Human Rights Campaign works in legal, political circles

The Las Vegas community of the Human Rights Campaign is young, as advocacy groups go.

But, at a mere three-and-a-half years old, it has made its presence felt among members of Southern Nevada's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, as well as anybody else who believes acceptance of and equality for these citizens is a good thing.

The HRC is the largest organization of its type in the United States, said Jeff Garofalo, co-chair of the local affiliate's steering committee and local representative to the Human Rights Campaign's national board.

The group's goals include working to achieve equality; end discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens; and advocate for fundamental fairness and equality for everybody.

Toward that end, the HRC has a political action arm that lobbies elected officials and issues political endorsements. The national group had a success rate of more than 90 percent in 2006 election cycle endorsements, Garofalo noted.

Among the group's current activities are supporting the passage of hate crime legislation and including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people for protection under nondiscrimination laws, he said.

The HRC also advocates for workplace equality, support for people who are coming out, interaction with religious organizations and equality in health care, he said.

While the HRC works in both the legal and political arenas, it also strives to create a strong gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community here, Garofalo said.

It's about "creating an atmosphere of acceptance," he said, "under the theory that, the more people can live openly, the more the rest of the population is going to know us and realize that we are no different and we deserve acceptance like anybody else."

The local HRC also does outreach into the community through grass-roots lobbying and participation in community events, sponsoring socials on the third Thursday of the month, and working with other organizations in the valley.

Volunteers always are needed to participate in outreach efforts and staff events, including the second annual HRC Las Vegas Gala Dinner, scheduled for Sept. 8 at the Caesars Palace Conference Center.

For more information, visit the HRC Web page (www.hrc.org) and follow the "Your Community" link to Las Vegas.