Photos: Spirit of Texas Brunch
QSanAntonio, May 19

Over 200 San Antonians were present at the Equality Texas Spirit of Texas Brunch on May 18 at Sunset Station. The annual champagne brunch honors local activists and raises funds for Equality Texas and the Equality Texas Foundation.

The emcee for the event was Keith Price (top row, center photo) the on-air personality from Sirius Radio who made his entrance wearing a large red hat and a feather boa. Equality Texas recognized several local activists. Barbara Del Amo and Tom Duckworth (top row, right photo), co-chairs for the event, were recognized with engraved crystal vases.

(Photos bottom row, left to right) Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson received the Advocate Award. Graciela Sanchez, executive director of the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, accepted the Anchor Award for her partner, attorney Amy Kastely. Actress Kathy Najimy was the keynote speaker.

Attorney Amy Kastley and Bexar County Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Adkison will be honored with awards from Equality Texas.

Equality Texas honors two local leaders
QSanAntonio, May 10, 2008

Equality Texas announced that it plans to honor two San Antonians with awards at its May 18 Spirit of Texas Brunch. The Becky Cross Anchor award will be presented to attorney Amy Kastely, and the Advocate Award will be given to Bexar County Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Adkisson.

Kastely is a life-long activist, in New York City, Chicago, Honolulu, and, for the past 15 years, in San Antonio. Working with the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center and other community organizations, Kastely has participated in organizing, educational, and activist work on civil rights, anti-war, environmental racism, lesbian, gay and trans rights, low-income housing, and other issues.

Most recently, Kastley represented The International Woman’s Day Planning Committee and the San Antonio Free Speech Coalition in a federal lawsuit against a city ordinance that plaintiffs said violated the First Amendment rights of citizens by charging groups who want to use city streets for protests or marches. At St. Mary’s University, Kastely is a member of the faculty of the Civil Justice Clinic that provides free legal services to homeless and low-income clients throughout San Antonio.

From the beginning of his involvement forty years ago to the present, Commissioner Tommy Adkisson is dedicated to both getting and giving the best possible government from Bexar County. To do that, he has recruited a staff of not just motivated but inspired individuals to serve the residents of Precinct 4 and beyond. Commissioner Adkisson has raised or allocated over $300,000 for San Antonio HIV/AIDS providers and has been instrumental in raising community awareness about this disease.

Commissioner Adkisson’s office was a sponsor of "Lead by Example", an HIV testing event held on Worlds AIDS Day in 2007. Together with other Bexar County elected officials, business and community leaders, Commissioner Adkisson was tested for HIV at that event. In January of 2008, Commissioner Adkisson received an Honorable Mention from QSanAntonio in its end of the year review for his Civil Service in helping the San Antonio AIDS Foundation obtain a $100,000 grant from the county for its transportation and hot meals program.

San Antonian elected board treasurer of Equality Texas
QSanAntonio, February 28, 2008

Equality Texas and the Equality Texas Foundation announced on February 27 that San Antonio activist Marsha Warren has been elected board treasurer. Three other board officials were newly elected as well. They are: Martha Oestreich of Kyle as board chair; Dawnetta Miller of Plano as vice-chair, and Reed Bogle of Dallas as secretary.

Warren has served on the Equality Texas Board since 2006 and is a familiar face in San Antonio’s GLBT community. She currently serves as treasurer of Metropolitan Community Church of San Antonio and is a member of the MCC Board of Administration.

As an original member of the Peace Officer’s Liaison Committee, Warren was among those who worked closely with the San Antonio Police Department in the establishment of gay sensitivity training for police cadets. She has also served as the executive director of PrideFest.

Warren previously served in the United States Army and became a social worker after leaving the military. Subsequently, she earned her degree in accounting from the University of Texas and was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant. She is currently employed with the Internal Revenue Service. She s the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gay Say Antonio Lambda Award, the San Antonio Pridefest Community Service Award and the IRS Community Service Achievement Award for Education with Preferred Distinction, and numerous IRS Employee Performance Awards.

Equality Texas has 18 board members, four of whom are from San Antonio. Besides Warren, the other board members from San Antonio are Dr. Paul Boskind, Denise Mejia and Kimberly Lair.

Dr. Paul Boskind and Kim Lair

Two San Antonians named to Equality Texas board
Equality Texas, September 6, 2007

Equality Texas and Equality Texas Foundation announced on September 6 the election of four members to their board of directors, two of whom, Dr. Paul Boskind and Kim Lair, reside in San Antonio.

Boskind is chief executive officer of Deer Oaks, a Behavioral Health Organization with offices in 17 states and the largest private employer of psychologists in Texas. Most of his gay rights advocacy has been on the national level. He serves on the board of directors for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and is a major donor with the Human Rights Campaign, Victory Fund, Point Foundation, Faith In America, GenderPAC and the Michael Palm Center, as well as the Democratic National Committee. Through the Gill Foundation, Boskind’s philanthropic giving has been influenced to focus more on the state and local levels.

"Equality Texas offers an excellent way to advocate for specific issues impacting gay rights in Texas, " Boskind explains. As a psychologist I understand the importance of protecting the rights of all families, including gay families raising children and access to adoption for gays and lesbians." He adds that "according to the 2000 census, San Antonio has the largest number of gay and lesbian households in the country raising children and I look forward to lobbying on their behalf in Austin with Equality Texas."

In addition to his large psychology practice, Boskind owns The Oasis at Medina Lake, the Church Bistro and Theatre at King William, the Main Plaza Market, the Main Plaza Hotel and several special event venues. He recently produced 'Southern Baptist Sissies' at The Church Theatre and he is now involved in bringing the production of the movie to San Antonio.

