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N.C. Native Joni Madison Chosen as Interim HRC Director
Message From Former Durham Resident Confirms Fight for LGBTQ Equality Will Continue By qnotes Staff
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he Human Rights Campaign (HRC) fired their now-former president, Alphonso David, on September 7, after reportedly uncovering evidence he helped former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo against allegations of sexual misconduct. David has stated in a Twitter post he plans to duke it out in court with HRC, but the organization is moving forward with the search for a new president. Meanwhile, former Durham, N.C. resident Joni Madison, HRC’s current Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff will serve as interim president, effective immediately. Madison was included in an article examining prominent North Carolina natives involved in the fight for LGBTQ equality published in qnotes earlier this year, penned by contributor and QnotesCarolinas Project Manager Chris Rudisill. It can be read at bit.ly/2XaUFNA. In a message dated September 9, Madison posted the following statement to her Facebook page: “… this past month — following Alphonso David’s inclusion in the New York State Attorney General’s report on the investigation of Governor Andrew Cuomo for sexual harassment — has been so difficult. What makes this even more painful is that so many members of the LGBTQ+ community are survivors of assault and harassment themselves. And I know this has been a particularly hard time for our HRC staff.” The Boards of Directors have completed a board-led investigation, which ultimately concluded that Alphonso acted counter to HRC’s values, mission and policies. As a result, the HRC and HRC Foundation Boards of Directors have terminated Alphonso for violations of his employment contract. While the Boards engage in a search for HRC’s next President, I was asked by the Board to take on the role of Interim President. Many of you may know me from my role as Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff at HRC. I have been in this role since 2016 when I left the private sector to help lead the team at HRC. Many of you may also know me from my previous life as a long-
North Carolina native Joni Madison will serve as interim director at HRC. (Photo Credit:Facebook) time HRC volunteer, where I was particularly focused on developing women’s leadership. Here are some things you may not know: I was born and raised in North Carolina. I am a minister’s daughter. I knew I was gay at 16. I came out to my family and employer in my early 30s. I married the love of my life, Gina, in our backyard on our 20th anniversary, and in October, we will celebrate 27 years together. I believe in service, and in being called to serve. I know what it takes to roll up your sleeves and embrace leadership when people are hurting. And of all the hats I have worn at HRC, Interim President is the one I never expected to be wearing. But the work is too important for me not to wear it. The need for HRC never stops and never slows down. Right now, in Texas, the same extremist lawmakers who are attacking Black and
Brown Texans’ right to vote and are attempting to strip Texans of their reproductive rights are seeking to re-introduce legislation targeting trans kids. Right now, we need the White House to take steps to ease the refugee and asylum process for LGBTQ+ Afghan refugees, who are extraordinarily vulnerable and at-risk under the new Taliban regime. Right now, we are closer than ever before to making the Equality Act the law of the land, but we know we have an uphill battle to get this legislation through the Senate and onto President Biden’s desk. Right now, LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. and around the world need us to stay in the fight. As I look to what comes next, I know the work can and will get done because of our brilliant staff. These are dedicated, dynamic
and passionate people who have been showing up each day and doing the work. You will be hearing more from them in the coming weeks because these are the folks who are the real drivers of change. And as I look to the challenges ahead, I am beyond grateful to be fighting alongside each and every one of you. You all are not just our grassroots force for good — you are our visionaries, our steady hands and our inspiration. We have gone through so much together, and you keep showing up — because you believe, like I do, in our mission of achieving full equality and liberation for LBGTQ+ people … As we move forward, I hope you will extend your support and positive energy to our staff and volunteers, especially our volunteer leaders, who are going through so much at this time, but who have not wavered in their commitment to our mission. We have to keep fighting to advance transgender justice and end the epidemic of violence, especially targeting Black and Brown transgender women; we have to keep fighting to elect leaders who believe in equality and to defeat lawmakers who are legislating hate; we have to keep fighting to dismantle white supremacy and patriarchal systems of power, and; we have to show every LGBTQ+ kid out there they have a future in a country and a world that can love them just as they are. I am here to dig in, use some elbow grease and help us get to that future. I am here to help guide our organization through this next chapter. And I am also here to listen. Please do not hesitate to reach out with your thoughts, questions or your concerns. Thank you for being in this work with us. We need you, we appreciate you, and, with your help, we will continue to advance LGBTQ+ equality together.” While the HRC board engages in a search to fill the position, Chairs of the Boards and Executive Committees Jodie Patterson and Morgan Cox will work closely with Patterson to provide assistance and support, including engagement and assistance with volunteers, donors, supporters and other key stakeholders. : :
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Sept. 17-30, 2021
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