Multimedia extra: Judy Shepard defends HRC; Mary Lowrance preaches

[youtube]v-Tigva-HCk[/youtube]

Here’s Judy Shepard’s speech last week at the Human Rights Campaign’s fundraising gala in Houston. During the speech, Shepard appears to blame the press for giving HRC a bad name. “I commend all of you for understanding how important it is to support them (HRC) even when the press begins to rail at them for things they (the press) don’t understand,” Shepard says in the video.

Does Shepard think the folks picketing the dinner outside were members of the press? Does she think the more than 300 groups that oppose the trans-less ENDA are members of the press? And how much did HRC pay her to say this?

Also, here’s a link to a sermon by Mary Lowrance called “A Place at the Table.” Lowrance is the former Methodist minister profiled in today’s Voice who surrendered her credentials for fear of a church trial. Take a listen.