Co-Directors of the National Equality March, Kip Williams and Robin McGehee, have resigned from Equality Across America due to differences in leadership and financial security.
Cleve Jones, who also helped organized NEM said:
"We're still not sure this is a viable organization. It's still not clear to me that EAA is going to happen yet.
There needs to be a working group to take EAA forward. I'll be inviting [the March's] steering committee and executive committee members to participate."
Okay, that's not cute. The talked about how they were going to the new face of the LGBT movement and within weeks this happens.
And here's more of the "not so cute part":
Some insiders have charged that Williams and McGehee were forced out in an attempt to wrest control of the organization from the popular activists. They claim that Efinger, who also assists Jones with personal matters, is being rewarded for his close friendship with Jones.
"This position is one that is required by our fiscal sponsor, the duties of which include liaising with them on fiscal paperwork and legal matters. It is not a glorified leadership position - but as Kip was stepping out of that position it needed to be filled," Efinger clarified. "As I currently have the availability to take this on in a volunteer capacity, I agreed to the interim role."
The group still has no formal bylaws, a budget, mission statement or organizational structure. March committee members only agreed to help until the event; Jones and Efinger are currently polling them to see who wants to continue as part of a new group.
"None of this has been decided," Jones said. "The steps just haven't been taken.
This is sad to hear this because I was hoping EAA would take off. But after reading this, I'm not sure they have a shot. I fear that egos and pride will spoil our journey.
4 comments:
As with Stonewall, it shouldn't come at all as a surprise that with the Equality March being as successful as it was, that we would learn of people within the organization wanting to reap all the awards from it's success, and exclude others from it.
Same old story, all the time.
You're right there. Egos and pride often keep us from seeing the vision. We forget our purpose and let the path get in the way from us reaching our goals. I think that's what happened in Maine. We didn't show our true strength because we believed it wouldn't happen. But it did...
Color me unsurprised!
Now what do people say who supported the March who said that it would lead to all sorts of actions in all 435 congressional districts have to say for themselves?
Gurl, pleeze!
well, at least one member of the NEM leadership is still active, according to the desert sun paper. very telling that in cleve jones' backyard, there doesn't seem to be a functioning chapter of his new group. maybe next time he comes along selling snake oil, someone will ask him to stay home and get something organized first in his hometown of palm springs.
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20091105/NEWS01/911050327/-1/newsfront/Gay+rights+activists+rally+to+protest+Maine+vote
The protesters, who also blasted disco music from amplifiers, said they want to see gay-rights groups in every congressional district across the country begin to network.
“While it seems like we're preaching to the choir here — there are a lot of gay people who live here — what we're actually trying to do is say, ‘Listen, we need to start talking to each other,'” Tanner Efinger, 25, a part-time Palm Springs resident, said Wednesday.
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