Jody Bailey Newman & Steve Newman “When Jesse Mata asked us to talk to Elaine [Wolff] and Ray [Chavez] about Cornyation 2014, I was sure they were going to ask Steve to be King Anchovy,” says Jody Bailey Newman — and they did. “But then there was one more question: ‘Will you be Queen Anchovy?’…
Ron Nirenberg: LGBT Ally in the Mayor’s Office
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. It’s been three years since San Antonio’s LGBT community has had an ally in the mayor’s office. During her time in office, former Mayor Ivy R. Taylor did little to recognize the existence of her LGBT constituents, let alone support them. She called 2013’s non-discrimination ordinance — a…
Dancing as a Cure for Poison Ivy (Taylor)
Almost one hundred people from the LGBT and allied community brought their protest to Mayor Ivy R. Taylor’s home for 45 minutes of joyous dancing in Dignowity Park on the evening of May 27. There were no speeches or angry words. Just the sound of music and laughter — all of which took place across…
SA Mom Organizes ‘Gay Pride Flash Mob’ to Dance in Park Across From Mayor’s House
With the mayoral election just two weeks away, one local activist is inviting the LGBT and allied community to participate in a flash mob dance in Dignowity Park across the street from Mayor Ivy R. Taylor’s house. The May 27 event is being organized by Rosey Abuabara who says it is meant to be a…
Treviño Campaign Accepted Contributions from Elisa Chan
According to finance reports filed by District 1 City Councilman Roberto C. Treviño, his re-election campaign has received $1000 in contributions from former District 9 City Councilwoman Elisa Chan, who in 2013 voted against the nondiscrimination ordinance and in a recording made by one of her employees, expressed disgust for LGBT people. Chan made two…
The Diversity and Inclusion Office Is Hiring
Kiran Bains, who heads up the city’s Diversity and Inclusion Office, announced that the department, which Bains currently runs alone, is hiring a special projects manager. “As an office of one, I have deeply appreciated your support in ensuring the success of the Diversity and Inclusion Office. As the year comes to a close, I…
CAUSA, Once Force Behind NDO Advocacy, Is Scaling Back for Now
The leadership team of CAUSA (Community Alliance for a United San Antonio) recently sent an email to its membership saying it will no longer hold regular meetings. The email was sent on October 21 and outlined how CAUSA is scaling back for now: First, we would like to thank each of you for your dedication…
Equality and inclusion officer to address CAUSA meeting
The city’s diversity and inclusion officer will be the guest speaker at a community meeting organized by CAUSA (Community Alliance for a United San Antonio) on February 1 at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. The Diversity and Inclusion Office was created last May when the City Council approved the new department as part of…
Diversity and inclusion officer ready for NDO challenges
Deputy City Attorney Veronica Zertuche says over 100 people applied for the position of diversity and inclusion officer including attorneys, ex-military and corporate executives. In the end, 31-year-old Kiran Bains, an applicant with impressive credentials, got the job. The newly-hired Bains will administer and manage the activities of the Diversity and Inclusion Office, which is…
Most Influential 2015: Justin P. Nichols
Many readers may recognize Justin P. Nichols as the cover model for last year’s inaugural issue of this magazine. However, it is his advocacy as an attorney that brought him to local prominence. In January 2014, Nichols filed the first complaint under the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance claiming AT&T fired his client, Matthew Hileman, because of…