Teddy Basham-Witherington’s Bio

Teddy Basham-Witherington - Deputy Director

Teddy was born in London, England and following graduation from college spent 10 years working as a legal executive in the City of London specializing in private client and non-profit law.

In 1990, Teddy joined the London Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee where he served as Executive Director until July 1997. During that period, the London event grew to become Europe’s largest annual free music festival, attracting 280,000 to London’s Clapham Common in June 1997.

Following a worldwide search, the San Francisco Pride Committee hired Teddy in August 1997 as its first, ever, Executive Director. Over his tenure, approximately $900,000 was granted back to over 100 community groups and the event transformed into a multi-cultural festival. Teddy then served as Executive Director of San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus from 2006 – 2012. During his tenure there, the Chorus embarked upon the groundbreaking California Freedom Tour in the wake of Prop 8.

Teddy joined Out & Equal Workplace Advocates in June 2012, serving as Director of Events, shepherding the annual Workplace Summit – a convention of 2,500 – through Hurricane Sandy in Baltimore. He subsequently worked as CMO before being named Director of Institutional Partnerships.

Teddy was hired by the Impact Fund in October 2014 and serves there today, currently as its deputy director, responsible for fundraising, communications, strategic planning, and a few other things!

Teddy was the co-founder of the European Pride Organizers Association in 1993 (which he led as President for its first four years), a founding director of the London Pride Arts Festival, and served on the Finance Committee of the International Lesbian & Gay Association. In 1997, Teddy was an honorary Marshal in the Santa Fe Gay Pride Parade and in 1999, he was awarded the honor of being the Grand Marshal of the very first Reno Gay Pride Parade. In 2000, he received the “Man of the Year” award from CAPI (Consolidated Association of Pride). In June 2000, Teddy was elected to the Board of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, which he served on for three years.

From 1997 – 2000 Teddy was Co-President of InterPride, the international association of gay pride coordinators. He stepped down as President in October 2000, was re-elected in 2002 and served for an additional year. San Francisco Mayor, Willie Brown acknowledged Teddy, proclaiming March 6, 2002 as Teddy Witherington Day in San Francisco. In June 2008, Teddy was the very first recipient of The Teddy Witherington Award presented to him at San Francisco City Hall by Mayor Gavin Newsom for his outstanding service to the Pride movement. The award continues to be presented every year to a new recipient.

Teddy was the food writer at San Francisco Bay Times from 2006-2013. He is also an avid tennis player. Teddy and his husband Rob live at home in Oakland with their two cats Gilgamesh and Iliad.

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