Assclown Alert is a San Antonio Current column of opinion, analysis and snark. At the tail end of the recently completed legislative session, Democrats in the Texas House successfully ran down the clock on Senate Bill 29, a toxic proposal that would bar transgender student athletes from playing on sports teams corresponding to the gender…
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…
“Bathroom Bill” Fizzles as Republican Primary Issue
By Patrick Svitek, February 6, 2018 The “bathroom bill,” once touted as a surefire issue for the 2018 Republican primaries, is barely registering in them with less than a month until Election Day. Last year, state lawmakers waded into an intense, emotional debate over whether the state should restrict which bathrooms transgender Texans could use,…
More LGBTQ Texans than ever are running for office, magazine says
By Rishika Dugyala, The Texas Tribune January 24, 2018 A self-described “gun-toting, truck-driving, true Republican,” Shannon McClendon avidly followed state politics and served as a five-time appointee for various boards under former Texas Gov. Rick Perry. But until now, she never pushed herself to run for elected office. “I’m a Republican who happens to be…
Trans Bathroom Issues Dominated Dripping Springs School Board Election
The days leading up to the normally quiet school board election in Dripping Springs, Texas erupted into a heated battle over transgender bathroom use with one candidate saying he opposed trans students using the bathroom that matches their gender identity. Three candidates were vying in the May 6 election for two seats on the Dripping…
Texas “Bathroom Bill” Endangers Trans People, Protects No One
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. This week, trans individuals, their loved ones and members of their community showed up at the Texas state capitol to lobby and voice their opposition to Senate Bill 6, also known as the bathroom bill. I tried my best to watch a live stream of the bill’s hearing,…
Donna Campbell Among State Republicans to Support Anti-LGBT Benefits Lawsuit
State Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) was among 50 Texas Republican lawmakers to sign a “friend of the court” brief that claims the Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell decision does not give married same-sex couples in the state the right to spousal benefits or the right to live with each other, among other benefits. Others who…
Texas Congressmen Sign Letter Admonishing LGBT-Friendly Companies
Over 100 members of Congress and senators who belong to the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation have signed a letter admonishing executives of professional sports and entertainment companies who have opposed religious liberty legislation in various states. Among those signing the letter were 39 Texas politicians. According to its website, the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation’s vision…
Dems in Local State Senatorial Districts Pass LGBT Resolutions
Democrats in Bexar County’s three State Senatorial Districts have passed several pro-LGBT resolutions that will now be sent for consideration to the Texas Democratic Convention in June. The slate of seven pro-LGBT resolutions was passed by delegates at State Senatorial District conventions held in Districts 19, 25 and 26 on March 19. The three districts are…
State Rep. Villalba backpedals on ‘exercise of religion’ bill
State Rep. Jason Villalba (R-Dallas) announced on March 9 that he has “reconsidered” filing a bill he authored (HJR55) that proposed a state constitutional amendment to the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) which would have eroded the rights of LGBT Texans. Villalba’s now defunct bill is similar to a bill (SJR10) submitted by state…