Originally published in the San Antonio Current. It’s been a year since 500 spandex and legwarmer-wearing Texans flooded the streets surrounding the Governor’s Mansion to protest newly-proposed “transphobic and homophobic laws” coming down the legislative pipeline. Governor Greg Abbott was conveniently not home to witness the planned “queer dance freakout.” But, if you recall, the…
Councilman Manny Pelaez Disses Jack Finger on Facebook
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. If you’ve ever been to a City Council meeting (or, to be honest, any public meeting), you probably have seen Jack M. Finger. He’s the perennial “citizen to be heard” at every public meeting, your token old-guy watchdog there to grandstand about misuse of city funds and government…
Senators Ask Trump to Reconsider Nominating Anti-Trans Texan to Federal Court
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. The confirmation of a Texas federal judge nominee who’s said transgender kids are part of “Satan’s plan” has been put on hold by the Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee. According to committee chairman Sen. Charles Grassley, a Republican, the committee told the Trump administration that “they ought to reconsider”…
Trans Texans’ Military Dreams on Hold Under Trump Administration
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. In January, Misty Brandon’s 24-year-old son sold his furniture and his truck and moved from San Antonio to Colorado with one goal in mind: To join the military in June. That’s because in June, the U.S. Department of Defense was going to officially let openly transgender people enroll…
SAISD Board Hears From Anti-LGBT Protesters, Votes to Protect DACA Students
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. On August 21, the San Antonio Independent School District board updated district policy to include protections for students or teachers discriminated against for their “gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.” But like a failed game of telephone, SAISD parents, anti-LGBT advocates, and conservative lobbyists showed up to…
SAISD Adds Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity to Non-Discrimination Policy
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. The San Antonio Independent School District board voted unanimously Monday evening to add new protections to the district’s non-discrimination ordinance. Now, students and employees will be protected from discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. “SAISD has to advance with the times and lead…
Family, Friends of Murdered Trans Woman Hold River Walk Vigil
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. River boat operator Tom Vanzandt was guiding his boat under the Houston St. bridge April 9 when he was flagged down by a River Walk employee. “There was something in the water,” Vanzandt said Tuesday, solemnly thinking back to the spring morning. “A mass of brown hair. I…
Religious Right Lobbyists Are the Lone Supporters of the Texas Bathroom Bill
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. Law enforcement. The National Football League. Tech companies. Small businesses. And now, the largest oil and gas companies in the nation. None of the communities Texas Republicans have historically rallied behind want the GOP-led state legislature to pass its so-called “bathroom bill.” In fact, each and every one…
Trump’s Military Ban Rattles Trans Troops, Veterans in Military City, USA
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. On Wednesday morning, San Antonio army veteran Danny Ingram got a worried call from a friend in the Air Force. “She had seen the news and was scared, suddenly it felt like her job was on the line,” said Ingram. The call came a few hours after President…
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…