A proposed bill in the Texas Senate (SB 15), which would deny cities the ability to enact paid sick leave ordinances, also contains provisions that would also allow the state to gut the enforcement of non-discrimination ordinances. When it was originally filed by state Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), SB 15 was designed to prevent cities…
News
Equality Texas Calls on Legislature to Enact Laws to Protect LGBTQ Texans
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. Citing a new report detailing barriers to equality in the state, Equality Texas, the largest LGBTQ advocacy group in the state, is demanding the legislature pass comprehensive nondiscrimination laws this session. At a February 27 press conference, activists, parents and members of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus joined…
Fiesta Youth Moving to a New Space at Woodlawn Pointe
The board of directors of Fiesta Youth announced this week that the organization has leased space at Woodlawn Pointe where it will have room to hold its weekly meetings and maintain an office. “With this new lease space we will be able to provide more youth programming and events throughout the year and have a…
Ruby City Show Features Video Installations and Photos by Filmmaker Isaac Julien
Ruby City, the Linda Pace Foundation’s arts complex on Camp Street in Southtown, has mounted an exhibition of works by renowned filmmaker and installation artist, Isaac Julien. The show, Isaac Julien – Looking for Langston opens on February 28. Julien was born in London where he still resides. He came to prominence in the 1980s…
Presa House Exhibition “Cicatrices” Focuses on Work by Gay Artist Jose Villalobos
Work by gay San Antonio artist Jose Villalobos will take center stage at the Presa House Gallery in an exhibit that opens on March 1. The title of the show, Cicatrices, translates into English as “Scars.” Last January, Villalobos was the recipient of a $25,000 Painters and Sculptors grant from the Joan Mitchell Foundation. He…
Houston Judge Tosses Same-Sex Marriage Benefits Challenge, but Plaintiffs Pledge to Appeal
A newly elected Democratic judge issued the decision in the latest turn of a 2013 legal challenge to Houston’s policy extending benefits to municipal employees’ same-sex spouses. By Emma Platoff, The Texas Tribune A Houston judge has thrown out the six-year-old lawsuit a pair of Houston taxpayers filed to keep the city from paying spousal…
Rainbow Crosswalk Pilot Program Could Lead to “Artistic” Crosswalks in Other Parts of City
The rainbow crosswalk that was installed last June at the corner of Evergreen and North Main may serve as a model for “artistic” crosswalks in other parts of the city under a proposed Community Crosswalks Program, according to the Department of Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI). The rainbow crosswalk was originally installed as part of…
Mayor’s Town Hall Covers Variety of Topics from an LGBTQ Point of View
Approximately 150 people packed into a meeting room at the Central Library for a Town Hall hosted by Mayor Ron Nirenberg and his LGBTQ Advisory Committee. During the gathering, the mayor answered questions on a variety of topics, from affordable housing to education, historic preservation, HIV issues, the advantages of Pre-K and LGBTQ homelessness. Even…
Bonham Exchange Will Remain Open After Owner Kenneth Garrett’s Death
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. Lee Haines, the Bonham Exchange’s general manager, wants patrons to know it will be business as usual at the iconic downtown dance club despite the recent death of owner Kenneth Garrett. The community has nothing to worry about, Haines said, explaining the nightspot will remain open and is…
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick Advances Bills by Two Anti-LGBT Senators
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has advanced two bills in the Senate that would allow professionals who provide health and counseling services to discriminate based on their “sincerely held religious beliefs.” The first bill, SB 444, which was introduced by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), applies to anyone holding or applying for a professional license. The…