GLAA renews endorsement of Ingebretsen for Commission on Human Rights
Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC
P. O. Box 75265
Washington, DC 20013
(202)667-5139
November 5, 2001
The Honorable Anthony Williams
Mayor of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
Dear Mayor Williams:
I am writing to urge you to appoint Edward Ingebretsen to a seat on the D.C. Human Rights Commission.
There is currently only one openly gay Commissioner, Peter Schott, whose term expires at the end of the year. He is ineligible for re-appointment because he has already served two terms, the maximum allowed by law. There may well be other vacancies on the Commission by the end of the year, whether because of term limits or for other reasons.
There has been at least one openly gay member of the Human Rights Commission since Mayor Walter Washington named Dr. Frank Kameny to a seat in 1975. For more than a quarter-century, gay and lesbian Commissioners have consistently proven themselves as dedicated and effective members, reflecting our community's intense interest in vigorous enforcement of the landmark D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977. We trust your administration will keep this record of service intact by naming at least one openly gay Commissioner in the months ahead.
Ed Ingebretsen has recently re-affirmed his willingness to serve the District in this capacity. To refresh your memory of his background and qualifications, I have enclosed a copy of our April 10, 2000 letter that first endorsed his appointment.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Bob Summersgill
President
Enclosure
cc: Jackie Randolph, Office of Boards and Commissions
Wanda Alston, Office of Community Outreach
Councilmember Jim Graham
Councilmember Adrian Fenty
Councilmember Phil Mendelson
Councilmember Kathy Patterson
Edward Ingebretsen
