Jamie Lee Hamilton’s credentials as an LGBT–rights activist go back as far as 1978, when she participated in Vancouver’s first gay-pride march. In an ironic twist of fate, Hamilton finds herself having to defend her seat on the Vancouver Pride Society’s board of directors after this year’s 30th-anniversary Pride Parade on August 3.

A motion to rescind Hamilton’s March 31, 2008, appointment as an interim director was included on the agenda of the group’s board meeting on July 21. This was deferred to the first post–Pride Parade board meeting, set for August 18.

“It’s…because I keep their feet to the fire,” Hamilton told the Straight, referring to the attempt to remove her from the board.

In a mass e-mail sent on the eve of the July 21 meeting, Hamilton stated that the move comes on the heels of her “demanding answers and accountability regarding Pride finances and sponsorship air [airline] dollars being inappropriately given out”. In the same message, Hamilton also noted that she has “brought forward a sensitive issue regarding an incident at a Pride sponsored youth dance involving a Pride director”.

VPS president John Boychuk told the Straight that he didn’t put the Hamilton motion on the agenda, and claimed he didn’t know who had done so.

“Overall, Director Hamilton has brought new ideas to the board,” Boychuk said when asked to describe Hamilton’s relationship with the majority of the board. “She has challenged some of the ways that we do business, and she believes in a high level of accountability to the community.”

Boychuk also noted that there have been “some growing pains in association with Director Hamilton coming onboard”.

Hamilton’s appointment to the board resulted from a motion by VPS vice president Laura McDiarmid. McDiarmid told the Straight she will not support any move to oust Hamilton. However, she noted that she may not be in town when the board convenes again on August 18. She said she will try to set a meeting for immediately after the parade.