Top Ten GLBT News Stories | Year in the Life of Gay San Antonio

Eric Alva stands next to President Obama as he signs the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Community Leadership -- Retired Marine Sergeant Eric Alva
Since he came out publicly, San Antonio veteran Eric Alva has embodied the quest for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. From the first time he testified before Congress in 2007 and in the years that followed, Alva represented not just GLBT veterans but all of us in San Antonio. During hearings, demonstrations and lobbying efforts, Alva's prescence and dedication helped end a discriminatory era in our nation's history. Alva's leadership on this issue is a source of pride for all of us.

Civil Service -- San Antonio Philanthropist Robert Lynn Batts Tobin
When San Antonio officials announced the creation of the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in the former Municipal Auditorium, they lauded namesake Robert Lynn Batts Tobin's life as a businessman, art collector, philanthropist and opera lover. What none of them mentioned was that Tobin was a gay man. With the naming of the new performing arts center in his honor, San Antonio now has an official "gay godfather" -- a patron of the arts who loved wearing opera capes and alligator boots, and who used to host early WEBB Parties at Oakwell, his mansion. Tobin died in 2000 but his legacy lives on in the new center and GLBT San Antonians can embrace his memory proudly.

Community Activism -- Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio
The Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio are to be commended for their hard work during the recent election season. They were a vital part of the coalition that brought together the Bexar County United Democrats and were instrumental in get out the vote efforts across the city. Stonewall co-chair Elena Guajardo served as office manager for the BCUD and Stonewall members were ever-present at Democratic political events and organizing efforts. Despite the election losses this year, Stonewall's diligence has earned them the respect of Democrats across San Antonio.

Do Unto Others -- Auxilary Bishop Oscar Cantu
Was it a coincidence that the expulsion of Dignity San Antonio from its weekly mass at St. Ann's Parish happened at a time when the city was between Archbishops? Dignity's removal, ordered by Auxilary Bishop Oscar Cantu, coordinated almost to the day with the arrival of the new Archbishop of San Antonio Gustavo Garcia-Siller. Acting as the apostolic administrator for the Archdiocese, Bishop Cantu's banning of the gay mass left the impression that the new Archbishop was blameless and uninvolved in the decision. It's an unfortunate turn of events, one that seems to reflect the determination of the Catholic Church to rid itself not only of gay priests but perhaps gay worshippers as well. Click here for related story.

Photo courtesy WalkerReport.net

Bad Judgment -- U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia
In December, U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia threw out a lawsuit in which a lesbian couple alleged San Antonio police had burst into their home without knocking, used excessive force and demeaned the women in a fruitless drug raid based on the word of an informant. The case sparked much furor in the gay community and at one point Police Chief William McManus addressed the issue at a special meeting organized by the Stonewall Democrats. Last September, U.S. Judge Magistrate John Primono issued an opinion that was critical of the police and recommended a trial. Garcia overruled Primono and granted the city summary judgement, which ended the suit before it could go to trial. The couple plans to appeal. All that Judge Garcia has accomplished is to prolong a bad situation for two women who only seek recourse for a very traumatic encounter with police. Click here for related story.

Good Riddance -- "Christian" Shock Jock Adam McManus
There was joy in San Antonio's GLBT community with the announcement that Christian radio station KSLR was firing talk show host Adam McManus for budgetary reasons. McManus was the man who organized pickets and a boycott against H-E-B grocery stores because of a $300 donation to PrideFest. He led a long and vicious campaign against Police Chief William McManus when he agreed to be Grand Marshal of the Gay Pride Parade. He persecuted Dr. Lynne Armstrong, a lesbian, when she was up for re-appointment to a citizen's committee. In 2009 when Mayor Julian Castro agreed to be Grand Marshal of the Pride Parade, McManus said the mayor was "kissing the ring of the sodomites" and urged Castro to back out his commitment. “Julian Castro has shamed San Antonio by agreeing to serve as grand marshal of this homosexual parade. There's nothing to be proud of when you participate in behavior that God described as an abomination,” he told the Express-News. We can say with certainty that McManus will not be missed and that our city is better off with him gone.

More 2010 Year in Review

Top Ten GLBT News Stories | Year in the Life of Gay San Antonio