Thirteen states, led by Texas, today submitted a legal filing with a U.S. judge in Fort Worth asking to halt the implementation of the U.S. Education Department’s directive which says schools should allow students to use the restroom that matches their gender identity. The states say the guidelines represent unlawful “radical changes.” The hearing is…
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TransVisible Project Introduced in Rio Grande Valley
A public awareness awareness campaign to introduce transgender Texans to communities all over the state was rolled-out on August 11 in the Rio Grande Valley. The campaign, the TransVisible Project, was introduced at a press conference by officials from Equality Texas, state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and Aqui Estamos, an LGBT activist group headquartered in…
Documentary Portrays Emotional Transition of Young Texan
A short documentary that premiered in March at the South by Southwest Film Festival tells the emotional story of a young Texan who is transitioning from female to male, with mixed reactions from his family. The 13-minute film, “Becoming Blair,” is a truly personal effort by director Bri Barsalou, the cousin of Blair Hanner, the…
A Congregation in Exile: Dignity SA Marks 40th Anniversary
This month, Dignity San Antonio observes its 40th anniversary of providing a safe space for LGBT Catholics to reconcile, heal and integrate their sexuality with their spirituality. Dignity’s story is one of a congregation in exile. In its four-decade history, the group has worshipped in several Catholic churches only to be asked later to leave…
Tex-Mex Vegeria Celebrates Fifth Anniversary
San Antonio’s gay-owned, Tex-Mex vegan restaurant, Viva Vegeria, is holding a two-day celebration to mark its fifth anniversary on August 5 and 6. The restaurant first opened in 2011 at 8407 Broadway near Loop 410 under the name Vegeria. The eatery was a success with menu items like vegetable enchiladas, veggie nachos, gluten-free baked goods…
Benefit Concert for Orlando Victims Planned at UIW
Over 40 classical musicians will participate in an August 13 concert at the University of the Incarnate Word Concert Hall to benefit the victims of the Orlando shootings. Proceeds from the donation-only performance will be sent to The Center Orlando. The Orlando San Antonio Tribute Concert includes the participation of musicians from San Antonio and other…
LGBT Couples and Singles Support Group Started in New Braunfels
A new group, the LGBT L.O.V.E. Support Group, has started organizing meetings and events in New Braunfels for singles and for couples who are married, engaged, or in long-term committed relationships. The group’s motto is Love Overcomes Virtually Everything. Organizers for the new group, Rachelle Garza-Cadena and Alic Garza-Cadena, said in a post on Facebook…
Young Texan Proud to be Gay and Republican
When the Republican National Convention convened in Cleveland last month, the Texas delegation included a 21-year-old delegate who says he came out two days after the shootings at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. When he got to the convention, Colton L. Buckley says he felt welcomed. “No longer was I the closeted elephant in the…
Nine Times Ken Paxton Tried to Defeat LGBT Community
Last week, it was revealed that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accepted over $100,000 from the founder of a company who his office was investigating for Medicaid fraud. Paxton claims to have done nothing wrong because his $100,000 donation came from a “family friend.” In 2015 Paxton was indicted on two counts of securities fraud and one…