State Senator Carlos Uresti of San Antonio was one of four Democrats who sided with Republican colleagues on the preliminary approval of a bill that lets the University Interscholastic League disqualify student athletes on steroids, including trans boys taking testosterone for gender dysphoria. Joining Uresti in approving Senate Bill 2095 on May 9 were fellow…
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. On Tuesday, the Texas House could debate and vote on a bill that would give state-funded adoption agencies the “religious freedom” to turn away LGBTQ parents. Other measures waiting for approval by Texas lawmakers would let county clerks deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples if doing so conflicts…
By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune May 8, 2017 A proposal to gut cities and school districts’ trans-inclusive bathroom policies did not advance in the House ahead of a crucial deadline, nixing the measure’s chances of getting a vote by the full chamber. But that doesn’t mean that the issue itself is dead. Up against…
Originally published in the San Antonio Current Watching Alyson Alonzo sing is a spiritual experience. When she’s performing at a bar or venue, you can hear a hush wash over the crowd as soon as she releases a string of breathy notes from her lungs. She’s that good. Apparently, she’s been that good for a…
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. From its early days in the Blue Star Arts Complex to its stint in the shadow of the Pearl, The Overtime Theater has consistently captured our attention with truly unusual (even absurd) programming that’s taken shape in nearly 100 original works since its inception back in 2007. Having…
In 2015 it seemed Janet Jackson had finally made a comeback. After debuting atop the Billboard charts with her tenth studio album Unbreakable, Jackson announced plans to launch her Unbreakable World Tour later that year. However, just four months into the tour, Jackson abruptly postponed and rescheduled all remaining dates including several in Texas due to…
The Texas Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 179, legislation that cracks down on bullying in the state’s public schools. SB 179 was introduced in the Senate by State Senator Jose Menendez. In January, Menendez called for the passage of the bill saying, “Cyberbullying is a crisis in Texas and across the nation. Families need our…
By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune May 3, 2017 Prayer is a staple of the Texas Capitol, where lawmakers begin each legislative day with an invocation and bowed heads. But on Wednesday, about 50 faith leaders of various denominations lined the stairs outside the Texas House in protest. Their prayer was silent, but their message…
On a recent evening at The Tiny Finch in Pearl, Texas Rover Company founder John Humphreys looms over a crowd of eager customers who are attempting to get a glimpse of the several high-quality leather products on display at the boutique. At six-foot-five, Humphreys’ intimidating figure is offset by his unassuming personality. Here, Humphreys mingles…
A recently released study by the Williams Institute finds that Texas laws and social climate contribute to an environment where LGBT adults experience stigma and discrimination in employment and other aspects of their life. Affected too are LGBT youth who are bullied in schools and rejected by their families. The study, The Impact of Stigma…
