Monday, November 24, 2008

Turnover at EQMD

Equality Maryland has been the clearest, most public voice for LGBT Marylanders in recent years, thanks to the energy and leadership of its executive director, Dan Furmansky. Next month Furmansky is stepping down from that role, which he took on in 2003 after two years with the Human Rights Campaign.

The Washington Post this morning talks about his replacement:
Equality Maryland, the state's largest gay rights group, will resume its quest for marriage equality in Annapolis in January with a new executive director at the helm.

Kate Runyon succeeds Dan Furmansky, who is leaving to pursue consulting and writing projects. Runyon was interim director of the Michigan-based Triangle Foundation. She has extensive experience in leadership positions with faith groups, which are viewed by gay rights advocates in Maryland as a crucial constituency in building support for a bill legalizing same-sex marriage.

The bill did not reach the floor of the House or Senate in the General Assembly's 2007 session, although the legislature passed and Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) signed two laws giving same-sex couples rights to joint property ownership and medical decision-making. Advocates are steeling themselves for another fight next year.

"We're not going to stop asking for equal protection under the law," Furmansky said. Among the strategies advocates plan to use to sway lawmakers will be real stories of the hardships of life without a marriage license so lawmakers and their constituents "understand the tangibles," he said. Gay Rights Group Names New Executive Director

Runyon, who served in the Peace Corps, has been director of programming for Canterbury House, an Episcopal ministry to University of Michigan students, faculty and staff, and executive director of Oasis Ministry, an LGBT program of the Michigan Diocese of the Episcopal Church. She served as board member with the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, and worked with the Greater Detroit Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion through the National Conference for Community and Justice's Different People Common Ground, Leadership In the New Century and American Arab and Jewish Friends programs.

16 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Marriage equality, one of two EQ MD priorities. Can anyone name the other? I suspect not.

November 24, 2008 11:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think it's the illegalization of negative comments about homosexuality.

Do I win a prize?

November 24, 2008 12:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I suspect it has something about wanting homosexual opponents to treat people with the same degree of civility and respect that they demand for themselves. But I know EQMD's objectives are far-reaching and enlightened.
Mr. Anonymous...would it ever be possible for you to say anything that isn't saturated with hatred, dripping with vituperation, and oozing with sanctimony?

November 24, 2008 3:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Are you denying that EQ wants to make it illegal to refer to homosexuality in a negative way?

November 24, 2008 3:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you believe EQMD has a priority make "negative comments" illegal, what is the basis of your belief? Did EQMD file a law suit against "negative commenters" or request legislation making "negative comments" illegal?

November 24, 2008 4:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm not answering any questions until I get an answer to mine!

November 24, 2008 4:47 PM  
Blogger JimK said...

I'll answer your question, Anon. Equality Maryland does not want to make negative comments about homosexuality illegal.

JimK

November 24, 2008 5:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Four Anonymous questions were asked before mine. Unless you answer this question, I can't answer yours: which of the four questions was yours?

November 24, 2008 5:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous can't distinguish between making negative comments about homosexuality and insulting queer people and their friends. It's all the same to him. What do we call this?

November 25, 2008 7:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices is a bigot

November 25, 2008 7:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Andrea- not anon
I will miss Dan - he is a really nice person as well as having been a great leader for EQMD.

On another topic, I read yesterday that Ted Haggard, having decided to renounce his former pleasures, is back preaching. You gotta love the evangelicals- no quarter for people in a committed gay relationship but total acceptance of an adulterous user of street drugs and male prostitutes. Hate and Hypocrisy- that's what I look for in my religious leaders.

November 25, 2008 8:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Equality Maryland does not want to make negative comments about homosexuality illegal."

That's a relief.

What is the other EQ "priority" then?

Is it to outlaw reparative therapy?

November 25, 2008 9:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dan is a great guy; I agree, Andrea.

Nobody REALLY cares what you say, AnonBigot.

Saludos.

November 25, 2008 7:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Nobody REALLY cares what you say"

Yes, you proved that by bringing it up.

November 26, 2008 6:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'd probably take a bullet for Dan if it ever came down to it.

He will be missed at EQMD. Having been an executive assistant and manager in his office for nearly half of the last year, i can honestly say he is one of the finest quality of people i have ever worked for and with.

November 30, 2008 7:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

why don't you quit your job and go on a hunger strike to protest his departure?

it's probably better than taking a bullet!

December 01, 2008 7:29 AM  

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