In years past, Equality Texas organized a Lobby Day when LGBT constituents would visit members of the State Legislature to press elected officials on issues that are important to the community. This year, Equality Texas will hold three advocacy days each with a specific theme. In 2013, over 500 Texans participated in the Equality Texas…
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Dr. Stone dissects anti-gay rhetoric
Special rights! Girls’ bathrooms! Every child needs a mother and a father! Pray the gay away! Many of us were involved in the successful campaign last year to pass a city-wide non-discrimination ordinance here in San Antonio that has protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. And during Citizens to Be Heard meetings and protests,…
Abbott responds to motion by plaintiffs to lift stay on Texas marriage ban
State Attorney General Greg Abbott issued a response on November 25 to a motion filed by the plaintiffs in the Texas equal marriage case asking Judge Orlando L. Garcia to lift the stay he imposed in February after finding the state’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. The motion was filed on November 24 by attorneys…
World AIDS Day a reminder of high rates of HIV among S.A. gay and bi men
As the local observance of World AIDS Day approaches on December 1, it serves as a reminder that the number of those infected is rising in San Antonio, particularly among gay and bisexual men. Bexar County saw an 11 percent increase in HIV infection from 2012 to 2013, according to statistics released by the San…
Motion filed to lift stay on Texas equal marriage ban
In a Facebook post on November 24, Mark Phariss, one of the plaintiffs in the Texas equal marriage case announced, “Our attorneys with Akin Gump filed a motion with the federal district court this morning to lift the stay.” Along with his post, Phariss added this excerpt from the motion: If something were to happen…
Leadership change at S.A. LGBT LULAC chapter
LULAC chapter 22198 Orgullo de San Antonio sent out an press release from its new president on Friday, November 21 announcing a leadership change. The new president of LULAC Orgullo is Robert Salcido, who serves on the boards of the Pride Center and the S.A. LGBT Chamber of Commerce. He also is on the mayor’s…
Openly gay U.S. Attorney recommended for federal judgeship
U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman of San Antonio, who is openly gay, was recommended for a federal judgeship on November 20 by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The recommendation now moves to the Senate floor for a vote. Pitman is one of three nominees recommended for Texas federal judgeships. According to the Dallas Morning News, the other…
Mercado de Paz slated for Thanksgiving weekend
Shoppers looking for an alternative to crowded malls and shopping centers will find a unique selection of gifts at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center’s 25th International Peace Market or Mercado de Paz, slated for Friday, November 28 and Saturday, November 29. For the past 25 years, visitors and local patrons have gathered for the…
Van de Putte says yes to run for mayor
State Senator Leticia Van de Putte ended weeks of speculative chatter and confirmed on November 19 that she is running for Mayor of San Antonio. The San Antonio Express-News reported: For months, there had been growing speculation that she would enter the fray, and more recently, she had said she was “praying for guidance” about…
How to get your hands on the Out In SA print issue …
Summer 2015 is on stands! And by stands, we mean check our growing Google map of locations.