HRC Ditches Cash from Arms Manufacturers Amid Pressure Over Israel's Gaza Genocide
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), one of the largest LGBTQ+ organizations in the world, has stopped accepting cash donations from Northrop Grumman and Raytheon, citing pressure from LGBTQ+ activists and advocates for queer rights who accused HRC of "pinkwashing" its ties to Israel.
LGBTQ+ Activists Say No More Profiting Off Human Rights Abuses
In a statement released by the Gender Liberation Movement and Adalah Justice Project, HRC's decision was hailed as a victory for those pushing back against the organization's perceived hypocrisy on human rights. The statement argued that "organizations like HRC can no longer prioritize proximity to power over the well-being of our people."
Critics have long accused HRC of using Israel's pro-LGBTQ+ stance as a smokescreen to distract from its own complicity in supporting human rights abuses in Gaza. In recent months, several high-profile celebrities, including actor Indya Moore and Hannah Einbinder, have publicly condemned the organization's ties to arms manufacturers.
HRC Spurns Cash from Arms Makers Amid Growing Pressure
The decision comes after a series of protests and calls for boycotts against HRC, which had seen its sponsorships increasingly scrutinized. According to Adalah and Gender Liberation Movement, pro-Palestine groups had pushed for this move since October 7, 2023.
While HRC claims the change is part of their long-held stance against extremism, critics argue that it comes too little, too late. The organization still faces criticism over its failure to permanently reject cash from any arms manufacturers and its lack of action on calling for an arms embargo on Israel.
HRC's new stance has been welcomed by pro-Palestine groups, but many remain skeptical about the true intentions behind HRC's decision.
As one activist put it, "Freedom, equality, and justice for our queer and trans siblings here can only be achieved when we collectively confront the systems that are harming communities everywhere."
HRC's Response to Criticism
In a statement, HRC said Raytheon and Northrop Grumman no longer sponsored the organization but did not directly address when or how the relationships ended. The statement also linked HRC's stance on Israel to their broader efforts to combat extremism.
"We have spoken out about the crisis, the rising cost of extremism in the United States and around the globe and how Islamophobia, anti-semitism and anti-LGBTQ hatred are globally linked," a spokesperson for HRC said. "We have also championed the right to protest here in the United States, as it and other pro-democratic principles are being undermined and threatened by this administration."
However, many critics argue that HRC's response does not go far enough and that the organization needs to do more to address its ties to arms manufacturers and its perceived hypocrisy on human rights.
The move comes amidst a growing backlash against HRC from some quarters, but others see it as a necessary step towards greater accountability.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), one of the largest LGBTQ+ organizations in the world, has stopped accepting cash donations from Northrop Grumman and Raytheon, citing pressure from LGBTQ+ activists and advocates for queer rights who accused HRC of "pinkwashing" its ties to Israel.
LGBTQ+ Activists Say No More Profiting Off Human Rights Abuses
In a statement released by the Gender Liberation Movement and Adalah Justice Project, HRC's decision was hailed as a victory for those pushing back against the organization's perceived hypocrisy on human rights. The statement argued that "organizations like HRC can no longer prioritize proximity to power over the well-being of our people."
Critics have long accused HRC of using Israel's pro-LGBTQ+ stance as a smokescreen to distract from its own complicity in supporting human rights abuses in Gaza. In recent months, several high-profile celebrities, including actor Indya Moore and Hannah Einbinder, have publicly condemned the organization's ties to arms manufacturers.
HRC Spurns Cash from Arms Makers Amid Growing Pressure
The decision comes after a series of protests and calls for boycotts against HRC, which had seen its sponsorships increasingly scrutinized. According to Adalah and Gender Liberation Movement, pro-Palestine groups had pushed for this move since October 7, 2023.
While HRC claims the change is part of their long-held stance against extremism, critics argue that it comes too little, too late. The organization still faces criticism over its failure to permanently reject cash from any arms manufacturers and its lack of action on calling for an arms embargo on Israel.
HRC's new stance has been welcomed by pro-Palestine groups, but many remain skeptical about the true intentions behind HRC's decision.
As one activist put it, "Freedom, equality, and justice for our queer and trans siblings here can only be achieved when we collectively confront the systems that are harming communities everywhere."
HRC's Response to Criticism
In a statement, HRC said Raytheon and Northrop Grumman no longer sponsored the organization but did not directly address when or how the relationships ended. The statement also linked HRC's stance on Israel to their broader efforts to combat extremism.
"We have spoken out about the crisis, the rising cost of extremism in the United States and around the globe and how Islamophobia, anti-semitism and anti-LGBTQ hatred are globally linked," a spokesperson for HRC said. "We have also championed the right to protest here in the United States, as it and other pro-democratic principles are being undermined and threatened by this administration."
However, many critics argue that HRC's response does not go far enough and that the organization needs to do more to address its ties to arms manufacturers and its perceived hypocrisy on human rights.
The move comes amidst a growing backlash against HRC from some quarters, but others see it as a necessary step towards greater accountability.
. On one hand, it's a win for the pro-Palestine groups who've been pushing for change 
. They'll be stoked that HRC is finally listening and distancing itself from companies that are basically profiting off human rights abuses 
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. I mean, if HRC had taken a harder stance against arms manufacturers in the first place, this wouldn't have been necessary 
. Still, I guess every little bit counts, right? 
And hey, at least they're taking steps towards greater accountability 
.
. People are so passionate about their causes and willing to take drastic action to get attention 
. As someone who wants to find middle ground, it's hard not to feel like we're just getting more and more entrenched in our positions 
.
. Let's see where HRC takes this new stance and if they'll continue to prioritize accountability 
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gotta keep callin out orgs that profiteer off human rights abuses 
finally someone's calling out HRC for profiting off human rights abuses 
they've been getting away with this "pinkwashing" BS for too long 
. I mean, who benefits from accepting cash from arms manufacturers? The LGBTQ+ community? I don't think so 
it's all about lining the pockets of those in power and pushing human rights abuses under the rug 
.
. "We've spoken out against extremism" yeah right 
when will they actually take action instead of just talking the talk? It's time for them to put their money where their mouth is 
. The queer community deserves better than an org that's more interested in lining its own pockets than fighting for justice 
. I mean, come on, they're just admitting that their previous stance was all about convenience and not actually doing much of anything meaningful about the issue. And now they're saying it's part of a broader effort to combat extremism? Give me a break 
. I mean, if you're not willing to cut ties completely, then don't pretend like you're some kind of champion for human rights. It's just a bunch of empty words at this point 
... I mean, I get why pro-Palestine groups are pushing back on HRC's ties to arms manufacturers and all, but at the same time, I feel like they're being kinda harsh on them too 
They're just trying to do good work for the LGBTQ+ community, right? 
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it shows that there are still people in power who care about human rights and want to make a difference 
let's keep supporting these activists and organizations that are fighting for justice and equality 
. And what about the fact that they're not directly condemning Israel's actions in Gaza 
Let's keep pushing for a world where queer individuals can live their best lives without fear of persecution or human rights abuses 
. I drew a quick diagram to visualize what's happening:
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anyway, i do think it's progress in some ways - at least they're not taking money from arms manufacturers anymore 
But seriously, I've been following this story for ages and it's just so frustrating that HRC took so long to do something about it.
. Until then, I'll be cheering them on from afar 
its like they're trying to salvage their reputation instead of taking real action to address the issue 
its not enough to just stop taking cash from them, they need to explain what they plan to do next