A new poll released on January 30 shows that a majority of Texans support laws which would protect LGBT citizens from discrimination in employment, public accommodations and housing. The poll, released by the Public Religion Research Institute, reveals that support for LGBT Texans is bipartisan and endorsed by many religious organizations including white evangelicals. Researchers…
Four Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce Join Forces to Advocate for Equality
The LGBT chambers of commerce in Austin, Houston, North Texas and San Antonio have joined forces to form a statewide coalition “to achieve equality and inclusion by promoting economic vitality in our communities and strengthening LGBT and ally businesses.” The coalition, named the Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce, is composed of the Austin LGBT Chamber…
Pegasus Only San Antonio Club to Make List of Top 50 Gay Bars in U.S.
San Antonio’s Pegasus Nightclub, located at 1402 N Main Ave., was the only local LGBT establishment to make this year’s NewNowNext list of 50 Most Popular Gay Bars in the United States. The list was released on January 15. The Pegasus was ranked number 10 in the nation falling two places from last year when…
Mayor Nirenberg and LGBTQ Advisory Committee to Hold Town Hall
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced today that he will be holding a town hall meeting on February 19 in conjunction with his LGBTQ Advisory Committee. According to the Facebook announcement, the Mayor and the Advisory Committee will be having “a discussion on the issues affecting the community.” The event, which is dubbed “Mayor Nirenberg’s…
Pride Center Hires Community Empowerment Coordinator
Pride Center San Antonio has hired it’s first-ever employee, a community empowerment coordinator who will help organize programming, services and outreach to the city’s LGBTQ community. The Center’s new hire, Lex Loro, has over six years experience of supporting LGBTQ and disabled youth through sexual health education, social justice advocacy, and training assistance. As a…
Republican State Rep. Files Bill Legalizing Discrimination Against Trans People and Married LGBT Couples
State Representative Bill Zedler (R-Arlington) has filed a bill, dubbed the “Free to Believe Act,” that would legalize discrimination against transgender people and married LGBT couples. In an email to its supporters, Equality Texas warns the bill, HB 1035, “would legally protect discrimination in healthcare, in social services, in the workplace, in access to housing,…
Justin Holley Officially Launches Campaign for City Council District 1
Justin Holley, an executive with a local hotel management company who is challenging District 1 City Councilman Roberto C. Treviño in this spring’s General Election, will officially launch his campaign on January 26 at the Casting Pond by Woodlawn Lake. Holley is one of five candidates (so far) who are seeking to oust Treviño. The…
State Rep. Eric Johnson Files Employment Nondiscrimination Bill With LGBTQ Protections
State Rep. Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) has filed a bill in the Texas House that would prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. HB 850, which was filed on January 16, would add LGBTQ protections to current state law that only covers race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin or age.…
Azul Barrientos to be Joined by Aaron Prado for First ‘Noche Azul’ Concert of the Year
Azul Barrientos will present her first monthly Noche Azul concert of the year on January 26 at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center where she will be joined by jazz pianist Aaron Prado. Barrientos, who is from Mexico City, has been artist-in-residence at the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center since 2007 where her monthly Noche…
San Antonio Trans Woman Finds Success With Career in Real Estate
A San Antonio transgender woman has just become the founding president of the San Antonio chapter of the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP), making her the first trans person to be in a leadership position with the organization. For Jamie Zapata, helping establish NAGLREP’s local chapter is a career milestone.…