Staff say Human Rights Campaign is ‘sexist’ and ‘exclusionary’
A report has revealed “serious problems” with staff treatment at the Human Rights Campaign.
The major US LGBT rights campaigning group internal report has been leaked to Buzzfeed News, and describes the working conditions at the organisation as “sexist” and the staff lacking in diversity. It was researched and completed towards the end of last year.
The report states: “Leadership culture is experienced as homogeneous — gay, white, male. Exclusion was broad-based and hit all identity groups within HRC.
“A judgemental working environment, particularly concerning women and feminine-identified individuals, was highlighted in survey responses.
“Trans* people are frequently misgendered with the wrong pronouns, after repeated corrections. Straight women and lesbians get sexist treatment from gay men at HRC.”
“Younger staff in particular are exploited and not rewarded financially.
“Seven out of 31 men who have been promoted have been on staff less than two years (some promoted two times). No women under two years have been promoted.”
HRC president Chad Griffin said in a statement: “The organization is clearly committed to positive change. As the research phase of this effort was getting underway, I was appearing before Southern Comfort to offer a fullthroated apology to the trans community on behalf of HRC.
“There should be no doubt that this entire effort is intentional and part of a continuous cycle of improvement.
“Diversity and inclusion work is never an end, it’s always a journey and while it’s clear that we have a long way to go on that journey as an organization – and as a movement -the important and indisputable facts are that we realized the need for change, that we have done a significant amount of self-examination and reflection, and that we have put plans in place that are resulting in positive changes.”
