Texas Competes, a coalition funded by Equality Texas, recently announced a major milestone after reaching more than 500 signatures (Google, Marriott, Whole Foods, American Airlines, IBM, Dell, SXSW and SeaWorld among them) from Texas business leaders committed to ensuring the protection and inclusion of LGBT people within the state’s varied businesses. The coalition believes that the state’s…
Most Influential 2015: Robert Salcido
On the afternoon of June 26, the day the Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land, Robert Salcido, Jr. was standing at the pulpit of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd speaking at what would be the first church wedding in San Antonio. He was there as a representative of Equality…
EL Paso LGBT youth center named for state Rep. Mary González
A new transitional center for LGBT youth set to open in October in El Paso, Texas will be named for state Rep. Mary E. González (D-El Paso), the first pansexual legislator in the country. “Every young person should have access to not only a safe environment, but a place that can set them up for…
Texas Competes initiative securing statewide LGBT support in workplace
If you have a stomachache, you don’t wait until you have an ulcer to go to the doctor A few months ago, Indiana governor Mike Pence signed the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act. People in support of the act, which allows individuals and businesses to cite religious beliefs as a defense when sued by private…
Equality Texas issues call to action on mayor’s NDO proposal
A call to action has gone out from Equality Texas to San Antonio’s LGBT community asking for support of Mayor Ivy R. Taylor’s proposal to establish an Office of Diversity and Inclusion and to hire a human relations liaison to run the new department. “Since the passing of the updated Non-Discrimination Ordinance in September 2013;…
Gay couple, state rep to receive Spirit of Texas awards
A gay couple from Plano who championed LGBT relationship rights and an out state representative will receive awards from Equality Texas at the ninth annual Spirit of Texas Brunch on May 17 at the Pearl Stable in San Antonio. This year’s Equality Texas Anchor Award will be presented to Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs, and…
Southwest H.S. allows lesbian student to wear tuxedo to prom
The parents of a lesbian student, with help from a representative from the San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce, were able to convince the principal of Southwest High School to change the school’s prom dress code so the student could attend the event wearing a tuxedo. Samantha Arielle Lopez, an 18-year-old senior, was told by…
Texas Association of Business to be honored by Equality Texas
Equality Texas announced on April 9 that they will present the Texas Association of Business with the Vanguard Award which is given annually to an “exemplary business who has demonstrated a commitment to LGBT equality in the state of Texas through fair employee policy and community advocacy.” The award will be presented at the Spirit…
SAISD offers plus-one insurance for employees with domestic partners
The San Antonio Independent School District has sent a letter to its employees announcing it is expanding its group health benefits to include plus-one coverage so that employees can insure one additional adult living in their household who meets all the required criteria. The plus-one plan permits SAISD employees in same-sex relationships to insure their…
State Rep. Villalba backpedals on ‘exercise of religion’ bill
State Rep. Jason Villalba (R-Dallas) announced on March 9 that he has “reconsidered” filing a bill he authored (HJR55) that proposed a state constitutional amendment to the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) which would have eroded the rights of LGBT Texans. Villalba’s now defunct bill is similar to a bill (SJR10) submitted by state…