This weekend there will be multiple Pride celebrations across San Antonio. I want to express my support for inclusion and respect for all who call San Antonio home.
As one of several new faces to City Council, we will be asked to vote on issues and begin to express our own individual views. We will now go “on the record” and establish a history for the community to judge. We all have to take a stand on issues and be accountable for our decisions. With that in mind, I wanted to send a message of inclusion prior to the weekend celebrations.
In all honesty, I don’t know as much as some on the City Council about Pride or our LGBTQ community. In fact, I am not even sure what are the proper terms to use to discuss the subject. But, I want to clearly express the fact I am open to learning and meeting folks halfway, especially in the difficult and often divisive times we face in our politics.
Recently, I reached out to the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio to begin a conversation. I was welcomed to their meeting and given the floor to discuss who I am and how we can work together. I think it was a great start. There have been other LGBTQ groups who have attempted to connect with me and I hope to have the same dialogue of inclusion with them as well.
Some may not like that I extended a hand to build relationships, but I have been chosen to lead all in my District, not specific groups or like-minded people only.
So, this is a simple message of valuing the human dignity of all our residents. I wish the community well in their Pride celebrations and while I may not be as educated on the issues as others, I am open to learning and keeping a seat at my table available to those who want to engage.
We may not agree on everything. But, my promise to the LGBTQ community is an open mind and an open office. We can and should work together to find the common ground necessary to honor each other’s differences and opinions.
Have a great weekend and I look forward to working with you in the future!
Greg Brockhouse was recently elected to his first term representing City Council District 6.