Two San Antonio lawmakers are calling for the passage of an anti-bullying law named in honor of David Bartlett Molak, a 16-year-old Alamo Heights High School student who one year ago committed suicide after being bullied by classmates on social media over his physical appearance. To mark the first anniversary of Molak’s passing, State Senator…
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Presa House Gallery Unveils New Briseño Exhibit
On January 6, Presa House Gallery will unveil a new exhibit, Sex, Race, Science, featuring works by San Antonio artist Rolando Briseño. The show highlights over 30 years of Briseño’s work featuring early and never before seen paintings, as well as sculpture, photographic constructions, digital works, and public art. In a 2015 article about Briseño…
Texas Judge Halts Federal Transgender Protections
A federal judge in Texas issued a temporary injunction on December 31 against efforts by the Obama administration intended to ban transgender discrimination by hospitals, the Texas Tribune reports. U.S District Judge Reed O’Connor sided with Texas, along with the religious hospital network Franciscan Alliance and four other Republican-led states, in a lawsuit that claimed…
2016 In Review: Top Ten Local News Stories
1. The Killing of SAPD Officer Benjamin Marconi The death of Officer Benjamin Marconi, who was shot in his patrol car in broad daylight outside police headquarters on November 20, stunned the citizens of San Antonio and the nation. Officer Marconi had scores of close friends in the LGBT community and supported the cause of…
2016 In Review: Honorable & Dishonorable Mentions
HONORABLE MENTIONS Advocate and ally: State Senator Jose Menéndez Long-considered an ally, Senator Jose Menéndez has worked to advance legislation that is beneficial to the LGBT community. Recently, Equality Texas named him one of the top five senators on LGBT issues. In April 2015, Menéndez worked to help prevent the passage of Senate Bill 2065,…
2016 In Review: A Year in the Life of LGBT SA
A select month-by-month recap of stories about our community reported here and elsewhere in 2016. JANUARY Rev. Mick Hinson to leave MCC SA Reverend Mick Hinson, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Antonio announced he was resigning his position. Candidates line-up to speak at Stonewall Dems endorsement forum The Stonewall Democrats of San…
Kickin’ In 2017 at the Pride Center’s Kiki
If you’re looking for way to ring in 2017, you’ll find no better celebration than Pride Center San Antonio’s second annual New Year’s Eve Kiki on December 31, at the Hilton Palacio Del Rio Hotel. The event will be headlined by RuPaul Drag Race All Star Yara Sofia. Music for the Kiki will be provided…
Texas Man and Partner Among Victims of Berlin Terror Attack
A man from Texas was seriously injured and his partner was killed during the deadly truck attack on a Christmas market in Berlin on Monday, December 19. The family of Richard Ramirez of San Benito, Texas told local reporters that he had moved to Germany 10 years ago to live with his partner, a German…
Main Ave. Businesses Collect Record Number of Toys for Blue Santa
Three officers from the San Antonio Police Department came to Sparky’s Pub on Tuesday, December 20 to pick up a record amount of toys collected by businesses from the Main Avenue Strip on behalf of the Blue Santa Program. Scott Lee-Ross, the marketing director for Luther’s Cafe, Knockout Sports Bar, Sparky’s Pub, and Heat Nightclub,…
Trans Prisoner Granted Parole After Years of Violent Abuse
Originally published in the San Antonio Current Passion Star, formally known as Joshua Zollicoffer, has filed more than 30 grievances for the chronic sexual and physical abuse she’s endured as a transgender women within the Texas prison system. For her past 14 years behind bars, Star’s grievances have largely been ignored by prison officials. Only…