Kim Lair is an account executive with Univision Radio in San Antonio. She brings vast public relations and marketing experience to the board of directors. On joining the Equality Texas Board of Directors, Kim said, "I believe that Equality Texas is a vehicle for change and works towards the elimination of discrimination for all Texans."

Lair and her partner of nine years have one daughter. "I want to serve because I see the relevance and importance of the issues, and I want to be involved in the process. More importantly, I feel I bring a unique perspective to the board of directors as a parent and a willingness to be dedicated to the organization, the issues, and the community."

Lair is co-chair of the Alamo Heights Elementary School PTA where she also serves on various committees. She has served as a San Antonio District 2 committee member for Education on Demand, which consults on best practices for marketing to ages 4-18. She has volunteered for Planned Parenthood and various clinic days in San Antonio. She is also a coach for the Alamo Heights Little League, and is an Alex Briseno Leadership Award Winner through the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber.

Two members named to the Equality Texas board are from Houston. They are Rob Caballero, an attorney who practices immigration and nationality law, and Grant Caplan who is a partner in a boutique management consulting firm.

Photo left: Dr. Paul Boskind (left) with "Southern Baptist Sissies" playwright Del Shores.

Equality Texas hosts ‘Sissies" playwright in S.A.
QSanAntonio, August 18, 2007

San Antonio members of Equality Texas played host to Del Shores, author of "Southern Baptist Sissies," at the King William home of Dr. Paul Boskind, owner of the Church Bistro & Theatre where the play is currently on stage. During the reception, Shores announced that he is working on a new television series based on his very popular movie, "Sordid Lives." Shores said that the series would be broadcast on Logo, the cable channel, owned by MTV, which aired the recent Democratic candidate forum on GLBT issues.

Equality Texas Lobby Day was held in March 2007. Photos for QSanAntonio by Antonia Padilla

Success at the pink dome
By Paul Scott, EqualityTexas.org, May 31, 2007

Equality Texas is proud to announce that the 80th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature was the most favorable session for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Texans since 2001. Our relentless advocacy on behalf of gay and lesbian foster parents prevented any bill or amendment banning gay and lesbian foster parents from being filed this session; the first time in six years.

The 80th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature was dominated by power struggles, in-fighting, and conservative social issues, particularly in the House of Representatives. Equality Texas expanded its outreach and continued its presence during the session to advocate on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Texans amidst the political turmoil.

Randall Terrell, Political Director, maintained a coalition of 23 organizations and dozens of legislators to keep a foster care ban or restrictions off the table. Our constant daily advocacy with representatives and staffers means that thousands of children can continue to live in safe and nurturing foster homes, and gay and lesbian foster parents can still make the sacrifice to open up their homes to children in need.

Considering the dominance of social issues, such as marriage and divorce counseling, Bible classes, limiting reproductive rights, religious expression in schools, and immigration, we were ecstatic that we were able to keep anti-LGBT issues off the table.

The most positive outcome, however, is our ability to have productive hearings, testimony, and conversations with Legislators about the real issues facing LGBT Texans, including employment, insurance, bullying, hate crimes, and families.

Equality Texas Foundation's "Spirit of Texas Brunch" May 20, 2007

Photos, left to right: Barbara del Amo and Thomas G. Duckworth, co-chairs for the event welcome attendees. City Councilwoman Elena Guajardo congratulated Equality Texas for "your passion and commitment to improving the lives of LGBT citizens in San Antonio and Texas." Sally Said (right in photo, with her son), accepted the Anchor Award on behalf of recipient Becky Cross. (See story below for more on Becky Cross.) The Chief of Staff for State Representative Mike Villarreal (District 123) accepted the Advocate Award on his behalf.

Photos, left to right: Presenting sponsors for the Spirit of Texas Brunch were Paul Alan Boskind, Anthony Escamilla and Thomas G. Duckworth. Actor and comedian Leslie Jordan offered the "keynote speech" a hilarious monologue about growing up gay and Southern Baptist. "When I was born, " he told the audience, " I fell out of my mother's womb and right into her high heels." Jordan also helped during the auction (photo by Bonnie Dietering) by dropping his pants in order to encourage higher bids on a "Desperate Housewives" poster.

Equality Texas honors San Antonio transgender activist
QSanAntonio, Updated May 20, 2007

Equality Texas, the Austin-based GLBT lobbying organization, presented its Anchor Award on May 20 to Rebecca Lynn Cross an internationally recognized transgender activist from San Antonio who died last year. The presentation was made at the Equality Texas Foundation’s Spirit of Texas Brunch. Sally Said of the San Antonio Gender Association accepted the award on Cross’ behalf.

After a twenty-two year career in US Army special operations Cross attended the University of the Incarnate Word to complete her Bachelor of Arts in English. She completed an M.A. in English at the University of Texas at San Antonio and was finishing her dissertation on the writings of Chicana feminist Gloria Anzaldua when she died on July 7, 2006 while returning from a summer session at Dine College in the Navajo Nation.

Cross was a founding member of the San Antonio Gender Association and the former Vice Chair of the board of directors of the San Antonio Diversity Center. She transitioned on July 4, 2003. In July of 2005 she presented at the first Pan-Asian Sexualities Conference in Bangkok and underwent sexual reassignment surgery following the conference. In March of 2006, she was elected as one of two International Lesbian and Gay Association board members from North America. She was the father of two and the grandmother of three.

"We are excited about hosting this event which honors the life and contributions of an important figure in San Antonio," said Paul E. Scott, Executive Director of the Equality Texas Foundation.

Scott says he considers the Anchor Award especially relevant at a time when Texas legislators are attempting to add "gender identity and expression" to hate crimes legislation. "We hope that naming the Anchor Award after one of San Antonio’s dearest transgender activists, we will raise awareness as to the important contributions LGBT Texans have made," he says. "The award makes people visible who are often invisible."