Herndon Graddick Resigns as President of GLAAD

Barely a year after GLAAD named its new president, Herndon Graddick is resigning from his position with the LGBT media watchdog group, according to a press release from GLAAD. Graddick's resignation is effective immediately.

Under Graddick's leadership, GLAAD launched a highly visible campaign against the Boy Scouts of America's discriminatory ban on gay scouts and scoutmasters. In fact, GLAAD is planning a demonstration on the ground in Dallas next week as the BSA's board considers revising its policy to permit openly gay youth, but continue to bar participation by openly gay or lesbian adults.

"I'm proud to leave GLAAD with a stronger, more efficient organization and an incredibly talented and experienced board and staff," said Graddick in the release. "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."

Graddick was also instrumental in GLAAD's awareness and media competency campaigns around issues impacting the transgender community. GLAAD worked closely with the Colorado family of a transgender 6-year-old whose school refused to allow her to use the girl's bathroom, filing a complaint with the state civil rights commission and elevating awareness about the situation.

Graddick also led GLAAD's efforts to educate the mainstream media on how to report on transgender people, including, most recently, the murder of Cemia Acoff, reports of whose death was bungled by local media in Cleveland. In November, the organization published a comprehensive report about transphobic violence and irresponsible media reporting called Doubly Victimized, that offered guidelines for mainstream media reports on transgender issues.

GLAAD's chief of staff, Dave Montez, will serve as acting president, according to the statement. The organization's board of directors is scheduled to meet next month to determine its next steps.

"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. "On behalf of the entire organization, I want to wish him the best."