- Paul Scott
Paul Scott is stepping down as executive director of Equality Texas to become executive director of AIDS Services of Austin. Scott previously served as executive director of Resource Center Dallas before joining Equality Texas four years ago. During his tenure, the statewide LGBT advocacy group essentially put a stop to years of anti-gay legislation in Texas, and in the 2009 session, there were 17 pro-equality bills. Scott will be leaving at the end of February, and Equality Texas is conducting a nationwide search for his replacement. We’ll undoubtedly have more on Scott’s departure in a future issue of Dallas Voice, but for now, read this morning’s press release after the jump.
EQUALITY TEXAS ANNOUNCES THAT PAUL SCOTT HAS ACCEPTED POSITION AT ASA
EQTX is positioned to move forward confidently with 2010 program initiatives
Austin, Texas (January 8, 2010) – After four years at Equality Texas, Paul Scott will be returning to HIV/AIDS direct service work having accepted the position of Executive Director at AIDS Services of Austin effective March 1, 2010. Prior to Equality Texas, Paul served as Executive Director for Resource Center Dallas and Chattanooga CARES HIV/AIDS Resource Center.
“We are extremely grateful to Paul for the leadership he has provided over the last four years,” said Martha Oestreich, Chair of the Board of Directors of Equality Texas Foundation. “Our accomplishments have positioned Equality Texas to move forward confidently and effectively with our program initiatives in 2010. Our work in 2010 includes the expansion of our Outreach and Equality Project programs to engage and activate more Texans in support of equality. We will continue our progress within our Safe Schools Initiative in advance of the 2011 Legislative Session,” said Oestreich.
Under Paul’s leadership, Equality Texas successfully worked at the Texas Capitol to broaden and strengthen support for equality by lessening and then eliminating anti-equality legislation in 2007, and then by moving forward on a 17-bill pro-equality legislative agenda in 2009, including safe schools legislation, equal protections for families, and nondiscrimination legislation.
“Over the last four years, Paul has worked tirelessly to strengthen the capacity of the organization to work statewide on a sustainable basis,” said Rob Scamardo, Chair of the Board of Directors of Equality Texas. “Equality Texas’ collaborative work with local members and local organizations has improved the lives of Texans through domestic partnership benefits in El Paso, expanded nondiscrimination policies in Fort Worth, and the historic election of Annise Parker as mayor of Houston, the first openly-gay mayor of a major U.S. city,” Scamardo added.
Equality Texas has a professional staff committed to working across the state in partnership with its members and allies and in collaboration with like-minded organizations. Equality Texas’ strong, committed board of directors is actively engaged in the governance of the organization and excited that the coming year offers the opportunity for continued progress in implementing the agency’s comprehensive strategic plan, annual plan, development plans, and programs.
Equality Texas and Equality Texas Foundation are engaged in a national search process for a new executive director. Paul Scott will continue at Equality Texas through the end of February.
