Terence McPhaul, the embattled executive director of YouthPride, once the only organization serving LGBT youth in Atlanta, is dead at 52 according to a report by the Indianapolis Star.
McPhaul passed away at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis on Nov. 16 and was laid to rest on Nov. 25 according to reports. No cause of death was listed in the obituary and due to HIPAA laws, the hospital could not release any information. The Marion County, Ind. coroner’s office had no record of McPhaul’s death, which is common in cases where the death is not suspicious. When reached Wednesday afternoon, The Robert D. Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory did confirm that they handled his service and that he was buried there on Nov. 25.
McPhaul joined YouthPride as co-executive director in 2009 before becoming the sole executive director in January 2010. A series of controversial episodes followed.
- YouthPride’s troubles began in December 2011 when the organization put out a public call via Facebook that it needed to raise $40,000 by the end of the year or its doors would close.
- Soon after news of YouthPride’s dire financial straits made headlines, it was also learned the organization, founded in 1995, had no viable board of directors.
- In June 2012, YouthPride was forced to move from its home at Inman Park United Methodist Church after the church sued the organization for more than $50,000 in back rent.
- In June 2013, YouthPride was officially evicted by Fulton County marshals from its location at 955 Washington Place SW in the Ashview Heights neighborhood after nonpayment of rent for one year.
- The leadership troubles also led Fulton County in August 2013 to take legal action to be repaid more than $18,000 of a $40,000 grant awarded to the organization for 2011-2012 for failing to provide mental health and counseling services as mandated by the grant.
- Later in August 2013, the federal AmeriCorps VISTA program pulled its funding and volunteers provided to YouthPride because, “YouthPride is still in the process of recruiting to fill all their agency board of directors.”
- In February 2014, criminal warrants are issued for the arrest of Terence McPhaul for writing bad checks in the name of YouthPride.
- On May 22, 2014, YouthPride is evicted from 72 Broad St., again for nonpayment of rent.
- YouthPride appeared to be closed for good in Aug. 2014.
- YouthPride lost its IRS tax exemption status in Feb. 2015
We’ll update the story as more information becomes available.
I hope Terrence finds peace- and I do also hope there can be clarification to rest YP in peace.
I followed Terrance’s YP to continue facilitating Trans and Friends for 1 1/2 years after the controversial eviction… I didn’t want the few young people who continued to attend to be let down; also, I had hoped to support POC leadership that included some youth leaders in the making.
It still saddens me that YP imploded and that the board was not a better steward to guard its future. I was with YP since abt 2000; T&F began in 2003… I am thankful that Charis Books has taken in T&F these past few years.
Interestingly, I had contact with an unknown person “KD” on June 17, 2015, who was running the Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/YouthPrideAtlanta/; trying to connect some young people to reliable resources. I was met with cloak and dagger responses- even though this person stated that they knew of my long-time YP volunteer status. Here’s part of that exchange:
“For the safety of youth members certain criteria must be met to obtain meeting locations. The application process for new members will open again in August. We’ll keep you posted.”
Very sad to learn of Terence’s passing. He should be remembered for all of the THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE HE HELPED IN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY OF ATLANTA, FOR HIS VISION, AND THE FACT THAT HE WAS THE VERY FIRST ADVOCATE FOR HOMELESS LGBTQ YOUTH IN ATLANTA WHOSE MODEL IS STILL BEING USED TODAY BY OTHERS. I will always remember the young people who we sent to Youth Pride that spoke so highly of him and the organization. MAY HE TRULY REST IN PEACE.
This is the way you eulogize a person. Thank you Simone Joyce for your kind words and the loving picture you painted. It’s unfortunate that the writer chose this angle instead of simply sharing that he is no longer with us. The first sentence alone is worth an edit. Is that the only way you all will ever see him?
I wish you’d interviewed some former YouthPride members, or people that at least had a shred of respect for what he did and tried to do for youth.
A Eulogy will speak of Terrance’s kindness ,I maintained loving exchanges with him through the years that I volunteered under his leadership; I saw the good, the bad, and the controversial.
Also, I think you’ll find mixed reviews from young people, employees, and volunteers, if you gather a large sample.
I believe in remembering all of it. Especially since YP is still being represented via social media with no transparency or accessibility.
I will remember Terrance’s kind intentions- but also, the dedicated volunteers, employees, and young people who kept YP vibrant those last years of its existence.