Jul 09, 2004  |  By: BRYAN ANDERTON  | COMMENTS     

After two years on the job, David Tseng, the most recent executive director of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays, decided to trade parents for politics.

Tseng, who stepped down from his post as the head of the national office of PFLAG in June, said this week he left the group to work on the John Kerry presidential campaign as a pension policy consultant and an adviser on gay issues.

“I hope that I can help our movement in this capacity as well,” Tseng said. “I think it’s one of the most important elections of our lifetime. The prospect of another four years of active intolerance by the executive branch should be unacceptable to any GLBT American.”

It’s not a new role for Tseng, who arrived at PFLAG in June 2002 after spending several years working in the Clinton White House as a pension policy consultant. He called Kerry and his running mate, John Edwards, one of the most gay-friendly tickets ever, and said that a record 200-plus gay delegates will attend the Democratic National Convention this month in Boston.

Tseng announced his resignation from PFLAG in an April letter to the group’s members, saying he had decided to leave the organization “to pursue additional professional opportunities.” His departure was effective June 1.

PFLAG officials said this week that they wish Tseng good luck in his new endeavors.

“We wish him the best, and we appreciate the excellent job he did in support of our members and the LGBT community,” said Alice Leeds, PFLAG’s national communications director. “He helped to bring PFLAG’s position — both in the public eye as well as in support of our mission — to a whole new level.”

Tseng emphasized that his departure from PFLAG was amicable from all sides, and that he has stayed in touch with the organization and has tried to help them during the transition period.

“They were wonderful to me, and it was a privilege to work with the amazing mothers and fathers across the country,” Tseng said. “I’m proud of what we accomplished together.”

Samuel Thoron, PFLAG’s president, said in the April letter announcing Tseng’s departure, “Under [Tseng’s] leadership, the reach and visibility of PFLAG has experienced a manifold increase. We have received outstanding coverage in national broadcast and print media as well as increased exposure on the Internet. He spearheaded our renewed and enhanced advocacy work in the halls of Congress. He has brought us to the forefront in the national marriage equality debate. He has led us in increased outreach to communities of color.”

Schlittler fills in
Leeds said that PFLAG is currently not interviewing any candidates to replace Tseng. Since his departure, field and policy director Ron Schlittler has been serving as PFLAG’s interim executive director.

Schlittler has worked in PFLAG’s field and policy department for seven years, first as a coordinator and then as the department’s director. Leeds called his work in that role “truly distinguished.”

“Ron’s familiarity with all facets of our mission is deep and profound, and his relationship with member chapters is really unparalleled,” Leeds said. “He brings expertise in all of the areas for which an executive director would be accountable.”

Leeds said PFLAG’s board plans to meet soon to put together a search committee, but that she did not know when the organization would begin interviewing candidates for executive directors.

In the meantime, however, she said PFLAG is happy with the job Schlittler is doing.

“We are examining our options, and to date are delighted that Ron Schlittler is proceeding in a superlative manner,” Leeds said.

Schlittler said his first weeks in the position have been an opportunity for him to grow, personally and professionally.

“It’s gone wonderfully,” Schlittler said. “I’ve gotten tremendous support from the board, the staff, the membership around the country … Overall, I’ve been very, very pleased at how quite smooth things have been going.”

Bryan Anderton can be reached at banderton@washblade.com.