The Gift of Anger: Use Passion to Build Not Destroy

Under Joe Solmonese's leadership, the Human Rights Campaign became the model other organizations look toward to create effective social and political change. Against daunting odds, HRC was instrumental in passing landmark national legislation such as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act; repealing ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell''; and passing marriage equality acts in eight states. How did Solmonese and HRC do it? What Solmonese reveals in this book is that for him, the key to success was learning to harness his anger. Essentially it's just a form of energy. Channeled, it can keep you moving forward on a long journey. But uncontrolled, it can blow everything up. With this as his guiding principle, Solmonese uses stories from his work with HRC and his previous position as CEO of the powerful women's organization EMILY's List to share a series of often-surprising lessons. For example, empathize with your enemies instead of shaming them, find allies wherever you can, and ask for the doable, not the impossible (even when the ''impossible'' is your ultimate goal). Most striking in this book are the stories of Solmonese's ability to draw some kind of win-however small-from seeming adversaries. But at every step of the way he emphasizes the importance of managing the yin-yang tension of anger. Particularly when one is dealing with irrational and offensive attitudes, the temptation is ever present to give in to righteous indignation. While it's fine to feel it, Solmonese's advice is to always be strategic with your outrage.

In Congress we knew that we needed a strategic partner advocating for the LGBT community who would never allow the anger he understandably felt in the face of injustice to cause him to lose sight of the ultimate goal, and who understood how to find common ground on both sides of the legislative aisle. Joe's stories in this book and the lessons he learned will inspire you to think differently about the change you seek to make in your life and in the world.
Senator Joe Lieberman
I've seen Joe Solmonese in action . . . Joe's work organizing the LGBT community and its allies toward smart, strategic work enabled meaningful and sustained victories in the fight for equality for Americans.
Senator Sherrod Brown
This book is a meaningful road map for those seeking to chart their own path toward overcoming injustices, finding common ground, and achieving goals, no matter how lofty they may seem.
Ross Mathews, television host and author ofMan Up!
Joe's leadership is proof of his steadfast commitment to equality and his unique ability to harness the power of a movement and turn it into action. Those seeking to leave this world better than they found it can draw similar inspiration from the pages of this book.
Chad Griffin, President, Human Rights Campaign
We can all learn a lot from Joe's work advancing LGBT equality. If change is what you seek in your world, your community, your workplace, or your relationships this is the book for you.
Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
I was privileged to be a partner with Joe, and I'm thrilled that he has chosen to share the lessons of his leadership to inspire the next generation of civil and human rights advocates.
Wade Henderson, President and CEO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Those who set out to change the world and encounter obstacles and injustice along the way would do well to read Joe's book. It's an inspiring story that shows us how to channel the anger any of us might understandably experience into something positive and transformational.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, actor and activist
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"In Congress we knew that we needed a strategic partner advocating for the LGBT community who would never allow the anger he understandably felt in the face of injustice to cause him to lose sight of the ultimate goal, and who understood how to find common ground on both sides of the legislative aisle. Joe's stories in this book and the lessons he learned will inspire you to think differently about the change you seek to make in your life and in the world."
--Senator Joe Lieberman

"I've seen Joe Solmonese in action . . . Joe's work organizing the LGBT community and its allies toward smart, strategic work enabled meaningful and sustained victories in the fight for equality for Americans."
--Senator Sherrod Brown

"This book is a meaningful road map for those seeking to chart their own path toward overcoming injustices, finding common ground, and achieving goals, no matter how lofty they may seem."
--Ross Mathews, television host and author of Man Up!

"Joe's leadership is proof of his steadfast commitment to equality and his unique ability to harness the power of a movement and turn it into action. Those seeking to leave this world better than they found it can draw similar inspiration from the pages of this book."
--Chad Griffin, President, Human Rights Campaign

"We can all learn a lot from Joe's work advancing LGBT equality. If change is what you seek--in your world, your community, your workplace, or your relationships--this is the book for you."
--Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America

"I was privileged to be a partner with Joe, and I'm thrilled that he has chosen to share the lessons of his leadership to inspire the next generation of civil and human rights advocates."
--Wade Henderson, President and CEO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

"Those who set out to change the world and encounter obstacles and injustice along the way would do well to read Joe's book. It's an inspiring story that shows us how to channel the anger any of us might understandably experience into something positive and transformational."
--Jesse Tyler Ferguson, actor and activist