Columnist Gilbert Garcia of the San Antonio Express News reports that former City Councilwoman Elisa Chan, who expressed anti-LGBTQ views while she was in office, says she wants to run for the Texas House District 122 seat currently held by Lyle Larson. “Chan, 55, says she’s definitely running if Larson steps aside,” Garcia writes in…
Stonewall Democrats slam anti-LGBTQ District 9 City Council candidate Patrick Von Dohlen ahead of June 5 runoff election
In a May 18 press release, the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio”strongly urged” voters not to cast ballots in the June 5 runoff election for District 9 candidate Patrick Von Dohlen citing his “extensive history of inciting anti-LGBTQIA hate.” In the District 9 runoff, Von Dohlen is facing off against incumbent John Courage who received 47…
Three Republican Bills Which Threaten Local NDO’s to Receive Hearings in Texas House
Three bills that prohibit cities from regulating how an employer distributes benefits, healthcare, and paid leave, and which also contain provisions that could threaten the enforcement of local nondiscrimination ordinances, are slated to be heard by the Texas House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday, May 1. The three bills (SB 2485, SB 2486, and SB…
A Fight Over Paid Sick Leave is Turning Into a Fight Over LGBTQ Non-Discrimination Ordinances
A now-erased provision in Senate Bill 15 explicitly said a potential new state law would not supersede local non-discrimination ordinances. Without that language, many LGBTQ advocates fear Texans could be exposed to some discriminatory employment practices. By Alex Samuels, Texas Tribune What started as seemingly simple state legislation hailed as good for Texas businesses is…
Proposed Texas Bill Gutting Local Sick Leave Laws Would Also Void Non-Discrimination Ordinances
A proposed bill in the Texas Senate (SB 15), which would deny cities the ability to enact paid sick leave ordinances, also contains provisions that would also allow the state to gut the enforcement of non-discrimination ordinances. When it was originally filed by state Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), SB 15 was designed to prevent cities…
State Rep. Eric Johnson Files Employment Nondiscrimination Bill With LGBTQ Protections
State Rep. Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) has filed a bill in the Texas House that would prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. HB 850, which was filed on January 16, would add LGBTQ protections to current state law that only covers race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin or age.…
Sheryl Sculley Has Been a Steadfast LGBT Ally During Her Tenure as City Manager
Sheryl Sculley’s November 29 announcement that she will retire after a 13-year tenure as San Antonio’s city manager is a bittersweet development for the LGBT community where she is seen as a steadfast ally. Sculley was the highest ranking city official to ever reach out to the LGBT community when in 2006 she addressed a…
Mayor Nirenberg Says He’s ‘Grateful’ for Proposition A’s Defeat
In a statement issued on November 7, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg says he is “proud and grateful” for the defeat of Proposition A, which was rejected by 54 percent of voters. If Proposition A had passed, it would have lengthened the amount of time needed to collect signatures for referenda, and reduce the number…
Anti-LGBT Pastor Says San Antonio’s NDO Can Be Repealed If Proposition A Passes
A San Antonio pastor, who for years has fought against LGBT equality, is encouraging his followers to vote “for” Propositon A, saying that if it passes the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance can be repealed. Pastor Gerald A. Ripley, a Christian extremist and the main organizer of the Pastor’s PAC, has been circulating a letter to San…
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…