But how can advocates of a philosophy of individualism even think of joining an organization that embraces people on the basis of what some might view as a "nonessential" characteristic, namely, sexual orientation? Isn’t individualism enough? There’s no Objectivist organization for straights or women or blacks, after all.

R. Eriks Goodwin, the current Rattigan Society President, replies: "Well, why not such groups? If said groups are formed for a specific and legitimate purpose, why not?" A group of black Objectivists, for example, might wish "to counter workplace discrimination by means of education, private boycotts, etc.," and this would surely be legitimate, says Goodwin. "And unlike something like a traditional labor union, once a ‘special interest’ group founded on Objectivist values achieved its goal, it would dissipate since there would no longer be a shared purpose to achieve."