QUIT: Equality California Executive Director Roland Palencia Resigns After Three Months!

Roland Palencia, who began his tenure as Executive Director of Equality California on July 5, succeeding former head Geoff Kors, will step down as of Friday, October 14, the organization reports.

Reports Karen Ocamb of LGBT POV: When asked why he was stepping down, Palencia hesitated. He then agreed to go through with the interview for Frontiers, a portion of which will be posted immediately on FrontiersLA.com

Palencia is very concerned about Equality California as an organization: “I want to make sure that everyone supports the organization. This is the time for all of us to rally and support Equality California. I have seen how this organization literally changes lives. It is a community asset and we have to keep our eye on the prize.”

In a press release, Equality California said it would have a transition plan in place by the end of the week: “During his tenure with Equality California, Roland Palencia did important work to build diverse and inclusive coalitions and engage and reconnect our movement,” said Cathy Schwamberger, Equality California Institute Board Chair. “That work has helped to position our movement to fight back against attacks on the LGBT community and protect advances in equality–the effects of which will impact our movement for years to come. We are grateful for his service to Equality California and his contributions to our movement and wish him the best in all of his future endeavors.”