Gay activist calls for SLC councilman to be ousted from nonprofit job

Dan82 · Aug 17, 2010

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50119420-76/penfold-hiv-aids-utah.html.csp

Less than a year after Stan Penfold became the first openly gay person elected to the Salt Lake City Council, some members of Utah’s gay and transgender community are calling for his ouster as executive director of the Utah AIDS Foundation.

Richard Matthews, a 29-year-old gay activist, has launched a Facebook petition to replace Penfold at the UAF, drawing 165-plus supporters as of Monday afternoon.

“I think he’s trying to take on too much,” said Hailey Hall, a Westminster College student and former UAF volunteer who signed the petition.

Penfold said Monday he has no plans to resign, and UAF board Chairman Shawn Jackson said the board supports Penfold but would like to speak with Matthews about his concerns. “It’s surprising to me that he has not contacted us” or Penfold, Jackson said.

Matthews, a former UAF volunteer, complains that Penfold has eliminated HIV/ AIDS prevention and support programs even as Utah’s infection rates continue to climb — tripling from 2000 to 2009. Matthews also charges that Penfold’s role as a part-time City Council member has short-changed his full-time job.

“It has been detrimental, during skyrocketing HIV infections, to have the executive director of the Utah AIDS Foundation now have his attention split with the also very pressing business of the City Council,” Matthews said.

He also questioned whether Penfold can be a “tough lobbyist” on Capitol Hill if he also has to represent Salt Lake City concerns.

Penfold said his position on the City Council strengthens his voice for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Utah...

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50119420-76/penfold-hiv-aids-utah.html.csp
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Gay activist calls for SLC councilman to be ousted from nonprofit job

Dan82 Full Member

Dan82
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