The Human
Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT rights advocate, on Monday
terminated its president, Alphonso David, over the role he played in
allegations against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
While Cuomo
has denied the charge that he sexually harassed 11 women employees, he stepped
down after New York Attorney General Letitia James released her report on the
accusations.
David, the
group's first Black president, is mentioned several times in James' report.
HRC co-chairs
Jodie Patterson and Morgan Cox explained in a statement that David was
terminated under the “for cause” provision of his contract.
“At HRC, we
are fighting to bring full equality and liberation to LGBTQ+ people everywhere.
That includes fighting on behalf of all victims of sexual harassment and assault,”
Patterson and Cox said. “As outlined in the New York Attorney General report,
Mr. David engaged in a number of activities in December 2020, while HRC
President, to assist Gov. Cuomo’s team in responding to allegations by Ms.
Boylan of sexual harassment. This conduct in assisting Governor Cuomo’s team,
while president of HRC, was in violation of HRC’s Conflict of Interest policy
and the mission of HRC.”
Joni Madison,
the group's current chief operating officer, was named interim president.
David worked
in New York state government for 12 years and was appointed by Cuomo to serve
as Counsel to the Governor.
In her report,
James discusses David's role in providing personnel files on a former Cuomo
advisor, Lindsey Boylan. The files were leaked to the press in an attempt to
discredit her. David also helped draft a letter that questioned Boylan's
motivations for coming forward. The letter was never published.
David has said
that he was “legally obligated” to provide the files on Boylan and “was not
involved” in their release. He also has said that he refused to sign the letter
questioning Boylan's motives and “never agreed to circulate it.”
In a Twitter
post, David vowed to fight his termination, calling it “unjust.”
“After I
demanded truth and transparency, the HRC board co-chairs who should stand for
human rights elected to hide in darkness,” David wrote. “They unjustly provided
notice of termination to me in order to end my fight for the integrity of the
review process and for what is right.”
“As a Black,
gay man who has spent his whole life fighting for civil and human rights, they
cannot shut me up. Expect a legal challenge,” he added.
HRC said it
would begin a search to find David's replacement.
SOURCE: ON TOP MAG
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