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Photos by Antonia Padilla
HRC
to honor ‘Papa Bear’ founder of AIDS Foundation
QSanAntonio.com, August 4, 2010
At the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in San Antonio when no one wanted
to treat the infected, Robert "Papa Bear" Edwards started the
San Antonio AIDS Foundation to care for local gay men who were sick and
dying. In the process he became a fervent advocate for people with AIDS
who faced discrimination in housing, on the job and in the military. On
October 23, the Human Rights Campaign will honor Edwards’ achievements
at their annual Gala Dinner by bestowing upon him the Chuck Jordan Award.


Ellen’s mom, Betty
DeGeneres, to speak at HRC Gala
QSanAntonio.com August 14, 2010
Betty DeGeneres, mother of comedienne Ellen DeGeneres, will be the keynote
speaker for the Human Rights Campaign San Antonio Gala and Silent Auction
scheduled for October 23 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
Betty DeGeneres has worked with HRC since 1997 when she became the first
straight spokesperson for the organization’s Coming Out Project.
She is the author of "Love Ellen: A Mother/Daughter Journey"
"The fact that I'm a mom advocating equal rights for my daughter
and her partner underscores the point that ending discrimination based
on sexual orientation is not just important to gay people, it's important
to their families and the people who love them," she told HRC Quarterly
in 1997.
Betty DeGeneres traveled the country with this message, and also made
a television public service announcement for HRC entitled "For Our
Families." In it, she said: "For too long, gay Americans have
suffered discrimination. As long as our sons and daughters are excluded
from the basic protection of law, we must share that burden as a family."
In an interview with the newspaper at the State University of New York
at Canton, DeGeneres said she targets parents with her activism, playing
to her strengths as being a mother who loves her daughter. During speeches
across the country, she delivers her prescription about coming out, which
includes three steps:
"First, remember what really matters, for all families that is the
unconditional acceptance, love and support for each other. When a child,
parent or sibling comes out, they're not changed at all. They're simply
giving you their own gift of honesty and love and asking that you begin
to understand.
"Second, be patient. Whether gay or straight, we all need time to
think, reflect and prepare. Before we blurt out words we later wish we
hadn't said, we should stop and really listen to each other. For straight
family members, this is the time we begin to come out ourselves.
"Finally, celebrate your coming out. The first step demands courage,
but every step that follows is exhilarating and rewarding. Find out personally
how much better your life can be, how close your family and friends will
become and how strong you feel once you have embraced the truth."
Human Rights Campaign San Antonio Gala and Silent Auction, Saturday
October 23, 2010 at the Grand Hyatt, 600 East Market Street. Silent Auction
at 6 p.m., Dinner at 7 p.m. and After Party at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are
$175 (students $75), to purchase go to: SanAntonio.hrc.org/dinner.


HRC to help Hispanics
seeking citizenship
QSanAntonio.com, July 1, 2010
The San Antonio chapter of the Human Rights Campaign seeks volunteers
to help Hispanics who are legal permanent residents in completing their
applications to become US citizens. An HRC mailing describes the effort
as a "historic campaign to build strategic alliances with the Latino/a
community!" The initiative is dubbed "Ya Es Hora" (The
Time is Now).
Volunteers will be needed from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday,
July 10th at theHenry B Gonzales Convention Center, 200 East Market Street.
Spanish fluency is helpful, but not necessary. Participation at one of
the volunteer trainings below is required. All are webinar trainings and
require access to a phone and internet.
Option 1: Monday, July 5th (English)
Noon – 1:30 p.m. CDT
Click here to register
Presented by: Sheila Starkey Hahn, Law Offices of Sheila Starkey Hahn,
AILA
Option 2: Tuesday, July 6th (English)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CDT
Click here to register
Presented by: Nicolette Glazer Esq. Law Offices of Larry R Glazer, AILA
Option 3: Wednesday, July 7th (Spanish)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CDT
Click here to register
Presented by: Elisa M. Sequeira. Department of Civic Participation NALEO
Option 4: Thursday, July 8th (English)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CDT
Click here to register
Presented by: Professor Allan Wernick, CUNY Citizenship Now!
Option 5: Friday, July 9th (Spanish)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CDT
Click here to register
Presented by: Elisa M. Sequeira. Department of Civic Participation NALEO
If interested, please RSVP to Gayl Newton, HRC San Antonio Diversity Co-Chair,
at gaylnew@sbcglobal.net by July 6th with the following information:
1) Your name, email address, and cell phone number
2) Your t-shirt size
3) Your fluency in Spanish (helpful but not required)
4) The training option you will participate in
5) Your city of residence


