A lot has changed in San Antonio in the seven years since Chuck Ramirez died. There are working artists, young ones and transplants from elsewhere, who never knew him. To his extended group of close friends, acquaintances, a still-tight micro-community of Southtown artists (for whom the rise of Artpace and Sala Diaz, the expansion of…
‘Bareback’ Sex and Drugs Help Spike STD Rates for SA’s Gay and Bi Men
The ad on the gay hookup site BarebackRT couldn’t have been more succinct. A man was inviting others on the site to a party in a San Antonio hotel room where he would leave the door unlocked and be lying face down on the bed, blindfolded and ready for anonymous sexual encounters, “bareback” — without…
American Idol Alum David Hernandez to Perform at Webb Party
The San Antonio AIDS Foundation’s Webb Party returns after a one-year hiatus on April 21 at the Bonham Exchange with the 80’s theme, “Reboot,” and a live entertainment roster headlined by American Idol alumnus David Hernandez. As one of SAAF’s signature fundraising events, the Webb usually attracts over 1,500 guests and helps raise over $100,000…
SAAF Announces Return of WEBB Party in 2017
After a year-long hiatus, the San Antonio AIDS Foundation announced the return of the WEBB Party on April 21, 2017 as an official Fiesta San Antonio event to be held at the historic Bonham Exchange nightclub. As one of SAAF’s signature fundraising events, the WEBB generally attracts over 1,500 guests and helps raise over $100,000 annually for…
The World According to Karlos
Karlos Anzoategui’s Closet Is Wide Open When you pass the whitewashed stucco walls, go through the gate on Queen Anne Court, and head into Villa Sol, Karlos Anzoategui’s work-and- life HQ, you leave earthly concerns behind. Like Gloria Swanson’s Sunset Boulevard manse, or, say, the Vatican, you’ve entered a self-contained world where, if the walls…
On the Chartreuse Couch: Gene Elder Interviews Michelle Friesenhahn
Gene: Michelle, how nice to see you again. You are looking great as always. Thanks for joining me on the Chartreuse Couch, “my own private Alamo.” We have known each other for many years now. I even remember Shocking Gray. And this was before there were 50 shades. Who knew? I do want to talk about all…
Ray Chavez Recalls Cornyation Antics Through the Ages
“Ray is the heart and soul of Cornyation … it wouldn’t be here without him.” The house was packed and Cornyation was in full swing. The music was blaring, the stage lights glaring, and a group of actors and dancers were performing in another outlandish skit to thunderous roars, when, suddenly, a dancer took an unscripted nosedive…
Moving Forward: Cynthia Nelson’s Vision for SAAF
“I’m happy to be out there and say that SAAF is alive and well.” As the San Antonio AIDS Foundation prepares for its 30th anniversary in 2016, the organization announced in October the appointment of its new president, Cynthia Nelson. Founded in the back of a gay bar by Robert “Papa Bear” Edwards in 1986,…
San Antonio AIDS Foundation at a Crossroads
Nearly 30 years ago, Robert “Papa Bear” Edwards started the San Antonio AIDS Foundation (SAAF) in the back of a gay bar. From those humble beginnings, the organization has flourished, and now appears to be ready for another growth spurt under newly hired president Cynthia Nelson. However, for Edwards and some supporters, that growth has…
Local observances mark World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day is December 1 and is marked with observances around the world including San Antonio. Globally there are an estimated 34 million people who have the virus. Since 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS. According to Texas Department of State Health Services there were 5,477 people living…