Today, I had the first of what I expect will be many phone conversations with Ted Martin, the new executive director for Equality PA. Ted has been on the job now only a short time, but comes to it with many years of experience, and is setting a course for real success for LGBT issues within Pennsylvania.

Formerly known as the Center for Civil Rights, and then, Equality Advocates of PA, the organization wants to be seen as a state-wide LGBT Rights organization. In December, things started to fall apart for the organization and for most of the first 6 months of the year, there was very little presence of the organization at all. For example, in early February their website totally disappeared and a Google search would find nothing except an old Center for Civil Rights page, and a blog that wasn’t being updated much.

Ted is getting all of that turned around, and is reaching out to individuals and organizations across the state. While the website is now only a single page that allows you to contribute money, the blog is being updated with some useful news, and I’m sure a full web presence is in development. Ted is stationed in Harrisburg, a change from the previous main office which was in Philadelphia.

Ted shared with me his vision of how LGBT organizations across the state can be partnering and working together, a sentiment I share as both a blogger and activist who is passionate about issue advocacy.

Good luck to the organization and to Ted. I look forward to working with him.