Equality California is undergoing a severe leadership and financial crisis, prompting one of the state's leading gay political leaders to tell us that the organization is "unstable." Trust us, when that kind of statement is uttered by no less than the usually upbeat state Senator Mark Leno, you know you've got a problem.
What is infuriating to us, however �" and what should be of utmost concern to LGBTs throughout the Golden State �" is the wall of silence and lack of transparency that has overtaken the organization, most specifically among its boards of directors for both EQCA and its affiliated EQCA Institute. The presidents of both boards have not made public comments to us in the last week and a half, ever since new Executive Director Roland Palencia abruptly announced his resignation and left last Friday. EQCA missed two of its own self-imposed deadlines for releasing a transition plan in less than a week, lost several high-level staffers, and doesn't have much money in the bank (as little as $250,000 according to EQCA). Given these unfortunate developments the result is instability �" or perhaps something even unthinkable. California, home of some of the most pro-LGBT laws in the country, in large part due to EQCA's successful lobbying efforts over the years, may lose its only statewide LGBT organization.
Statewide LGBT groups, especially in a state as large and diverse as California, have always had a rough time. From the old California Life Lobby to California Alliance for Pride and Equality, it has been a challenge to bring the community together, fundraise, and have enough staff to be effective. The state has large urban centers with thriving LGBT communities and large rural areas where gays live and are often victims of discrimination and harassment. EQCA evolved out of CAPE a little over 10 years ago, after former Executive Director Geoff Kors employed a model similar to the Human Rights Campaign that brought stakeholders together to create a well-known, active organization. Pricey galas in the gay urban centers �" San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Palm Springs �" helped fund its outreach efforts around the state, including the Central Valley and Inland Empire. But in the last year or so, it became apparent that the model was no longer sustainable. Whether because of the economic downturn in which people who normally made sizable contributions were no longer able to do so or because of board decisions, we're not sure. In the aftermath of the Proposition 8 loss, EQCA had hired people and set up small offices in several cities; those were later closed when the funding ran out.
Most recently, the board is said to have been bitterly divided over its decision not to return to the ballot in 2012 to attempt repeal of Prop 8, the same-sex marriage ban. Palencia declined to provide the vote tally, which was held just before he announced his resignation. And we find ourselves agreeing with LGBT people of color organizations that are wary of undertaking such a monumental task as a statewide ballot measure when many of their agencies are seeing alarming decreases in funding. Access to health care, HIV prevention and treatment, and fighting employment and housing discrimination all become more important when you're sick, out of work, or facing eviction.
We will say this: EQCA is just plain lucky that opponents to SB 48, the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful Education Act, failed to qualify a referendum for next year's ballot �" the cost alone, not to mention the subject matter, would have been daunting. And to those calling for a return to the ballot to repeal Prop 8, we have just one question: where will you get the $40 million or so needed to run an effective, statewide campaign?
While it's clear that EQCA has many issues to handle right now, what's not apparent is the resistance on the part of the board to publicly explain the situation. EQCA is a group that relies on donations from LGBTs and allies and depends on support from the community. It should not hide behind a communications department that insists there is no crisis when all the signs point to the opposite conclusion. The board must come clean and tell the community what is going on.
Endorsements outside of SF
Two out lesbians are on the November ballot in the East and North Bay and deserve support from voters in those communities.
In Emeryville, Ruth Atkin is seeking re-election to the City Council. Atkin has been an effective leader and faces no serious opposition.
In Marin, Stephanie O'Brien is seeking election to the College of Marin Board of Trustees. O'Brien has education experience and has served on a local school board. She would make a good addition to the community college board.