Building Blocks: New headquarters of Human Rights Campaign (Al Gore "supports gay community")

Blue and yellow confetti filled the air at 17th Street and Rhode Island Avenue on Saturday, October 11, as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) raised its flag for the first time over its new headquarters building. The ceremony, coinciding with National Coming Out Day, drew local dignitaries, national celebrities, and more than a thousand supporters.

The ceremony began at midday with former pro football player Esera Tuaolo singing "America the Beautiful" from atop the building's entrance as the American flag was raised from the ninth floor roof.

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) praised HRC for nationalizing the gay rights movement. "You belong here because so much that must be done on behalf of this community, in this country and around the world, starts in this city."

Norton urged that both the American flag and HRC flag be raised "real high, so that Congress can see both flags flying above this building. So that Congress will understand that you belong here, that you belong anywhere in this country, every bit as much as the Congress of the United States."

D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams (D) noted the building's prominent location just blocks from the White House. ...

Tipper Gore told the crowd that she and her husband, former Vice President Al Gore, and their family support HRC and the gay community because they believe that "we are all created equal and in the image of god.... We want to be on the right side of history, and we want to be on your side."

"Today is not just a celebration for a single organization but for our whole community," said HRC executive director Elizabeth Birch, dedicating the building "to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender movement for equality."

It's inaccurate to call the Human Rights Campaign gala a sit-down dinner. It's more of a stand-up affair: lots of ovations punctuated by a few speeches.

The annual party is always a lovefest, but Saturday's black-tie bash at the Washington Convention Center was a giant (3,000 people) goodbye to HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch, leaving after nine years at the gay rights political organization to spend more time with partner Hilary Rosen and their 4-year-old twins. "I would never leave this job except for the children," said Birch. "It's not that you can't do this job. It's just that I don't want to miss them growing up."

.... (T)he tributes were long and loud, starting with surprise guests Al and Tipper Gore, Rep. John Lewis, "West Wing" actors Allison Janney and John Spencer, "The Hours" author Michael Cunningham, "Will & Grace" producer Max Mutchnick, and three of the five "Queer Eye" guys.

"People fall in love, want to get married, and live in peace with each other," Lewis thundered. "People ought to be free to do that." There was much, much more from many others. But it was Cunningham who summed up the night early on: "You're all heroes," he told the audience. "And you look fabulous, too." source

The Gores and Miss Birch. Poor Al, desperately seeking a constituency.

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