ANOTHER TIP OF THE BRIM Right on the heels of longtime Project Transitions Executive Director Charlotte Hale announcing news of her retirement comes this: Recent Austin Pride grand marshal Lee Manford, founding board chair (1987) and current executive director of AIDS Services of Austin since 1997, will retire from his position in the organization in early 2010. In his own words: “We honor our legacy, but our eyes are on the current and future needs of our clients and the community as we continue to battle a fierce and evolving epidemic. I’ve always hoped that I would have the good sense to exit gracefully from the agency when the time was right. The time is right: for me and for ASA.” This marks the torch passing of yet another dedicated double decader in the realm of Austin public service, and we are confident that we speak for so many when we say our gratitude is boundless. We have a feeling we’ll be seeing Manford active in a number of local LGBT to-dos, but honestly, if he took some time off for himself, who could blame the fella? Congratulations, Manford. Thanks for all you do.
In other GP news: Next weekend, United Court of Austin celebrates Coronation XVI. In last year’s “Best of Austin” issue, we awarded UCA’s Coronation the title of Best Place to See WMD (Wigs of Mass Destruction). Unlike most monarchies, this royalty is elected. You may vote this Saturday at the Wright House Wellness Center.
This article appears in August 7 • 2009.