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Marc2b -> Your bigotry is your loss and our gain. (5/15/2012 8:06:10 AM)
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I just need to get this off my chest… and to gloat a little. I presume that some people or organizations might not like having their names tossed around on a BDSM web sight so I am going to keep those out of it… but the following is true.
In my town we have a very fine organization, the A, that provides services to the elderly. They run a shuttle bus from homes to stores and doctors offices, conduct classes on health issues, arts and crafts, writing, etc (the classes are free for the over 65 set, fees for the rest of us are low and help fund the A). They organize blood drives, Run for Life relays and other charity events providing seniors many opportunities to volunteer. For the home bound they operate a friend sitting service, someone to just come and be with you and maybe help around the house a little. I could go on. Bottom line: this organization is an asset to the community and has genuinely won much praise from many individuals over the years.
B has been a volunteer at the A for over thirty years, moving up in the ranks until she became the Executive Director over a decade ago. Much of the recent praise that the A receives can be attributed to her (though she would deny it and cite the A’s many volunteers instead). One of her greatest innovations was a series of programs designed to “narrow the generation gap.” One program has elderly volunteers giving talks in the local schools about how different (and yet how similar) life was when they were young – giving the students living, first hand, experience in the recent historical and social changes in society. Another program has teenagers helping the elderly understand new technologies (hell, I’m old enough to need some of that help).
Then about a year ago, things started to change. It started when, against B’s advice and objections, the Board of Directors for the A agreed to loan some garage space to C, a man who wanted start a boat building project (and, not coincidently, was related to one of the Board members). C, it turned out, was a con man. He charged several thousand dollars worth of materials to the A (despite the fact that he agreed that the only costs the A would incur was the free space) and somehow ended up pocketing the money and skipping town.
B was not affected by this since she had made her objections known before hand (and thanks to her excellent fund raising abilities and financial management, the A could absorb the hit… unpleasant as it was). Public reaction (letters to the editor, local talk radio, etc) made it clear that the public held B blameless but not the board. Several members of the board soon found themselves resigning. New elections were held and a new Board of Directors was seated. It looked as if things would return to normal.
Nope.
There was a new majority on the board and they were members of the same Baptist church. They soon made it clear that amongst their concerns was the “moral image” that the A was projecting. Not long after the new board took power, they fired B. She was told to gather up her personal items and walked out of the building. She was not even allowed to say goodbye to her staff… people that she had worked with for years, even decades. The board’s official reason was B’s “mismanagement” of the “boat project” affair.
Bullshit.
It was because B is a lesbian. The fact that she has been in a committed relationship for over twenty years (finally formalized by marriage last August… thank you, New York) was meaningless to them. The fact that she has been nothing but superb in her administrating the A was meaningless to them. Their “moral objection” to homosexuality is the reason, though they continue to deny it. One can’t help but wonder how many other ways this once fine organization will be diminished by people worried about “moral image” rather than results. Time will tell. There is an increasing community backlash against this new “moral” board and the A may yet be saved. The A, however, will not be enjoying the benefit of B’s skills and dedication again.
She has a new job.
There is another fine organization in our community… although my opinion may be somewhat biased since I have volunteered there for the last several years. D, is an art center that has three art galleries (one dedicated to newcomers who have never exhibited before) over twenty art studios, conducts art classes for both children and adults, hosts fund raising events for local charities (clothes closet, food pantry, save-a-pet) free of charge and is active in working with other organizations (including, at least until recently, the A) and schools to promote the arts. The Executive Director of D (one of the founders of the art center) retired last year due to health issues. For the past year D has gone through several temporary Directors… people dedicated to helping but not really interested in anything long term.
Not anymore.
B starts as our new Executive Director next month.
So take that you hate filled dimbulbs! Like all bigots you are to stupid to realize that your bigotry cuts you off from a lot of great talent… not to mention the pleasure of knowing some really decent and kind people. Your bigotry is your loss and our gain!
[sm=ass.gif]
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