EQCA names new ED

Equality California has selected Roland Palencia as their new executive director, the statewide LGBT lobbying group announced this week.

In a statement Monday announcing his selection, EQCA officials called Palencia "a trailblazing LGBT activist with extensive experience in leading and managing multi-million dollar non-profit organizations."

"It's a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of literally millions of LGBT Californians." Palencia, an out gay Latino man, said of his new job.

Previous EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors resigned March 31 after nine years with the organization. Palencia's first day will be July 5. He currently serves as the community benefits director for L.A. Care Health Plan, a $1.2 billion public health plan.

Palencia, 53, declined to state his salary, but Vaishalee Raja, an EQCA spokeswoman, disclosed that it's $170,000.

The addition of Palencia could bolster EQCA's image as an organization that's committed to diversity. Kors served on the executive committee of the No on Prop 8 campaign in 2008. That campaign, which fought unsuccessfully to defeat California's same-sex marriage ban, was criticized for largely ignoring black, Latino, and Asian voters.

EQCA is holding town halls across the state, including one in San Francisco tonight (Thursday, May 19), to discuss repealing Prop 8 at the ballot box. The law is currently the subject of the Perry v. Brown federal lawsuit.

Asked about returning to the ballot in 2012 with a same-sex marriage initiative, Palencia said, "I don't really have a position, and I don't think the organization does. I think the town halls are providing an opportunity to listen, to learn, and to just look at the latest polling." He also mentioned "getting opinions from political experts," as well as allies to the LGBT community.

"Are they prepared to come along?" he said. "... Assuming the LGBT population in California is 10 percent or so, most of the votes are going to come from our allies."

Palencia said his involvement in the No on 8 campaign included writing checks and phone banking. He didn't remember how much he'd contributed.

"I wish I could have been more heavily involved," said Palencia.

The Yes on 8 campaign effectively scared many voters into supporting the anti-gay measure by warning in ads that if Prop 8 didn't pass, their children could be harmed. Asked about how those messages could be countered in the future, Palencia said, "I think we need to really show our families a lot more. We really need to make the general public understand there are gay families who care about their children and who want to keep their families together."

EQCA is involved in more than marriage equality, and is backing several pieces of state legislation, including bills related to health and student safety.

As far as changes he wants to make at the organization, Palencia said, "I think I want to definitely connect our movement to a larger movement for social justice and economic justice."

He said he plans to meet with members of the state Legislature's LGBT caucus and various groups throughout the state.

The Bay Area is "one of the key places" he would spend time in, he said.

Palencia said access to affordable health care is one of the areas he'd like to see more work on.

With government plans to enroll about 500,000 people in health care in California by 2014, "I think the LGBT community needs to be front and center in terms of making sure we get our community involved in those programs that would benefit them," he said.

EQCA, which also includes the educational branch Equality California Institute, now has a budget of roughly $6 million to $6.5 million. Palencia said, "I don't have a number" for what that amount should look like in two years.

"I think we need to look at our needs, we need to look at our priorities, and then we can go from there" in terms of staffing and financing to make those accomplishments, he said.

Previous posts

From 1992 to 1998, Palencia was the chief of operations and vice president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, an international HIV/AIDS health care organization where he played a key role in building the medical infrastructure and financial resources to support HIV/AIDS services. He wouldn't disclose his HIV status when asked by the Bay Area Reporter .

In 2003, Palencia was appointed as the Greater Los Angeles Area regional director for the California Endowment, a private foundation that annually grants more than $170 million to California-based entities in the area of health. Palencia directed a multi-county department and funded dozens of community-based organizations per year.

Fundraising is seen as one of the key elements of Palencia's new job, and he indicated he's up for it.

"I've done all kinds of fundraising," he said, explaining that he's raised "millions" in private foundation and government money, and he's brought in funds for political campaigns.

Praise for Palencia

People who know Palencia say EQCA's made the right decision.

Palencia currently is on the advisory board of the Latino LGBT political action committee Honor PAC.

Luis Lopez, a founding board member of the group who no longer serves on the board, said Palencia has "done a phenomenal job as an advocate, as an organizer, [and] as an activist" in the LGBT and Latino communities.

Honor Fund Executive Director Carlos Marquez said in a statement, "California's evolving diverse LGBT landscape requires a leader who fundamentally understands the struggles confronting traditionally underserved LGBT persons and their families. That leader is Roland Palencia."

Similarly, API Equality-LA co-chair Marshall Wong wrote in an e-mail to the B.A.R., "For nearly 30 years, Roland has been an effectively leader and a tireless advocate for the LGBT community, for communities of color, and for immigrants. His experience and track record in running large, complex organizations, vast knowledge of the funding world, and personal relationships with elected officials throughout the state will serve him well in his new position."

Locally, out San Francisco mayoral candidate Bevan Dufty, who's known Palencia for more than 20 years, said EQCA's made "an outstanding choice."

"He's a true community builder, and he will extend EQCA's reach to ensure that when we return to the ballot for marriage equality, there will be broad support," said Dufty.

Palencia said Los Angeles "will be my home base, but obviously I will be traveling throughout the state of California."

Thursday's town hall is set for 7 to 9 p.m. at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street. Palencia said "unfortunately," he wouldn't be there.