception that Oregon doesn’t
seat on the hoard of benefit from the money H R C raises here
governors.
The board consists of 110 activists nation
M isperceptim #3: Oregon doesn’t benefit from
wide whose task is to operate H RC’s grassroots
money H RC raises here.
efforts at a local level, including political action,
W hen Oregon faces anti-gay ballot initia
education and fund raising from nonmajor
tives, H RC grants to BRO substantially
donors. When Harter accepted the governorship
increase. Likewise, HRC contributes campaign
last year, the public’s view of H RC suffered from
money to local pro-gay politicians— about
misperceptions that he has vowed to change.
$ 3 5 ,000 during the last election season.
Nonetheless, Harter struggles to “overcome the
Misperception #1: HRC is a club o f rich gay men.
image that fund raising in Oregon is a black
hole” for its citizens.
Harter acknowledged the “perception that
HRC is a rich white hoys club, and (that] per
Additional money does, in fact, come hack to
ception turns into reality unless you’re working
Oregon indirectly through H RCs powerful lobby.
against it.” He says that the dearth of female
Although the organization cannot take full cred
involvement is not uncommon in other parts
it for the appropriations, Harter insists that it has
of the country hut that Oregon fares worse
made a “huge difference in increasing federal
than most.
HIV/AIDS funding and has been particularly
Harter blames the “glaring imbalance” at
effective on the Republican side of the aisle.”
least partly on the fact that fund raising has been
Compared to other states whose fund-raising
the traditional focus of local activities. Though
machines are far more successful, Harter points out
that Oregon fares extremely well in terms of dollar-
the annual hlack-tie dinner is still on the calen
for-dollar return. And no monetary calculations
dar, he has plans to encourage more female par
ticipation by playing host to more “inclusive
take into account the intangible henefitsof“HRC’s
events that aren’t stereotypically highbrow,” educational programs, National Coming Out Day
including a town hall in late spring plus lobby
and important political initiatives" like hate crimes
and employment nondiscrimination legislation, gay
visits with political leaders.
family issues and the “general advocacy for LGBT
The addition of Basic Rights Oregon devel
issues daily in the press and government."
opment director CM Hall to the local HRC
steering committee was another direct effort at
Harter laments that the biggest challenge to
increasing female involvement while strength
addressing misperceptions about HRC is a lack
ening the relationship between the two nonprof
of messengers. His wish is to have a “fully func
its, which is also a subject of misunderstanding.
tioning steering committee” that is responsive
to local issues and needs and encourages volun
Misperception #2: H RC is in competition with BRO.
teers to step forward. J H
Hall’s crossover involvement is but one com
monality between HRC and BRO. Both also have
For more information about the HUMAN RIGHTS
similar lists of contributors, but Harter readily
C a m p a ig n contact Jay Harter at 503-245-9743
or jharter@ pobox.com .
admits that HRCs “focus on higher-end donors
and events that cater to them" fuels the misper
M ic h a e l B a r r e t t is a Portland free-lance writer.
ception that a divide exists between the groups.
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