Originally published in QSanAntonio, September 5, 2013 (Editor’s note: Today marks the fifth anniversary of the passage of the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance.) Despite loud and vocal opposition from Christian extremists, the San Antonio City Council on September 5 passed a nondiscrimination ordinance that includes protections for LGBT citizens and veterans. The vote was eight in…
Marriage Equality Pioneer Mark Phariss to Run for Texas Senate
Plano attorney Mark Phariss, who in 2013 was a plaintiff in the successful Texas marriage equality lawsuit, announced his candidacy for Texas Senate District 8, which covers portions of Collin and Dallas counties. The District 8 seat has been held by Republican Van Taylor who is vacating the office to run for Congress. Phariss will…
LGBTs Surprised by Van De Putte’s Endorsement of Taylor
Mayor Ivy Taylor remains an unpopular figure in San Antonio’s LGBT community, having voted against the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance in 2013 saying, “I have sacrificed a lot to serve in this role on city council, but I will not sacrifice my core values and religious beliefs for political gain or to be in alignment with…
2015 in Review: Top ten local news stories
1) San Antonio celebrates marriage equality There was joyous celebration in the Alamo City on June 26, the day the Supreme Court made marriage equality a reality. There were church nuptuals and downtown wedding parties jammed the halls of the Bexar County Courthouse. There was a rally in Main Plaza and a block party on…
San Antonio elections 2015: by the numbers
From Sophia Parafina, data janitor and geographer, who’s been putting her map-making skills to use in the wake of Saturday’s election: Above: Side-by-side comparison of early voting and election day turnout. Quite a number of high turnout precincts flipped. Mike Villareal took territory from Taylor and Van de Putte, and Taylor also took precincts from…
Mike Villarreal wants a city of opportunity
San Antonio’s 2015 joint general, special, bond and charter elections are Saturday, May 9. Find location information and more, here. Today, a portion of the small pool of influential SA voters may feel torn about having to choose between former state Rep. Mike Villarreal and former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte in the runoff-bound race for San…
Quizzing the candidates: Mike and Leticia
Mike and Leticia: Choosing between friends With early voting for the municipal election starting on April 27, Out In SA has winnowed the mayoral race down to the top two candidates in the queer community. Mike Villarreal and Leticia Van de Putte are allies who have put LGBT voters in the position of choosing between…
Ivy Taylor shows up at fundraiser for LGBT youth
Interim Mayor Ivy R. Taylor paid a neighborly visit to the home of Keith Wichinski and David Willet, her next door neighbors on Dignowity Hill who just coincidentally were hosting a party to raise money for a nonprofit that supports LGBT youth. The April 11 event, dubbed Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,…
Stonewall Dems endorse Villarreal for mayor
The Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio endorsed former state Rep. Mike Villarreal for Mayor of San Antonio during a vote at their candidate forum on March 22. According to sources who attended the closed-door caucus during which the endorsements were voted on, Villarreal got a majority of the votes. Former state Senator Leticia Van de…
Awards and special guest on tap at annual HRC Gala
Organizers of the San Antonio HRC Gala & Silent Auction announced this week that State Representative Mike Villarreal will be honored with the group’s 2014 Equality Award on November 8. “Rep. Villarreal has been a champion of equality in the Texas House of Representatives for the seven terms he has served, voting against anti-marriage and…