LGBTQ+ advocates and state lawmakers are mobilizing against the Texas State Board of Social Workers’ removal last week of protections for sexual orientation, gender identity and disability status from its code of conduct. During a Friday news conference organized by the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, advocates said they will pressure…
Texas Equity PAC Releases Lists of Endorsements for 2020 Election
Texas Equity PAC, the official political action committee of Equality Texas, released three lists of endorsements for the 2020 General Election. In their press release Texas Equity explains, “Endorsements are only done for Texas races. Senate and House endorsements are based on the following factors: Authorship or co-authorship of legislation that supports full lived equality…
Texas Democrats Line Up Pro-LGBT Bills as State Legislature Opening Day Arrives
With the January 8 opening day at hand, Democratic members of the State Legislature have been lining up bills which would help enhance the rights of LGBT Texans. Unlike in the previous legislative session, when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s “bathroom bill” was a priority for Republicans, this year no such bill has yet been filed.…
2018 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 2018. JANUARY MCC SA Pastor Resigns From Denomination’s Board After Firing of Black Female Elder Rev. William of H. Knight, pastor of MCC SA, resigned from the governing board of the Universal Federation of Metropolitan Community Churches after the firing of…
2018 In Review: Top 10 Local LGBT News Stories
1) Judge Rules Man Indicted in Death of Trans Woman Can Go Free Mark Daniel Lewis was indicted for manslaughter last year by a Bexar County grand jury for the death of Kenne McFadden, a local transgender woman, after he admitted to pushing her into the San Antonio River and failing to help her, thus…
State Rep. Diego Bernal is Glad You Finally Think Public Ed Is Cool
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. I’m sitting across from Democratic State Rep. Diego Bernal and he’s telling me that his mother and I are neck and neck in tracking his whole political career. In honor of the holiday season, I thought I’d demand a recount. Bernal became this column’s inaugural subject in 2011,…
State Rep. Diego Bernal Files Two Pro-LGBT Bills Ahead of Next Legislative Session
State Representative Diego Bernal of San Antonio has filed two pro-LGBT bills ahead of the 86th session of the Texas Legislature which convenes on January 8, 2019. Bernal has so far authored 26 bills covering a variety of issues. The first of the two LGBT bills, HB 188, relates to the “prohibition of housing discrimination…
It’s a Matter of Pride for the Guardians of the Crosswalk
It’s 3 a.m. on Wednesday, September 26. While most of the community is fast asleep, a group of volunteers is busy power washing the rainbow crosswalk at the intersection of North Main and Evergreen in the heart of San Antonio’s gayborhood. At around 5 a.m., the bleary-eyed crew is nearly finished the job, knowing they’ll…
From the Archives: VICTORY! SA City Council Passes Nondiscrimination Ordinance
Originally published in QSanAntonio, September 5, 2013 (Editor’s note: Today marks the fifth anniversary of the passage of the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance.) Despite loud and vocal opposition from Christian extremists, the San Antonio City Council on September 5 passed a nondiscrimination ordinance that includes protections for LGBT citizens and veterans. The vote was eight in…
State Rep. Bernal Recalls Attempt to Pass LGBT Housing Bill on Samantha Bee’s ‘Full Frontal’
State Representative Diego Bernal of San Antonio made an appearance on the June 6 episode of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee in which he discusses the topic of “The Texas Conscience” within the context of trying to pass an LGBT housing bill with the help of Dallas Republican Rep. Jason Villalba. Last year, when Bernal…