Statement FAQ:
Below are a few answers to some of the questions we are able to answer at this time. Thank you for your patience in response. See original post here.Q: Why did DDLA wait so long to present this information?
There was never an intentional delay in action by the remaining board. We found out about the misappropriated funds in October 2024 and with a sense of urgency began to process, investigate and navigate this loss within DDLA. While sorting out our own emotions around the incident, we continued to meet regularly off-season to figure out how to handle the next steps. We then went through a thorough accounting review, implemented more safeguards within the structure of the organization, and set up time to seek guidance from community members, a non-profit attorney, and potential mediators. None of us have experience with dealing with something so communally complex. We are trying to move forward the best we can while continuing to consult legal counsel.
These initial steps were lengthy and the responsibility of a very small volunteer team who all have full time jobs and other obligations. Running parallel to these tasks were scheduling and meeting with trusted community advisors, reassessing and strengthening our community agreements and mission statement to organize an agreed upon accountability plan.
Taking a large amount of time was also attempting to engage with the person in our developing accountability plan, while also making diligent, weekly efforts to recover the funds taken. We are still trying to move forward with an accountability process with them.
Q: What impact did this have on the operations and payments to vendors and performers?
Our team put in additional volunteer hours to work on ensuring we were able to deliver Dyke Day LA 2025 with all talent and logistics PAID IN FULL.
While the investigative process was on-going, we also made sure to meet financial goals including making sure we can continue with upcoming DDLA events. We were successful in expanding our fundraising efforts as well as recovering some of the funds from the person responsible for this hardship. This helped ensure that we met our financial goals including paying collaborators (DJs, performers, etc) in full.
Q: What steps have you taken to make Dyke Day more secure?
The team has evaluated and strengthened its recruiting and onboarding processes. The board positions left open had been filled with more qualified and vetted community members allowing us to produce our successful series of events in 2025. Ongoing operational reviews will also be conducted to help ensure DDLA’s security for our 18th year and beyond.
Q: What’s next?
We hope to continue to produce our events this year with an even stronger dedication and celebration of our expansive LA and surrounding Dyke, Queer, and Trans communities.
We love being in community alongside our volunteers, collaborators, and partners. We love those who show up at our events to enjoy, relax, play in all the ways, meet new people, see old friends, and hang with Family of all kinds. We are a small volunteer team who work year-round to produce Dyke Day LA. Strengthening the foundation of our team and looking forward to seeing folks filled with joy has unified our focus and reignited our passion to come together to produce this exponentially growing and extremely vital free LA Pride weekend event. Thank you for your continued support.
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