Comments on: Equality Md. leader fired

By: Cathy Brennan

Cathy Brennan — Fri, 06 May 2011 15:31:41 +0000

This is a valid observation. As much as the T shouts that they get screwed in the LGBT, I could pose the same question. How are the interests of the L aligned with working with the T. I am in favor of separate communities that ally when we can, but I am not interesed in suicide.

By: Tk

Tk — Thu, 05 May 2011 18:15:43 +0000

It’s curious that the board would so vehemently disagree with Morgan talking to the media. Is the LGBT community not seeking to show our heterosexual neighbors who we ‘really’ are, as opposed to how they’ve been taught to view us? Does that particular goal not require communication? And isn’t communication most easily conducted through the media? But no no, LGBT leaders shouldn’t speak to the media or report a timeline of when certain pro-gay rights legislation can be expected to be reviewed by state legislators, because that allows the opposition a chance to rally against our cause. Does the EQMD board really think that Anti-LGBT advocates don’t know when pro-gay legislation will be introduced?

And does no one else realize that every time HRC gets involved with pro-gay legislation that is introduced, that they always some how or some way try to stop its progression, either by causing it to stall on the floor, or preaching to the choir about waiting 7 years before we try to get our rights?

Something seriously corrupt is going on in these big LGBT non-profit organizations.

By: Dianna Li

Dianna Li — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:17:24 +0000

I am a transgender woman and I agree with Matt Rider that Morgan’s predecessor left a lot to be desired. Once she started, the emails about what the group was doing (initiatives, goals, events, etc.) really kept members informed and involved in the organization. Since her dismissal, that has nearly come to a halt.

The Board is acting like they’re afraid to be seen or heard. This kind of stupid, childish bickering is going to do nothing but make those starting to come out disappear back to the closet and make the rest of us laughing stock once again. The LGBT community needs someone who has the courage and energy to fight for the rights of others instead of being cowards like the rest of the Board. Use ALL the tools at your disposal- the media (TV, radio, and print), the Internet- everyone else does- and usually to smear our community.

The last email I got from EM was on 4/22 from Owen Smith about the one-year anniversary of the death of a teenage FTM. Anything from them about protesting the beating of the transgender at McDonald’s in Baltimore? I would venture to say I think Morgan would have been all over that and made sure EVERYONE found out about that hate crime.

If Morgan started another organization to fight for our rights, she can count on me to join her.

By: B

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 06:16:41 +0000

I agree that too much energy was wasted on the trans bill. That whole issue should have been shelved until the same sex marriage bill passed.

As for the now former ED of the group, it’s over. She is not coming back. Time to move on.

But except for the board members who tried out for the job before, what sane, competent person would want to work for them, especially seeing how they treated the past employee.

As someone commented before me, an organization that had one shred of common sense would have worked out a transition plan instead of this ridiculous mess.

By: David

David — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:45:55 +0000

There is more than one side to the coin.

She has many positive qualities & we benefitted from them.
On the negative side……

*She lacks the charisma and strong motivational speaking skills of Dan Furmansky
*She appeared a youthful cheerleader instead of a sophisticated movement leader
*She was a poor fundraiser & did not work well with donors especially wealthy donors
*She was not open to the ideas of others or real delegating
*The board says she did not work well with them

Can we do better and quickly – I’d say it is unlikely.

By: Justin B Terry-Smith

Justin B Terry-Smith — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:36:06 +0000

This is appalling I know Morgan and she has been one of the best leaders that organization has seen, Dan Furmansky included. The board really a messed up big time by firing Morgan. She has done her job and done it well. We cannot fire someone on the basis that legislation wasn’t passed when we wanted it. Also this could not have come at a worse time. Maryland’s legislation session is coming up in less than 8 months and this will hinder us if a GOOD replacement is not found ASAP. But it seems to me that they have already fired a good leader and a phenominal women who is one of the nest Equal RIghts leaders for LGBT right in Maryland. My hat goes off to Morgan and Dan for thier unyielding fight for ALL LGBT Marylanders and yes that includes the T. We also need to realize that just because the T is not the forfront off the fight doesn’t mean that we have turned out backs on them. The fight for Equal rights has been hard for everything color especially those who fall under the Rainbow colors. We need to stop bickering amongst ourselves and realize the fight is not in our house but outside where conservatives block our right and continue to pin us down as 2nd class citizens.

By: Mark Jason McLaurin

Mark Jason McLaurin — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:29:25 +0000

I’m glad you brought that up !!!! Not to toot my own horn, but I voted against and fought against hiring Kate, also, but I was outvoted again !!!!!

By: Syd Diamond

Syd Diamond — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:51:42 +0000

EQMD needs to find a replacement as soon as possible since we only have 8 months before the next legislative session. As a donor I hope they pick someone who can clean house.

By: Ben

Ben — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:54:50 +0000

Is this a joke? Gays getting bogged down in these bizarre and extraneous T issues is one of the greatest obstacles to our progress. Your advice, no doubt made with no self-interest in mind, is for us to double down on a suicidal strategy.

By: Ralph

Ralph — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 18:25:51 +0000

If you were on the Board when it hired waste-of-six-months Runyon, you might not want to throw stones.

Yes, I am bothered. What was the process for both c3 and c4 Chairs to become the Chair?