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…
Texas Teacher Who Put BLM and LGBTQ Posters in Virtual Classroom Was Placed on Leave
School officials said parents complained about the posters. Taylor Lifka was allowed to return Tuesday, but she said she is not prepared to come back until the school commits to more inclusive policies. By Stacy Fernández, The Texas Tribune Unable to meet with her students in person because of the pandemic, Taylor Lifka, an advanced…
State Rep. Celia Israel Submits Bill Banning Conversion Therapy
State Rep. Celia Israel (D-Austin) of Texas House District 50 has filed a bill banning conversion therapy for consideration during the next session of the Texas Legislature which begins in January. Conversation therapy, also known as reparative therapy, is psychotherapy aimed at changing a person’s homosexuality, based on the view that homosexuality is a mental…
Fiesta Youth’s Hocus Pocus Halloween Soirée Celebrates Fifth Year
Ghosts and and goblins will be raising their cocktail glasses extra high this year in celebration of Fiesta Youth’s fifth annual Halloween Hocus Pocus fundraiser on October 20 at the Arbor House Suites in the heart of downtown San Antonio. The Arbor House Suites, the city’s only gay-owned bed and breakfast, consists of four, 125-year-old…
LezRideSA Offering Grants to LGBT Youth Groups
LezRideSA announced this week that is accepting applications from local LGBT youth organizations for two $500 LezFund Grants it will award this summer. The grants would be used by the youth organizations to promote or sponsor healthy activities like dance, sports, hiking, cycling and team building events. Underwriting for the grants is being provided by…
New Study Shows LGBTQ Youth Live With Stress and Fear for Their Safety
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. Growing up gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer in the United States comes with a lot of stress and anxiety — including fears of abuse — according to a new study. The 2018 LGBTQ Youth Report‘s findings, released Tuesday by the Human Rights Campaign, are based on the…
Esperanza Center to Host ‘Trans Kids Back-to-School’ Workshop
Back-to-school time can be daunting for any child. For transgender children and their parents, the beginning of a new school year holds challenges the rest of the population may not face. On September 30, the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center will present its second annual ‘Son Tus Niños También – Trans Kids Back to School’ workshop…
Students and SA City Leaders Take Anti-Bullying Pledge
San Antonio City leaders, along with scores of local teens, stood on the steps of City Hall on August 16 and took a pledge against cyberbullying. Among those present at Wednesday’s press conference were San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, State Sen. José Menéndez, Police Chief William McManus, City Councilwoman Ana Sandoval and City Councilman Clayton…
When a Birthday Party is a Fundraiser
For the seventh year in a row, activist Ana Alicia Perez is telling her friends to ditch the birthday presents and instead make a donation to some of her favorite charities. Over the years, Perez has invited the community to a party where she’s accepted donations for the San Antonio AIDS Foundation, the Children’s Hospital,…
Fiesta Youth’s Halloween Hocus Pocus Marks Third Year
Organizers at Fiesta Youth are busy getting ready for their third annual Halloween Hocus Pocus fundraiser, slated for October 15 in the heart of downtown San Antonio. Hocus Pocus is being held in the garden of the Arbor House Suites, San Antonio’s only gay-owned bed and breakfast. Arbor House recently celebrated the 125th anniversary of…