A select month-by-month recap of stories about our community reported here and elsewhere in 2018. JANUARY MCC SA Pastor Resigns From Denomination’s Board After Firing of Black Female Elder Rev. William of H. Knight, pastor of MCC SA, resigned from the governing board of the Universal Federation of Metropolitan Community Churches after the firing of…
2018 In Review: Top 10 Local LGBT News Stories
1) Judge Rules Man Indicted in Death of Trans Woman Can Go Free Mark Daniel Lewis was indicted for manslaughter last year by a Bexar County grand jury for the death of Kenne McFadden, a local transgender woman, after he admitted to pushing her into the San Antonio River and failing to help her, thus…
SA Film Commission Grants Include Two to Directors With LGBT-Related Films
Two of four grants bestowed on December 6 by the San Antonio Film Commission were made to local directors who have created films with LGBT-related content. Allison Herrera, Nathanial “Than” Niles, Justin A. Rodriguez, and Dave Sims all received $5000 Local Filmmaker Grants meant to assist them with production costs on their films. However, of…
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…
Mayor to Participate in Town Hall on City’s Culture of Health Prize and LGBTQ Resiliency Study
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg will be a special guest at a town hall on October 30 that will feature presentations and a panel discussion about two programs being underwritten by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: The Culture of Health Prize and the San Antonio LGBTQ Resiliency Study. This year, San Antonio received its second…
It’s a Matter of Pride for the Guardians of the Crosswalk
It’s 3 a.m. on Wednesday, September 26. While most of the community is fast asleep, a group of volunteers is busy power washing the rainbow crosswalk at the intersection of North Main and Evergreen in the heart of San Antonio’s gayborhood. At around 5 a.m., the bleary-eyed crew is nearly finished the job, knowing they’ll…
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…
Sitting Down with Unerasable Graciela Sanchez
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. I’m sitting at Sweet Yams Café on the city’s East Side with Graciela Sanchez, director of the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. The sunlight cascades down the right side of her face through the adjacent window, giving her a resplendent glow. Sanchez, who has devoted her life to…
Study of Resiliency in San Antonio’s LGBTQ Community Enters Next Phase
Last September, three professionals from San Antonio were chosen to conduct a research project with the theme, “Building a Stronger Community: Resilience Among LGBTQ People in South Texas.” This week, that team announced their study was moving into the next phase, one that involves interviewing community members. The trio from San Antonio is one of…
Tech Bloc and Rackspace Sponsoring Pride Portraits Event at Hemisfair
In honor of Pride month, Tech Bloc and Rackspace are inviting the community to meet Eric Edward Schell of Pride Portraits and have their photos taken at a special event that aims to “celebrate diversity in our city and tech scene.” Dubbed June #Tech2sDay, the event will take place on June 12 at Consafos Cocina…