Jim Clark and Dennis Zobel at the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs 2009 convention last April in Washington D.C.

Gay couple claim illegal removal from square dance association
QSanAntonio.com, December 11, 2009

A San Antonio gay couple, elected as officers of the Alamo Area Square and Round Dance Association, say they were illegally removed from the organization’s Executive Board last June.

Jim Clark and Dennis Zobel represent the Alamo City Wranglers, a local, gay square dance group that has belonged to the Association for 16 years.

Last April, Zobel was elected by unanimous vote as President of the Association, a group of 24 square dance clubs from around the San Antonio metropolitan area. In previous years, Zobel has served as the Association’s Secretary, Treasurer, Second Vice President and First Vice President.

Clark, Zobel’s partner of 34 years, was elected along with him as it is the Association’s practice to let each officer serve with their spouse.

"After attending at least 100 dances over the years everyone knew and seemed to accept Dennis and Jim as a couple," one member of the Wranglers told QSanAntonio.

In April, at a newsletter assembly at Lions Field, Zobel says he had a disagreement with a member named Nathala Moody. The dispute was over the ouster of an Association officer. Zobel says the incident was a private matter and that after the argument he apologized to Moody.

The following week at a brunch where the Association’s newly elected and appointed officers were to be introduced, Zobel again apologized publicly.

However, Joan Bishop, the President of the Association at the time, got involved and took Moody’s side in the argument. Zobel says Bishop escalated the tiff into a referendum on his ability to remain an officer for the group and his qualifications to serve as President.

"Joan set up a special meeting that became a trial. Despite many members urging her to stop, many things she did violated the Association’s by-laws. She went so far as to prepare all the notices and correspondence for the meeting slanting them to her point of view," says Zobel.

Prior to the meeting, Bishop distributed her version of the encounter and urged removal of Zobel and Clark.

At the meeting Zobel and Clark were not allowed to vote. The Alamo City Wranglers’ delegates voting rights were challenged and their votes were taken away as were the votes of several clubs sympathetic to the couple.

"In spite of Roberts Rules of Order requiring a two-thirds vote for affirmation, a vote was taken on the issues and passed with a simple majority. Jim and I were removed from office and are not allowed to ever run again," says Zobel.

Despite the vote of no confidence, some Association members have stepped forward to voice their displeasure over how Bishop conducted the meeting and the unfair treatment the couple received.

As of now five clubs have quit the Association with five to seven more planning to exit. Former officers, past Presidents and other members of the Association have organized the ‘Friends of Justice.’ They have hired a lawyer and are suing the Association on Zobel and Clark’s behalf.

The Alamo Area Square and Round Dance Association is a 501(c)7 organization and as such must adhere to certain procedural guidelines. Members of clubs who have broken off from the Association say many of those guidelines were violated with Zobel and Clark’s removal. Some have told Zobel that they believe the couple’s expulsion was gay-related.

The Alamo City Wranglers, the San Antonio club that Zobel and Clark belong to, was established 20 years ago and is the first GLBT square dance club in Texas. The Wranglers meet weekly and participate in dances given by other area clubs as well as civic events all over town. In addition to being a member of the local Association, the group also belongs to the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs.

A fund has been set up to help with the legal expenses the couple will incur in the suit against the Association. Zobel says he is keeping track and has promised to try to repay, win or lose, anyone who helps.

Those interested in assisting the couple or wishing them well can contact them by email at jim-clark@sbcglobal.net