A now-erased provision in Senate Bill 15 explicitly said a potential new state law would not supersede local non-discrimination ordinances. Without that language, many LGBTQ advocates fear Texans could be exposed to some discriminatory employment practices. By Alex Samuels, Texas Tribune What started as seemingly simple state legislation hailed as good for Texas businesses is…
For the second time in two years, the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio have endorsed Ron Nirenberg for Mayor of San Antonio. In his address to Stonewall members at their endorsement forum on Sunday, March 10, Nirenberg, the now-incumbent mayor, reiterated the message that he is mayor of all the citizens of San Antonio. Saying…
Over 30 candidates for mayor and city council attended the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio’s endorsement forum on Sunday, March 10 at the El Tropicano Hotel in downtown. After each candidate spoke, Stonewall members asked questions. After all candidates are heard, Stonewall members will vote on endorsements. The final list of endorsements will be posted…
The San Antonio Young Lawyer’s Association and the San Antonio LGBT Bar Association have unveiled a catalog which provides local same sex couples with information about how to obtain a marriage license and a list of Bexar County judicial officials who will marry them with a commitment to equality. The project, dubbed Will You Marry…
The senior pastor of the Travis Park United Methodist Church in San Antonio says he is feeling angry and hurt after the General Conference of The United Methodist Church voted on February 26 to prohibit same-sex weddings and LGBTQ clergy. However, in a letter to Travis Park congregants shortly after the vote, the Rev. Eric…
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. Councilman Manny Pelaez seems a little caught off guard when I ask him about his decade-long experience as an improv troupe member and stand-up comedian. Still, he takes the question in stride. “Who told you that?” he asks. When I reveal my source, he nods in a circumspect…
The Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio announced their candidate forum and endorsement meeting will take place on Sunday, March 10 in the La Havana Room at the El Tropicano Hotel. The purpose of the forum is to hear from candidates who are running for City Council and to vote on endorsements. The meeting is being…
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. With an origin story not unlike that of fellow Puerto Rican drag star Jessica Wild (who performs in San Antonio on March 6), Yara Sofia rose through the ranks of San Juan’s LGBT nightlife scene, perfecting her craft in famed clubs like Krash and eventually landing on RuPaul’s…
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…
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…
