on Solmonese: "Man of the Moment"

The Washington Post delivers a profile of Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese, who it says bears the brunt of credit and criticism in the struggle to advance gay rights. It includes comments from Solmonese and some gay activists and bloggers who refer to him as "Gay Inc."

Writer Lonnae O'Neal Parker begins the profile with the recent news that the Obama administration would mandate hospital visitation rights for same-sex partners.

“With that announcement, arguably the administration's most significant expansion of gay rights, Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese became the man of the moment,” writes Parker. “His D.C.-based organization, the nation's largest and most prominent gay rights activist group, had worked closely with the White House on the policy change.

“That Solmonese has been given much of the credit for the behind-the-scenes educating, advocating, cajoling and schmoozing it takes to get priorities acted upon in Washington is undisputed.

“Whether or not he deserves it is hotly contested.”

Read the full profile here.