Collin County Teen Court Coordinator agrees to step down

by John Wright of Dallas Voice

An openly gay man’s decision to run for City Council has apparently cost him his job with Collin County.

Justin Nichols, who’s served as Teen Court coordinator for the county since 2006, this week agreed to the terms of a severance agreement approved by the Commissioners Court. Nichols, who reportedly signed the deal on Tuesday, June 24, will leave the position Aug. 1.

Nichols and county officials are prohibited from discussing specifics of the agreement, including the reason for Nichols’ departure. However, the county reportedly paid Nichols $26,500 in cash, and forgave as much as $12,000 in tuition assistance, in exchange for his resignation.

County Commissioner Jerry Hoagland initially proposed firing Nichols in March for being gay, according to news reports. Hoagland’s proposal came in response to an article in Dallas Voice about Nichols’ candidacy for the Place 1 seat on the City Council. Nichols lost the race to Pat Miner on May 10.

Hoagland withdrew his proposal to fire Nichols a few days after making it amid media scrutiny. But Collin County gay-rights advocates now say they believe Nichols was ultimately forced out due to his sexual orientation. Nichols has received favorable performance reviews throughout his tenure.

“All roads head in that direction,” said Dawnetta Miller, one of the founders of the five-year-old Collin County Gay and Lesbian Alliance. “Why else would you get rid of somebody who’s positively served the county?

“It’s extremely disappointing, but it just goes to show that our work is never done,” added Miller, also a board member for Equality Texas. “I think the one thing that’s come out of this is that so many people still believe you can’t get fired for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, but you can. That’s why the work of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance and Equality Texas is so important.”

Commissioners Hoagland, Bill Self and Joe Jaynes voted to approve Nichols' severance agreement June 10. Commissioner Phyllis Cole voted against the agreement, and Commissioner Jack Hatchell was absent.

Nichols could not be reached for comment Thursday, June 26. Nichols’ attorney, Peter Schulte of Dallas, also could not be reached.