Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bay Windows - April 14, 2005
Laura Kiritsy, lkiritsy@baywindows.com.
"I don't think I could be more excited about being here at GLAD," said Swislow, during an interview at the organization's headquarters in downtown Boston. "We all know it's an amazing and historic moment for GLBT civil rights and so to be at GLAD, the organization that's right in the center of it, it's both thrilling and somewhat humbling."
Swislow joins the agency after serving five years at JRI Health, which provides a spectrum of health services to GLBT people and other underserved populations. Prior to JRI, she was the chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at the Cambridge Health Alliance. In taking the helm of GLAD, Swislow is filling a vacancy that has existed since former executive director Gary Buseck left the organization in January 2004. (Buseck has since returned to GLAD as the agency's legal director.)
She also comes to the agency during a period of growth spurred by GLAD's historic victory in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health in November 2003. Since that time, the organization's staff has grown from 16 to 23 people; more significantly its budget has increased from $1.4 million in 2003 to $2.6 million. Swislow said she plans to put some of those new resources to use strengthening GLAD's presence and connections to GLBT organizations in the other New England states.
While Swislow said that building on the success of Goodridge is one of her top priorities, she does not want the marriage issue to eclipse GLAD's other important work, particularly around discrimination against transgender people and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, there are other critical issues related to GLBT civil rights that GLAD must continue to address, said Swislow, in areas like employment and family law.
She is also hopeful that GLAD can be helpful on a national level, given that the climate in parts of the country beyond New England is more hostile to GLBT rights - and, according to opponents of gay rights, a direct result of the advances GLBT advocates have made in Massachusetts. "I think in any struggle for civil rights ... you need to fight for what you want. There's going to be wins and there's going to be opposition," said Swislow, adding that she thought GLAD had a lot to offer groups around the country.
Swislow lives in Cambridge with her spouse Denise McWilliams, an attorney and former director of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and GLAD's AIDS Law Project.
050414
BY050403
Copyright © 2005 - Bay Windows. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through Bay Windows - ..
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .