The Christus Health system announced this week that it will now offer employee benefits to same-sex couples who are legally married. Christus has hospitals in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas. In the San Antonio area, Christus operates nine hospitals and clinics including the soon-to-open Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Last summer before…
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Transgender prisoner claims mistreatment at Crosspoint
“I want to end the torture and abuse of all incarcerated transgender people.” A chief technology officer for a health-care consulting firm, Mikia Storm oversees the IT Department as part of her new life since she was released from federal prison and subsequent time in a San Antonio halfway house after a conviction for conspiracy…
Most Influential 2015: Marsha Warren
Mayor Ivy Taylor lost the support of SA’s gay community in 2013 when, as a councilmember representing District 2, she voted against expanding the NDO to include LGBTQ protections. She doubled down on that position in this year’s mayoral race, but she won the election nonetheless, and it wasn’t without the help of her LGBTQ…
Asking job applicant about ‘gay marriage’ lands Williamson County in federal court
A man who in 2013 brought a federal lawsuit against Williamson County, Texas after he was asked questions about his views on abortion and same-sex marriage during a job interview is finally headed for trial. In March 2013, Robert Lloyd was one of five applicants interviewed for the Precinct 3 constable position in Williamson County.…
Most Influential 2015: Sandra Whitley
Thanks to the efforts of Whitley—a self-described survivor of a tough West Texas childhood—and her small but dedicated team, San Antonio is one of the few cities in the U.S. to offer shelter and support to homeless LGBTQ youth, who are often homeless precisely because they have been rejected or persecuted by family and peers.…
Judge Ron Rangel among Stonewall Democrats’ awardees
Judge Ron Rangel of the 379th Criminal District Court will be one of three award recipients at the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio’s Award Presentation and Comedy Show on September 26 at The Playhouse. The judge will receive the Political Advocacy Award, which is given annually to “an elected or appointed official who has made…
Most Influential 2015: Eli Garza
We surveyed local LGBTQ leaders to come up with our 2015 Most Influential list: 16 individuals who made particularly notable contributions to our community in the past 18 months. We’re going to roll them out one at a time at outinsa.com this month, or you can get the entire list all at once by picking up our…
Community mourns death of two drag performers
The LGBT community is mourning the death of two of San Antonio’s most popular drag performers leaving many stunned at the loss. Torrance Cheeves, who performed under the stage name of Mrs. Whoochie, was found dead at his home on the East Side on August 26. According to news reports, the Bexar County medical examiner…
City hires diversity and inclusion officer
The San Antonio Current is reporting the City of San Antonio has hired a diversity and inclusion officer who will administer and manage the activities of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Robert Salcido, a field organizer for Equality Texas, told the Current the city hired Kiran Bains for the position, adding that “he and…
With end of summer comes award and banquet season
Labor Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of fundraising season in San Antonio’s LGBT community. While fundraising goes on year-round, the fall and winter are when many local nonprofits schedule signature events. The season kicks off on September 26 with the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio Awards Presentation and Comedy Show at…