It's with joy for Rue, and sadness that my awesome co-chair at Liberty City has to step down, that I share an email I just sent to Liberty City members:

Dear Liberty City member,

You may have read about this in the Inquirer today, but Rue Landau, Liberty City co-chair, has been appointed the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, by Mayor Nutter.

Because of this incredible opportunity, and the city’s ethics laws, Rue has stepped down as the female co-chair of Liberty City. Casey Cook, long-time Liberty City Board member, after a Board vote, has agreed to step in as the interim-chair.

Casey will help me and the board continue our process of expanding our leadership to represent the entire LGBT Philadelphia community—including more women, people of color, and trans folks.

Rue’s appointment is a real victory for Liberty City. Our group was founded in 1994 to make sure that LGBT Philadelphians have a voice in state and local government. The decision by Mayor Nutter to put Rue in charge of enforcing civil rights laws for all Philadelphians validates Liberty City's work. And is also recognition of Rue's amazing skill as an attorney and a leader for change.

Rue sent a goodbye message that she wanted to share:

This is a bittersweet moment for me. I am very excited to start my job at the PCHR. At the same time, it requires me to step down as Co-Chair of Liberty City, an organization that I love. I know you will all continue your amazing work to support out LGBT and LGBT-friendly candidates. Over the years, Liberty City has grown to be a strong force in the Democratic party. We have educated candidates and moved our issues into the forefront of every debate. I am very proud to have been a part of that effort. Keep up the incredible work!

With Rue Landau as a powerful new ally in city government, and with the commitment to grassroots change that each and every one of you brings to Liberty City, there’s no where to go but up for us!

Yours truly,
Ray Murphy
Co-Chair

You can check out the Inky article for more info here. (I've included the pic from the article here: poor Rue has been doomed by the papers to be bathed in the green light of Woody's forever...at least the spikes of my hair (I think) help soften the look ;)