The San Antonio Current is reporting the City of San Antonio has hired a diversity and inclusion officer who will administer and manage the activities of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Robert Salcido, a field organizer for Equality Texas, told the Current the city hired Kiran Bains for the position, adding that “he and…
The QSA
With end of summer comes award and banquet season
Labor Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of fundraising season in San Antonio’s LGBT community. While fundraising goes on year-round, the fall and winter are when many local nonprofits schedule signature events. The season kicks off on September 26 with the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio Awards Presentation and Comedy Show at…
LGBT community leaders on panel to interview police chief candidates
Three activists from the LGBT and allied community were chosen to be a part of a panel of local citizens who are providing input on the selection of San Antonio’s new police chief. Ruby Krebs, who is on the mayor’s LGBT advisory committee, Carolee Moore, co-chair of the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio and Patricia…
Teaching the art of coffee at SA’s first barista academy
Sylvia Miller has worked in the coffee business for many years. When she began thinking about opening her own store, she says she wanted to “step it up,” by also offering training to budding baristas and to others who crave a good cup of joe. This week, Miller’s new business, Cyclo Coffee and Barista Academy,…
Stonewall Dems slate night of awards and comedy
On September 26, the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio will host their annual awards presentation in conjunction with a night of comedy performances. This is the ninth anniversary of the awards and the second year they’ve been presented as part of a night of comedy. Every year, Stonewall honors local citizens and politicians with awards…
Council members express concern over SAAF leadership
Updated: August 11, 2015, 3:30 p.m. Three members of the City Council expressed concern over recent management changes at the San Antonio AIDS Foundation during a discussion last Thursday about the distribution of funds to provide housing for homeless people with HIV. As reported in the Rivard Report, Rebecca Viagran, Cris Medina and Shirley Gonzales…
Civl Rights Act of 1964 may be amended to include LGBT protection
Although same-sex couples can now marry across the United States, LGBT people are still vulnerable to discrimination without federal anti-discrimination protection. On July 23, however, members of the United States Congress introduced legislation to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by banning discrimination against LGBT people. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or…
SA director premiers film on same-sex domestic violence
“Unimaginable,” a new film by local writer-director Cedric Thomas Smith, explores the topic of domestic violence in a gay relationship. It will have it’s premier on July 31 at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts as part of the SAFILM Festival. The movie tells the story of Antonio, a nurse who struggles with domestic…
Federal government stands by transgender students’ rights
Arcadia Unified School District’s policy on transgender students guides educators to respect students’ self reported gender identities. On June 30, the U.S. Department of Justice affirmed that Title IX protects the rights of transgender students in a brief filed after the American Civil Liberties Union’s complaint on behalf of a transgender boy whose school policy required transgender…
SAAF executive director issues statement on “up yours” comment
Jack Downey, the interim executive director of the San Antonio AIDS Foundation, issued a statement today in response to a report yesterday on KSAT-TV where he is shown responding to a volunteer with the expression, “up yours.” According to KSAT, “Downey uttered the words during a heated confrontation with Anthony Medrano, whose cousin died at…