'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. 'Mama' Tere Strickland 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. You can discuss this New Zealand gay community news story in the GayNZ.com Forum
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 15th October 2010 - 11:36am