Equality California Executive Director to Step Down

Roland Palencia, the recently appointed executive director of Equality California, the state's leading LGBT rights group, has resigned and will step down by this Friday, marking the latest departure from the organization that appears to be hemorrhaging staff members.

Equality California announced the move Monday evening in an email reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. Equality California said it would release a "transition plan" by the end of this week.

In a phone interview with the Chronicle, Palencia insisted he was not forced to resign by the board. He said, "I literally made a personal decision that I wanted to move on. There's really nothing more to it."

Asked about the organization's financial situation, Palencia said, "Right now a lot of nonprofits are having problems," but he added that Equality California enjoys "a lot of support."

According to the Chronicle, Equality California has experienced drastic personnel cuts this year, with staff numbers shrinking from 18 to 11 and more transitions pending.

Palencia's departure comes as opponents of a new gay history law, SB48, are trying to qualify a referendum to repeal the measure before a Wednesday deadline. Equality California has been preparing to defend the law.