While I fail to understand it, I'm beginning to view his fascination with me almost as a badge of honor. In his most recent column, "Political correctness wins out in gay candy ad controversy" Chris Crain, once again, misses the bigger picture.
The Human Rights Campaign and other gay rights organizations complained not about the ad that aired but about the online campaign which featured homophobic football players and alternative endings to the ad that depicted violence in reaction to two men kissing. The complaints raised were not exclusive to the original ad that aired during the Super Bowl. Chris would be more credible if he commented on the facts rather than contorting them to suit his clear manic biases.
Ironically, Chris seems perfectly capable of getting his facts straight when discussing Judy Shepard's reaction, but seems to have more difficulty correctly pointing out the reasons behind mine.
He writes that HRC, "ought to be busy protecting our interests on Pennsylvania Avenue, not Madison Avenue." Unfortunately, it is this "criticize for the sake of criticizing" mentality that shadows way too many of his columns. Does he not understand that our work to change hearts and minds in America is connected both politically and culturally?
When a major American corporation depicts in their advertisements, violence against gay people and reactions of homophobic football players, which many kids hold up as role models, then it is the responsibility of groups like HRC to stand up and demand change.
If Chris would stick to the facts, and not his personal motives, then his columns might be read with a little more credibility.
Giving Chris Crain a platform to spout his misguided rhetoric sets back the work of the entire movement. Criticism is fair game but blatant misinformation causes disillusionment among members of our community and that isn't just bad for HRC, it's bad for all of us.
{ITAL Joe Solmonese
President, Human Rights Campaign}
