Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has fired off a letter asking Texas education agencies remove books from schools he described as “pornography,” specifically citing a pair of memoirs about LGBTQ+ characters that include frank descriptions of sex. Abbott’s letter to the Texas Education Agency, Texas State Library and Archives Commission and State Board of Education comes…
As a stand-up comedian, Joan Riviera Simoncelli wants fellow comics to have the freedom to entertain audiences however they see fit. To her mind, nothing should be off limits. People need to laugh. “The week after my mom died, I went on stage and made jokes about her death,” the San Antonio-area comedian told the…
On Thursday, October 28, District 2 City Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez filed a Council Consideration Request that seeks to expand the reach of San Antonio’s non-discrimination ordinance to include private businesses with 15 or more employees and to establish a “uniform enforcement mechanism that will ensure fairness and opportunity for all people within San Antonio.” Despite…
In 2017, conservative lawmakers failed to pass legislation targeting transgender Texans. Things were different this year. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune For state Rep. Celia Israel, the priority issues for the Legislature this year seemed quite obvious as the legislative session got underway in January. She expected lawmakers to grapple over the state’s response…
A small Texas border town is getting its moment to shine in a new episode of HBO’s We’re Here. In the unscripted series, queens Shangela, Eureka and Bob the Drag Queen — all RuPaul’s Drag Race alums — travel the country, hosting one-night-only drag shows in small towns featuring local residents as performers. A small…
The Ruby City contemporary art center in San Antonio has commissioned local artist and designer Agosto Cuellar to create an altar in observance of this year’s Dia del los Muertos, which is observed on November 1. According to a Ruby City press release, Cuellar “will be honoring local artists and fashion designers using his signature…
A bill that marks the Texas GOP’s fourth attempt to pass legislation targeting the participation of transgender student athletes is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. The bill, which would bar transgender youths from playing on school sports teams that align with their gender identity, cleared a final hurdle as the Texas House…
The bill is one step closer to the governor’s desk. If it becomes law, Texas will join at least five other states that have passed such legislation. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune In the final days of this year’s third special session, Texas lawmakers advanced a bill that would restrict transgender student athletes from…
A 22 year-old man from Dallas was sentenced on October 13 to 23 years in federal prison for his participation in violent crimes committed against gay men using the Grindr app. Daniel Jenkins was the last of four defendants to plead guilty. He admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit hate crimes, kidnapping, and…
Democratic state senators want the webpage reinstated. The resources were removed after Don Huffines, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, criticized their inclusion on a state website. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune Texas’ child welfare agency removed a webpage that offered resources to LGBTQ youth following complaints by one of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s GOP primary…
