Cheryl Jacques to Leave Human Rights Campaign

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004

CHERYL JACQUES TO LEAVE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

HRC Boards Put Transition Plan in Place

WASHINGTON – Citing a difference in management philosophy, the Human Rights Campaign’s boards and its president, Cheryl Jacques, announced that she will resign from her position.

“Cheryl hit the road almost as soon as she arrived and has been an effective advocate for our community,” said HRC Foundation Board Co-Chair Lawrie Demorest.

Jacques led HRC through the successful defeat earlier this year of the Federal Marriage Amendment in the House and Senate, and through a period of significant growth in fundraising and membership, including a record $30 million budget for 2004, and a membership that now exceeds 600,000.

“My priorities were to defeat the Federal Marriage Amendment, expand the organization’s membership and fundraising capacity, increase our diversity and maintain a strong voice in the media,” said Jacques.

“Cheryl has achieved a great deal as HRC President,” said HRC Board of Directors Co-chair Gwen Baba. “We will miss her leadership and professionalism, but we understand her desire to move on to other challenges. Cheryl was a member of the HRC family before she arrived in Washington, and she’ll remain part of us.”

The boards announced that HRC Board of Directors Co-chair Michael Berman and Hilary Rosen will lead the organization through the transition while a search for a new leader is underway. Berman is president of The Duberstein Group in Washington and Rosen led HRC’s strategic efforts to defeat of the FMA. Rosen will be focused on internal, strategic issues and management.

“HRC has a very deep bench of experienced and talented senior staff who are already working on new strategies in the fight for equality,” added Berman. “In addition to recalculating our political efforts, we will enhance our activities in the corporate world, in the media and, most important, in communities of faith.”

The Board of Directors and the Foundation Board will meet with staff in early December in Las Vegas for their annual winter meeting to prioritize the agenda and organize the transition to new leadership.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.

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