San Antonio City leaders, along with scores of local teens, stood on the steps of City Hall on August 16 and took a pledge against cyberbullying. Among those present at Wednesday’s press conference were San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, State Sen. José Menéndez, Police Chief William McManus, City Councilwoman Ana Sandoval and City Councilman Clayton…
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After Months of Controversy, Texas Bathroom Bill Dies Quietly
By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune August 16, 2017 In the end, the controversial bathroom bill went quietly. For more than a year, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick led the crusade for a state law to regulate bathroom use for transgender Texans — an initiative that resonated with social conservatives, including many pastors, who backed…
Lesbian Candidate Gina Ortiz Jones Challenges U.S. Rep. Will Hurd for District 23 Seat
The first candidate to challenge Republican Rep. Will Hurd for the Texas 23rd Congressional District seat is a native of San Antonio, an Air Force veteran, a former member of the National Intelligence community, and an out lesbian. In announcing her candidacy on August 2, Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones said, “I’m running to make sure everyone…
Letter in Support of Bathroom Bill Includes Signatures of Three SA Businessmen
An August 9 letter in support of the proposed Texas bathroom bill, which is being circulated by the anti-LGBT group Texas Values, contains the signatures of 33 business owners including three from San Antonio. San Antonio businessmen Patrick Von Dohlen and Michael R. Knuffke of the Von Dohlen Knuffke Financial Group, and Daniel J. Petri…
Texas Bathroom Bill Appears to Be All But Dead in Special Session
By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune August 11, 2017 Despite it serving, in part, as the reason lawmakers are back in Austin for legislative overtime, the Texas Legislature could very well gavel out next week without passing a “bathroom bill.” With just days left in the 30-day special legislative session, controversial proposals to regulate bathroom…
Family, Friends of Murdered Trans Woman Hold River Walk Vigil
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. River boat operator Tom Vanzandt was guiding his boat under the Houston St. bridge April 9 when he was flagged down by a River Walk employee. “There was something in the water,” Vanzandt said Tuesday, solemnly thinking back to the spring morning. “A mass of brown hair. I…
Delighted Tobehere to Headline Benefit for Thrive Youth Center
Drag performer Delighted Tobehere, the self-described “Queen of All Trades,” will headline a benefit for the Thrive Youth Center on September 14 at the Bonham Exchange. The Thrive Youth Center is the only overnight shelter for LGBT youth in Texas and the Southwest United States. The fundraiser, dubbed A Night at the Bonham, has been…
A Memorial for Slain SA Trans Woman Kenne McFadden
The San Antonio Gender Association will recall the life of Kenne McFadden on August 8, which would have been her 27th birthday. McFadden was murdered in San Antonio last April, becoming the 12th transgender person murdered in the U.S. this year. A memorial, which is being held in conjunction with the Pride Center and Politiqueers,…
Community Gathers for Pride Bigger Than Texas Awards Ceremony
Pride San Antonio presented its Pride Bigger Than Texas Awards to parade participants and community activists on Sunday, August 6 at Club Essence. The Pride SA Festival and Parade, which were held on July 1, attracted thousands from the community to the Main Avenue Strip. James Poindexter, board secretary for Pride San Antonio told Out…
Growing Number of Corporate Leaders Step Up Opposition to Bathroom Bill
CEO’s from 10 Fortune 500 companies voiced their opposition to the Texas bathroom bill in a letter which was sent to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday, August 3. “No industry will remain untouched by the unnecessary harm that discriminatory laws will do to our competitiveness, to our ability to attract talent, and to our…