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Donald Hitchcock (left) says he was fired from his post at the DNC after his partner, Paul Yandura, criticized the organization in a public letter.
(Photo courtesy of Hitchcock)
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HOME > NEWS > NATIONAL NEWS
By: JOSHUA LYNSEN COMMENTS
 
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The response also says that while she informed Hitchcock it was his duty “to respond to criticism of the DNC from members of the GLBT community,” she cannot “admit or deny” she used the exact words used in the complaint.
In the aftermath of that meeting, the complaint says Andy Tobias, the DNC’s treasurer, asked Yandura to recant, fearing the organization would suffer and be forced to cut costs.
It says Tobias suggested to Yandura “that the DNC could cut costs by eliminating Mr. Hitchcock’s position,” and the comment “clearly constituted a threat to Mr. Hitchcock’s employment.”
In his response, Tobias denies that he ever threatened to eliminate Hitchcock’s position. Tobias, who is the Democratic Party's highest ranking gay person, is nationally recognized in activist circles as a prominent gay leader and fundraiser for the party.
The complaint says on his final day at the DNC, Hitchcock met with executive director Tom McMahon and chief of staff Rev. Leah Daughtry.
According to the complaint, McMahon and Daughtry told Hitchcock at that meeting that he was not being effective in his job.
“They gave Mr. Hitchcock the option to resign or be fired,” it says. “When Mr. Hitchcock asked for more time to make a decision, Rev. Daughtry insisted on an immediate answer. After Mr. Hitchcock refused to resign, Rev. Daughtry fired him.”
Hitchcock’s lawsuit alleges he was discriminated against and treated differently because he is gay.
It also alleges the DNC “threatened, interfered with and retaliated against” Hitchcock because he advocated for gay issues within the DNC.
The lawsuit further alleges that Dean, Tagen and Tobias separately defamed Hitchcock, and that defamation “had the intended effect of seriously damaging his professional reputation, which was otherwise outstanding.”
In responses filed by the DNC, Dean, Tagen and Tobias, the defendants collectively deny the allegations.
The responses say the defendants “did not at any time discriminate” against Hitchcock and “did not threaten, interfere with or retaliate against” him.
The responses also say Hitchcock’s lawsuit lacks “a claim upon which relief can be granted,” and the allegations of discrimination, retaliation and defamation “are barred by the statute of limitations.”
A scheduling conference for the case is set for Sept. 7. No trial date has bee
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