One of Chicago's last surviving transgender groups will continue uninterrupted after the organization decided not to vote on a proposal to dissolve.
Chicago Gender Society (CGS) will remain a social organization, despite growing challenges including the cancellation of its annual conference and waning membership.
The proposal was put forth last month by CGS President Carol Rodgers, just moments after she survived an impeachment vote stemming from conflicts with other CGS leaders.
Rodgers said she wanted to dissolve CGS to make room for a new group more focused on social services. She said the current bylaws limit what the group can do, and that restarting the organization could save it in the long run.
Rodgers' dissolution proposal came shortly after Illinois Gender Advocates (IGA), another transgender group dedicated to policy work, voted to disband. Like IGA, CGS has been an important resource for many middle-age and senior transgender women who come out later in life. But both groups have suffered shrinking attendance as society becomes more embracing of transgender people.
But many members say they are committed to the group and its longstanding mission to provide an affirming community for trans people. They questioned why Rodgers would disband a group that still has between 60-90 members rather than starting her own group.
After a heated discussion, the group decided not to take up the measure because questions were raised about whether a single board member could put forth a dissolution proposal, according to members Renee James and Katie Thomas.
Thomas said she was satisfied with the outcome.
"I think the greater opportunity for CGS is to grow rather than dissolve and rebuild," said Thomas.
Rodgers, however, said it was an opportunity missed. Her goal, she said, was not to end CGS, but to build a stronger organization.
"It wasn't about dissolving," she said. "It was about rejuvenating, renewing and restructuring."