Activists from seven different community organizations are planning to picket Texas Governor Greg Abbott during his “Broken But Unbowed Texas Book Tour” in McAllen, Texas on May 26. Aquí Estamos, the Texas Freedom Network, South Texans for Reproductive Justice, Curando RGV, Valley AIDS Council, PFLAG Harlingen, and Call To Action RGV will participate in the…
The QSA
Salazar Will Face Off Against Pamerleau in Sheriff’s Race
With his landslide win in the May 24 Democratic runoff, Sgt. Javier Salazar of the San Antonio Police Department will now face off against Republican incumbent Susan Pamerleau in the November election for Bexar County Sheriff. In a race that began in March with four candidates in the Democratic primary, Salazar racked up almost 75…
Eric Alva Inducted into ‘Hall of Heroes’
Retired Marine Sergeant Eric Alva from San Antonio was inducted into the OutServe-SLDN Hall of Heroes at their National Dinner in Washington, DC on May 21. Alva was one of five awardees this year. The others honored were: Aaron Belkin, executive director of the Palm Center; Paula Neira, MSN, RN, CEN, Esq. (LT. USN/USNR 1985-1991);…
Doggett Denounces GOP Tactics in House Vote That Allows LGBT Discrimination
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin-San Antonio) is speaking out about the tactics used by House Republicans in a May 19 vote to retain a provision embedded in a defense bill that could potentially allow discrimination against the LGBT employees of federal contractors in the name of religious freedom. “Earlier today, not only did House Republicans vote…
Local Bartender’s Photo Suggests Trans Customers Pee in Bucket
A bartender at a local sports bar posted a picture on his Facebook page of a bucket with a sign thumbtacked above it that reads, “transgender bathroom.” Above the photo he suggested the bar is mindful of “social issues.” The photo, which started circulating on Facebook at around 11 p.m. on May 17, was posted by Brett…
Commentary: Obama Administration Is Right on Transgender Issues
By Guest Contributor Dani Marrero Hi, Organizer, Aquí Estamos Aquí Estamos commends the directive of President Barack Obama to recognize the right of transgender students in public schools to use the restroom that matches their gender identity. While access to public facilities based on gender identity was already protected by federal law under Title IX,…
SA Public Library Sponsors Pride Events
The San Antonio Public Library released a list of events it is sponsoring in observance of Pride Month. This is the sixth year the library has presented such a series. A statement on the library’s web site explains the aim of the month-long observance: June is Pride month, a time set aside to celebrate the…
Market Square Pride Event Marks Second Year
The City of San Antonio’s Center City Development Office is sponsoring the second annual SA Family Pride Fair on Saturday, June 4 at Historic Market Square. The event, which drew hundreds from the LGBT community last year, is a kick-off to Pride Month which is observed worldwide during the month of June. The fair will…
It’s LGBT Prom Season in SA
It’s spring and all around San Antonio high school juniors and seniors are preparing to attend their annual proms. However, for LGBT students, prom night can be filled with anxiety and dread over dress codes and rules forbidding same-sex dates. Last year, Samantha Arielle Lopez, an 18-year-old senior, was told by school officials that she…
Police Roust Homeless Loiterers Near Annex Bar
San Antonio police are called almost daily to scatter dozens of homeless people who loiter near the corner of San Pedro Avenue and West Euclid Avenue where the Annex Bar and the Child Advocates of San Antonio are located. According to a May 4 report on News4SanAntonio, in the last year police have been called…