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Statement by Francisco AlvarezOctober 12, 2013

This morning I resigned from the Board of Directors of Pride Toronto. Over the past

week I became aware of scheming amongst other Board members to block my re-election

as Co-Chair. This went as far as them trying to find a way to prevent me from standing

for re-election to the Board at the upcoming AGM, which they cannot legally do (my 3

year term has ended but I intended to run for a second term). One Board member met

with me last week to hint that I should save face by voluntarily withdrawing.

After serious consideration of my options, I have decided that I cannot continue to work

with colleagues who are so duplicitous and unappreciative of my personal contribution to

this organization since February 2009.

The Board may try to spin their actions as moves made to ensure the long-term health of

the organization and to increase gender representation in the Board Executive. So why is

only one woman being recommended on the slate of candidates for election to the Board

at the AGM? Why were they trying to block my candidacy when I am the longest-serving

Board member? I was very clear that I intended to serve the full 3 years of the new termbut would not seek a position on the Executive after 2014. I believed that continuity of

leadership was important as Pride went onto the world stage.

I was elected Co-Chair during Prides darkest moments, when none of the then-members

of the Board were willing to run. I was the one who stood in front of the community

when we received the damning report of the Community Advisory Panel (CAP) and

apologized for the actions of the organization in preceding years. With Margaret Ngai,

Co-Chair at that time, I acted as Executive Director during the organizations greatest

crisis, which followed the resignation of Tracey Sandilands. We found the talented Glen

Brown and then Kevin Beaulieu to take this fraught leadership position and implement

the recommendations of the CAP report, resulting in greatly improved community

relations.

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In my tenure, the organization went from an operating deficit of more than $430,000 in

2010 to three consecutive years of surpluses of well over $200,000. (Pride will soon

announce another substantial surplus for the 2013 Festival year.) The expanded 2013

Festival was one of the best ever presented, with greater attendance and positive

economic impact than previous years.

I led the development of WorldPride, chairing many of the planning committees and

recruiting experienced volunteers for those committees through 2011 and 2012. I co-

wrote the WorldPride Strategic Plan with Co-Chair Luka Amona, and have planned and

led community information sessions about WorldPride. My creative ideas and ambitions

for WorldPride to be the best event we have ever produced are evident throughout the

organizations current plan for WorldPride, especially the many partnerships with cultural

organizations.

I have served as a media and community spokesperson for the organization throughout

this time, especially during the City of Torontos funding controversy, sparked by the

participation of QuAIA in the Pride Parade. I staunchly defended their right to participate

in our inclusive Festival, and continue to do so. Over the years I have represented Pride at

many public and government meetings, and at national and international LGBT events. I

have given countless hours and willingly sacrificed innumerable vacation days to work as

a volunteer for the betterment of Pride Toronto, in what I believed was solidarity with my

Board colleagues.

I would like to thank Margaret and Luka for standing with me through much of this time,

as well as Kevin and each member of Prides committed staff, and the talented volunteers

of Pride Toronto, for accompanying me on this exciting journey until today.