about EQUALITY

Today, after a great deal of deliberation, I withdrew my legal action against CCGLA. It is important (to me) to document why I made this decision, as to some it may be seen as a retreat (possibly for the wrong reasons).

When I filed this claim back in November 2005, I (foolishly) believed that the justice system operated in a far more speedier manner. Given the span of over seven months, it appears I got this wrong.

Three of the five remedies that I sought in my petition were no longer appropriate (relating to overturning the decision made by the CCGLA Board on November 20 and December 1), given that I no longer want to be a part of CCGLA’s Board. I also realized that even if the rules had been followed, the outcome would have been the same - just delayed.

In relation to the remaining two remedies that I sought, the first one relating to requiring the board to do their job within the parameters set out in the rules and law, it is really up to the membership to take action. As I’ve said in other posts on other topics, sadly the membership is not that interested (it’s not just a CCGLA thing, it’s a societal thing). This realization reaffirmed my decision to withdraw my complaint, along with the fact that very little would actually be gained by allowing this action to continue. In relation to the costs associated with this action, I just figured I just eat those - it was my case after all.

I think the realization that no-one would actually benefit from this case being heard, and it was really just time to move on, really was the driving force behind my decision. I am confident that I would have been successful in my case, but what good would that have really provided, especially as I no longer wanted what I was seeking back in November. It would have wasted the court’s time, and those involved with the action itself.

I wish CCGLA the best for whatever it will achieve in the future, and I am happy to have this chapter of my life close (if not with a big dogleaf).

Note: All entries relating to this legal action have been removed from public viewing on this site.

CCGLA, CV-06-00077, Legal

It appears that the CCGLA Board of Directors have engaged Mr. Jay English to represent them in the suit I filed last November, and after he (English) requested a date, one was set. So this coming Friday, June 30, I’ll be finally able to present my argument to the Judge as to why CCGLA’s actions were improper. I’ll post how things go.

Suprisingly, Mr. English has cited this website to another court in another matter as part of CCGLA’s official response. Nice to know that I did such a good job in putting that information together (Side note: CCGLA filed suit against the Collin Equality Foundation and certain board members on March 31, 2006, claiming that the actions taken by the board on November 16, 2005 were not in accordance with the CEF bylaws.)

CCGLA, CV-06-00077, Legal

Have the recent discussions about illegal immigration triggered a reaction from CCGLA’s board of directors that now has this community organization discriminating against immigrants?

Recently the CCGLA board amended its’ bylaws to prevent anyone who is not a registered voter to be eligible to be a director or officer of the organization. To become a registered voter, a person must be a United States citizen. People who can’t become citizens include temporary workers (H1-B visa holders), international students, green card/permanent residents, and undocumented immigrants.

This action reinforces the widely held (and destructive) view that immigrants are second class citizens. While immigrants may not have the same protections under the law as citizens, they deserve the same levels of dignity and respect. How can an organization that advocates equality, dignity and respect, offer none of these to a group of residents in Collin County? Isn’t this new bylaw in conflict with the values for which CCGLA stands?

One of the original purposes of CCGLA was to bring together a community that reflected the diversity of people and their backgrounds that lived and worked within Collin County. I believe the founding CCGLA board reflected this diversity. I also now believe that the current board does not.

It is a concern to me that CCGLA now appears to support what many of us on the founding board were fighting against: discrimination. Discrimination is not just a GLBT issue. Everyone can be discriminated against for any reason. It happens every day, but should it happen within an organization that’s purpose is to fight against it? As one of the founding board members, I am disgusted that the CCGLA board has written such a discriminatory rule into their governing documents. I am equally surprised that the only founding board member remaining on the board supported this change.

With the annual meeting only days away, let’s hope the membership of CCGLA hold this board accountable for their actions, and refocuses the organization on its core values of advocating equality, dignity and respect in our community.

(Originally posted on my personal blog.)

CCGLA, InEquality, Opinion

CCGLA, Legal

Well things have been a little slow on this. The latest from the Collin County Justice Court is that the case will still be assigned a date in May or June. Given the timing of the CCGLA annual meeting (May 23), I am hopeful that the date is in May before this meeting.

CCGLA, Legal