Leading LGBT rights group GLAAD is
looking for a new president barely a year after it named Herndon
Graddick to the position.
Graddick resigned effective immediately
in a statement released on Friday.
“I'm proud to leave GLAAD with a
stronger, more efficient organization and an incredibly talented and
experienced board and staff,” said Graddick. “I'm happy [with]
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.”
Thom Reilly, chairman of GLAAD's board,
added: “GLAAD is very grateful for Herndon's work championing LGBT
rights, especially his work on behalf of the trans community. On
behalf of the entire organization, I want to wish him the best.”
Under Graddicks' leadership, the group
created awareness campaigns around issues more closely related to the
transgender community.
Dave Montez, GLAAD's chief of staff,
will serve as interim president.