First San Diego Pride, and now the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation has let go of its executive director. But, unlike Pride, this action by the foundation’s board of directors was long overdue and supported by LGBT community leaders.
When the Human Dignity Foundation was established about two decades ago, its founders were some of our community’s most respected leaders and business people. Many of us have been long-time supporters, but under John Brown (executive director) it lost its way and became too grandiose as Brown expanded the staff from two to five, and moved their offices to the very expensive “Liberty Station” property and put together “La Jolla/Beverly Hills-like” offices.
Foundation board members starting getting concerned some months ago, and about two weeks ago past and present HDF executive board members started to contact me about their concerns. These concerns were serious enough for me to arrange a meeting with some of our top LGBT leaders. The Human Dignity Foundation is “caretaker” of many LGBT funds, some in the millions of dollars. What I’ve seen from many of the documents and financial records that I was made privy to, it is possible that some of the funds have been mismanaged by the outgoing executive director. An independent audit has been called for, and board members have met with former board members, i.e. “whistleblowers.”
Rob Reinhart, who has a solid reputation, has been named interim executive director.
In speaking to some executive board officers, I did urge that Mr. Brown be terminated ASAP, and that they cut down their staff size and move out of those expensive digs. I commend the HDF board for their immediate action and outreach to community leaders and elected officials. Unlike the board of directors of Pride, the HDF is listening to community leaders and being as transparent as possible. I know our community looks forward to a complete and honest report from the HDF, including yes, the “good, bad and the ugly.” They did the right thing by canceling their annual dinner gala which was set for next month.
October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Did you know that every day, 800 women in America are diagnosed with invasive or DCIS breast cancer? Yes, 800 women a day! And did you also know that this is higher among lesbians than heterosexual women? I have always believed that the “Pink Ribbon” and cancer battles should be as important in our community as the “Red Ribbon” and HIV/AIDS. Please continue to support our LGBT Community Center’s many women’s health programs, and especially the Toni Atkins Lesbian Health Fund. Thank you!
Nicky Awards tickets on sale
Tickets to the “gay academy awards” are now on sale and are going like hot cakes. The 41st Annual Nicky Awards will be held Sunday, Nov. 13 and will begin at 6 p.m. with the all live “Red Carpet” interviews. Outstanding entertainment has been booked and your emcee’s this year will be Benny Cartwright and Miss Pearl of NBC’s hit show America’s Got Talent. For further information on the 2016 Nicky Awards please call: 619-692-1967, or 619-862-8654, or check out nickyawards.org
Five days in Ohio
Ohio is always one of the most important presidential election swing states. No Republican president has ever been elected without carrying Ohio. Did you know that eight of our nation’s presidents are from Ohio? They are William Henry Harrison, Rutherford B. Hayes, Benjamin Harrison, William Howard Taft, Ulysses S. Grant, James. A. Garfield, William McKinley and Warren G. Harding.
I was recently in Cincinnati, the city where the infamous Jerry Springer was actually elected mayor. The LGBT community is a very organized one, and they have an openly gay councilmember: Chris Seelbach. I had the honor of presenting a “Spirit of Stonewall” award to 15 year old Luke Miller, who challenged his high school’s dress code for its annual senior prom. His mother, Holly Miller is just as wonderful as her gay son. I was given a tour of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and it is a magnificent museum.
A special thank you to my host, Franklin City official Scott Fromeyer and his partner Jesse Madden.
