Friday, March 15 was the deadline for filing bills for this session of the Texas Legislature and as expected, Republicans have unleashed a torrent of proposed legislation aimed a scaling back the rights of LGBTQ Texans. On March 18, Equality Texas released a list of “bad bills” and expressed particular concern for two bills: SB15…
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Texas House LGBTQ Caucus Opposes Appointment of Sec. Heather Wilson as UT El Paso President
Members of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus have joined other groups in opposing the appointment of Heather Wilson, the Secretary of the Air Force, as the finalist for president of the University of Texas at El Paso based on her anti-LGBTQ views. From 1998 to 2009, Wilson served as a congresswoman from New Mexico and…
SXSW Premiers Film That Tells Story of Young Trans Wrestler From Texas
A short documentary film about a transgender boy on the wrestling team at Trinity High School in Euless, Texas had its world premier on March 8 at the South by Southwest Conference and Festival in Austin. The film, Mack Wrestles, which was produced by ESPN Films, tells the story of Mack Beggs, who in 2017…
San Antonio’s Downtown Councilman Roberto Treviño Strives to Strike a Balance
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. I’m sitting across from Roberto C. Treviño in his office, its walls full of art by local creators. “You see, my office is full of art because I don’t have a window,” he says with a warm, raspy voice. It was this love of art, in conjunction with…
Matthew Shepard’s Parents Coming to San Antonio for ‘Stay Proud, Be Loud’ Event
Judy and Dennis Shepard, of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, will be in San Antonio on March 20 for an event dubbed “Stay Proud, Be Loud” which will emphasize the importance of reporting hate crimes. In 1998, the Shepard’s 21-year-old gay son, Matthew, was brutally attacked and tied to a fence in a field outside of…
A Fight Over Paid Sick Leave is Turning Into a Fight Over LGBTQ Non-Discrimination Ordinances
A now-erased provision in Senate Bill 15 explicitly said a potential new state law would not supersede local non-discrimination ordinances. Without that language, many LGBTQ advocates fear Texans could be exposed to some discriminatory employment practices. By Alex Samuels, Texas Tribune What started as seemingly simple state legislation hailed as good for Texas businesses is…
Nod to Nirenberg for Mayor Tops List of Stonewall’s City Council Endorsements
For the second time in two years, the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio have endorsed Ron Nirneberg for Mayor of San Antonio. In his address to Stonewall members at their endorsement forum on Sunday, March 10, Nirenberg, the now-incumbent mayor, reiterated the message that he is mayor of all the citizens of San Antonio. Saying…
Photos: Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio’s Candidate Endorsement Forum
Over 30 candidates for mayor and city council attended the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio’s endorsement forum on Sunday, March 10 at the El Tropicano Hotel in downtown. After each candidate spoke, Stonewall members asked questions. After all candidates are heard, Stonewall members will vote on endorsements. The final list of endorsements will be posted…
Photos: Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio Candidate Endorsement Forum
Over 30 candidates for mayor and city council attended the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio’s endorsement forum on Sunday, March 10 at the El Tropicano Hotel in downtown. After each candidate spoke, Stonewall members asked questions. After all candidates are heard, Stonewall members will vote on endorsements. The final list of endorsements will be posted…
Lawyers Produce Catalog with List of Bexar County Judges Who Will Marry Same-Sex Couples
The San Antonio Young Lawyer’s Association and the San Antonio LGBT Bar Association have unveiled a catalog which provides local same sex couples with information about how to obtain a marriage license and a list of Bexar County judicial officials who will marry them with a commitment to equality. The project, dubbed Will You Marry…