The City of San Antonio maintained its ranking in the Human Rights Campaign’s 2017 Municipal Equality Index. Now in it’s sixth year, the 2017 MEI scores 506 cities based on 44 criteria including nondiscrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and the city leadership’s public position on equality. “This year’s Municipal…
After Three Months in Office, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg Ratifies His Commitment to LGBTQ Rights
On June 10, Ron Nirenberg did the unthinkable: After two terms as a Councilman for the Northside District 8, he defeated Mayor Ivy Taylor by a convincing 54.59 to 45.41 percent margin (the first time in 20 years that a candidate defeated a San Antonio mayor seeking reelection), and he did it his way: neither…
City of SA Stands Behind Trans Employees After AG Sessions Reverses Federal Job Protections
Officials from the City of San Antonio released statements in support of the city’s transgender employees after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo reversing a Justice Department policy that protected trans workers from discrimination under federal law. “Title VII’s prohibition on sex discrimination encompasses discrimination between men and women but does not encompass…
Mayor Nirenberg Appoints Liaison to LGBT Community
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced on September 6 that he is appointing a liaison to the LGBT community. Juany Torres, who currently serves as senior policy advisor and director of community engagement in the Office of the Mayor, will serve as the point of contact between Nirenberg and the LGBT community. “Our entire city…
SAISD Adds Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity to Non-Discrimination Policy
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. The San Antonio Independent School District board voted unanimously Monday evening to add new protections to the district’s non-discrimination ordinance. Now, students and employees will be protected from discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. “SAISD has to advance with the times and lead…
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…
Growing Number of Corporate Leaders Step Up Opposition to Bathroom Bill
CEO’s from 10 Fortune 500 companies voiced their opposition to the Texas bathroom bill in a letter which was sent to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday, August 3. “No industry will remain untouched by the unnecessary harm that discriminatory laws will do to our competitiveness, to our ability to attract talent, and to our…
SA City Council to Consider Permanent Rainbow Crosswalks on Main Avenue Strip
On August 2, the Governance Committee of the San Antonio City Council will begin the initial discussion of whether to allow the installation of permanent rainbow crosswalks on the Main Avenue Strip at the corner of North Main and East Evergreen avenues. Approval by the committee is the first step before the measure can be…
Mayor Nirenberg Testifies Against Bathroom Bills
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg was among the hundreds of people who testified on Friday, July 21 before the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs, speaking out against two anti-trans bathroom bills introduced by state Sen. Lois W. Kolkhorst (R-Brenham). In his testimony Nirenberg said, “This legislation puts transgender people in the crosshairs of discrimination,…
Supporting Transgender Kids Is Child Abuse Says Texas State Rep
A state representative from McKinney, Texas says that transgender children are mentally ill and letting them express their gender identities is tantamount to child abuse. The remarks were made by state Rep. Scott Sanford during a panel discussion on bathroom privacy legislation which was produced by CBS DFW (KTVT-TV) and streamed on Facebook Live on…