Not that it hasn’t always been there in some way, shape or form, but exaggerated, outlandish costumes and makeup concepts have flourished in recent seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race — exemplified by the likes of deranged living doll Trixie Mattel (season seven), “7-foot-tall, live-action anime character” Kim Chi (season eight) and Atlanta-based transformation specialist Nina…
Ron Nirenberg: LGBT Ally in the Mayor’s Office
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. It’s been three years since San Antonio’s LGBT community has had an ally in the mayor’s office. During her time in office, former Mayor Ivy R. Taylor did little to recognize the existence of her LGBT constituents, let alone support them. She called 2013’s non-discrimination ordinance — a…
Activists to Paint Rainbow Crosswalk in Chalk on Main Avenue Strip
Just hours before the Pride Bigger Than Texas Parade steps off on July 1, local LGBT activists plan to paint rainbow crosswalks at the intersection of North Main and East Evergreen. The effort, dubbed Pride 2017 Chalk It Up, is being organized by local attorney Rosie Gonzalez who is urging volunteers to “go buy all…
Esperanza Exhibition Is a Call to Action
After the Supreme Court’s landmark case making gay marriage legal in 2015, it was easy to believe that gay people had finally achieved some semblance of equality. Yet, with the election of President Donald Trump one year later, it seems minority communities are more vulnerable than ever. Moved by the current political climate, the Esperanza…
Citing Religious Refusal of Adoption Rule, California Bans State Travel to Texas
By Matthew Watkins, The Texas Tribune June 22, 2017 Saying that a new Texas law allowing child welfare providers to deny adoptions to parents based on “sincerely held religious beliefs” is discriminatory, California’s attorney general on Thursday banned state-funded travel to Texas. The attorney general’s office said in a news release that Texas’ House Bill…
Local LGBT LULAC to Offer Workshops at National Convention in SA
The local LGBT LULAC chapter, Orgullo de San Antonio Council #22198, will be offering two LGBT workshops during the 88th LULAC National Convention and Exposition in San Antonio from July 4 through 8. Over 15,000 LULAC members, members of Congress, cabinet secretaries, local elected officials, and academic experts from across the country are expected at…
A Conversation with Transgender Artist and Musician Antemìa Kavillari
Antemìa Kavillari, 27, is a local transgender Latina artist and musician, and someone I’m proud to call a friend. We met via Facebook in 2015 when we were both at the beginning of our respective transitions, and since then, I’ve seen her blossom into a powerful force to be reckoned with, especially when it comes…
‘9 Circles’ Makes SA Premiere at Classic Theatre
9 Circles, Bill Cain’s 2010 play based on the real-life crimes committed by Private Steven Dale, has made its San Antonio premiere at the Classic Theatre in partnership with the Surround Project. The play is a heart-wrenching look into the long-lasting psychological effects of war on the minds of young soldiers. Structured around the nine…
Mayor Nirenberg to Participate in SA’s Pride Parade
Newly-elected Mayor Ron Nirenberg will make history when he becomes the second mayor of San Antonio to participate in the Pride Bigger Than Texas Parade, which this year takes place on Saturday, July 1. James Poindexter, board secretary of Pride San Antonio, told Out In SA Nirenberg has been named a Grand Marshal for the…
Taking Gin & Tonic to the Next Level
Gin freaks tend not to think of this bracing spirit in seasonal terms: just as you are perfectly justified in drinking rye in the summer, you can easily indulge your inner gin Jones in the winter. And yet … the method of delivery may be different: lighter rye cocktails in summer (say a Collins with…