TEA of Utah directors resign
Seth Bracken | Apr 08, 2011
http://qsaltlake.com/2011/04/08/tea-of-utah-directors-resign/ (http://qsaltlake.com/2011/04/08/tea-of-utah-directors-resign/)
The executive and assistant directors of the group Transgender Advocacy Education of Utah stepped down from their positions on Friday. In a press release, the directors, Chris and Teinamarrie Scuderi, apologized for comments they made to the press after an alleged incident of mistreatment at a Utah Drivers License Division. A transgender woman, Regina Audette, involved in the incident said that employees laughed and stared at her when she attempted to renew her driver's license.
[...]
After the argument occurred, the directors of TEA contacted the DLD and asked to review surveillance tapes. They told the press that the DLD followed procedures from what they could see on the tapes. Many of the members of the gay community took objection to their statements supporting the DLD and a Facebook group was started and it gathered more than 100 members called for their resignation.
On Friday afternoon, the directors of TEA stepped down and apologized for any harm they might have done with their statements.
Since 2003? Wow, the have done some things right if they were there to resign after 8 years of growing an organization that has been helpful in a terribly unhelpful environment. They went and did an advocacy that took the Utah DDL on. The fact that they DID SEE evidence of less than first page banner headline material is just that, a fact. It in fact is helpful, because there is a starting point for improvement that can be established. A drivers license office in any state has a social dynamic unlike any other place in its community, and it affects both customers and employees. Whatever happened between the Scuder's and the DDL folks certainly did not hurt the overall impression of trans people and the state employees. As a recently retired supervisor from another "front line unpleasant" agency in another state, I have had to mediate shouting matches in our public offices, and on a few occasions have had to deal with "advocacy groups". When the "advocates" came in with a thoughtful and non-confrontational attitude of learning both sides of a "problem", I learned their perception, could more accurately design training and counseling in line with their agenda. The "in you face" fire the B%$#@*D you F*&^&** S etc. type of advocacy gave me no idea of what or how to address the problem. Sigh. I wish the Scuders good luck in the future they have something to be proud of.