QuoteKnox took control of the situation: He turned off the music and addressed the room. He asked why HRC has done so little for the community and why they agreed to exclude the transgender community from the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) over the objections of the movement as a whole. He was absolutely brilliant.

One of the hosts explained that HRC works in increments in getting what it can, little by little: the "we accept crumbs" approach.

I then proceeded to inform all in attendance that the HRC dinner in New York last year was boycotted by every elected official in New York City and that similar boycotts were occurring around the country. I asked why HRC agreed to pull the comprehensive bill introduced in 1974, which would have amended the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include the words "sexual orientation" (HRC then replaced it with the much weaker bill now known as ENDA).