Herndon Graddick has resigned as president of GLAAD, after serving only thirteen months in that role. Graddick, who had been with GLAAD as Vice President of Programs and Communications since 2010, transformed a struggling and financially challenged organization into a strong, focused well-oiled machine.
“I’m proud to leave GLAAD with a stronger, more efficient organization and an incredibly talented and experienced Board and staff,” Graddick said in a statement. “I’m happy the role I was able to play in advancing the need for our community to fully support the rights of our transgender brothers and sisters. Our movement is benefited by the leadership not only of heroes like Evan Wolfson, Chad Griffin, Mara Keisling, and Kate Kendell, but of the necessary and vital blogger and grassroots communities. I look forward to returning to a private life and supporting the fight from behind the scenes.”
And that is exactly like Herndon Graddick. Graddick, even before taking the helm of GLAAD reached out to me and other LGBT bloggers, was exceptional at developing partnerships, and as his statement shows, wasn’t afraid to work outside of his organization to help the LGBT community. He named the leaders of Freedom To Marry, HRC, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, along with bloggers and the grassroots community in his parting statement.
“Under Herndon’s tenure, GLAAD began campaigns including a national call for the Boy Scouts of America to end their ban on gay scouts and scout leaders,” GLAAD’s statement notes. “The organization also announced a continuation of its commitment to incorporate bisexual and transgender people as well as allies from diverse backgrounds in GLAAD’s work to shape the media narrative and build public support for LGBT people.”
“GLAAD is very grateful for Herndon’s work championing LGBT rights, especially his work on behalf of the trans community,†said GLAAD Board of Directors Chair Thom Reilly in the statement. “On behalf of the entire organization, I want to wish him the best.â€
As do we.
Herndon Graddick, as I told him at the GLAAD Awards in New York this year, has done an exceptional job at GLAAD. On a personal note, I’m sad to see him go.
We wish him all the best.