Executive Director of Pride Steps Down

By Will Chadwick

August 10, 2009

Lindsey Jones was thrown a leaving party by Bevan Dufty in City Hall last week, and all of her fellow board members and Pride staff were there to give her warm speeches, gifts and hearty thanks for all her great work.

For those of you who don’t know, Lindsey Jones worked tirelessly in the role of Executive Director of San Francisco Pride for the last four years, raising millions of dollars in the process. She leaves us, not without some initial reservations, to go ride horses back in Arizona where she came from. Yes, it’s largely down to her that you all had such a great time at the Pride Festival this year (and last), and didn’t have to pay for it either.

Her influence will be missed by those who worked with her, and it showed in the many speeches that were given by the likes of Bevan Dufty, David Campos and Joshua Smith, among others. In a dewy-eyed speech, she highlighted the fact that her job had allowed her, among many other things, to “meet so many wonderful people.” It felt like many of them were in the room, too.

And this was no ordinary room: this was the office of Supervisor Bevan Dufty. Normally when you go to City Hall you expect serious and sober meetings; not this time. The tables were pushed to the edge of the room, and DJ Lamont laid down some groovy music, whilst attendees joyfully quaffed margaritas and champagne. The food was even provided by various local establishments whom Lindsey Jones had worked with before, including Squat and Gobble. People said it was the first time a DJ had been allowed up to the second floor of the building: another San Francisco first. Soon they’ll be playing in the Chamber of the Board of Supervisors, no doubt.

Either way, Lindsey was a great asset to both Pride and San Francisco, and her presence will be sorely missed. I am glad that I got to meet her before she rides off into the Arizona sunset.

William Chadwick

William Chadwick is a young English writer who has recently moved to San Francisco from London. He has worked on-and-off in journalism for almost ten years. He is passionate about the theater, and has directed and written several plays. He is currently trying his hand at teaching English.

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