Gay NZ, New Zealand
Strickland "resigns" from social services agency
By GayNZ.com Daily News staff
15th October 2010 - 11:36 am
'Mama' Tere Strickland has resigned from the social service agency
which has employed her for the past ten years, according to a letter
distributed yesterday.
GayNZ.com understands the letter, from the Mangere East Family
Services Centre, says that she has "resigned," effective later this
month. This morning the Centre's head, Peter Sykes, confirmed that
Strickland and the Centre would be parting company. But he says there
is now some debate over the language used in announcing her departure
and he is unable to comment further until he has met with Strickland,
probably early next week.
Strickland hit the news late last month when it was revealed that she
was to receive one of the highest honours bestowed by the NZ AIDS
Foundation's Trust Board, a Life Membership. Strickland is a member of
the Maori advisory group to the Trust Board.
In the subsequent public uproar she was accused of having done little
to further the interests of transgender street workers as claimed by
the Foundation. A history of claimed violence towards the street
workers and her strenuous opposition to the legalisation of
prostitution were cited as reasons the honour is considered by many to
be inappropriate.
Anna Reed, of the Christchurch branch of the NZ Prostitutes
Collective, has refused to accept her own Life Membership if
Strickland is also honoured.
The NZAF is still reviewing the matter after receiving a formal complaint.
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