HRC responds to criticism
over hotel for Gala Dinner
QSanAntonio.com, May 21, 2010
The Human Rights Campaign issued a statement on May 21 in response to
a posting by blogger and activist Jay Morris (JaySays.com) criticizing
the organization for choosing the Grand Hyatt for its San Antonio Gala
Dinner and Silent Auction. (See related link below.)
The Grand Hyatt was recently embroiled in a labor dispute over two workers
who were fired because they were trying to organize a union at the property.
The suit against the Hyatt by the two workers has been settled and employees
are now free to pursue forming a union at the hotel. However, some local
labor activists maintain that employee grievances about working conditions
cannot be addressed until the union is actually in place.
Following is the statement received by QSanAntonio from Michael Cole,
the Human Rights Campaign spokesperson:
"The Human Rights Campaign believes strongly in the labor movement
and is proud to partner with many workers’ rights organizations.
HRC strives where possible to patronize union-friendly hotels and makes
a venue’s labor policies critical to our decision making process
that also includes considering location, size and availability. In the
particular case of our San Antonio dinner, we are not aware of any current
boycott of the Grand Hyatt and understand local groups such as the Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce and Planned Parenthood have patronized the hotel recently.
We will continue to monitor the situation there and be in contact with
local union organizers."
Commentary:
Anti-gay, anti-worker Hyatt gets support from HRC San Antonio
By Jay Morris, JaySays.com, May 20, 2010
ZONKERS!!!! Imagine my surprise when I opened my email box and discovered
a tip advising me that the San Antonio Chapter of the Human Rights Campaign
is holding its Gala and Silent Auction at the Grand Hyatt Riverwalk in
San Antonio.



San Antonio veterans
lobby against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Photos by Gilbert Casillas, QSanAntonio.com, May 13, 2010
Five San Antonians were among the over 400
veterans from 44 states who were in Washington D.C. earlier this week
to lobby for the repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell."
The San Antonio participants (shown in left photo, top row, left to right)
were Eric Alva, Gilbert Casillas, William Nuels (seated), Kevin Voelker
and Alicia Palmer.
The five San Antonio vets' trip was made possible
through a fundraiser held on May 2 that raised money to help defray their
costs. (See related story below.) Of the six Texans who attended the Lobby
Day, five of them were from San Antonio.
San Antonio vet Eric Alva posted an article
offering his reflections about Lobby Day on the HRC web site. The link
to that article follows below:
Reflections
on Veterans Lobby Day
By Eric Alva, HRCBackStory.com, May 14, 2010
Veterans Lobby Day on "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" was
nothing less than truly amazing. I was touched to see so many active duty
service members and veterans come to Washington to lobby Congress on such
a personal and important issue.

Activists spearhead
fundraising drive for S.A. vets
QSanAntonio.com, April 17, 2010
Three local activists are spearheading a fundraising effort to sponsor
expenses for local veterans who cannot afford the trip but who would like
the opportunity to lobby Congress during the national Veterans Lobby Day
on Don't Ask, Don't Tell in Washington DC on May 10 and 11.
The lobby day is being sponsored or endorsed by over 45 LGBT groups, including
the Human Rights Campaign, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Equality
Texas, the Stonewall Democrats and the American Veterans for Equal Rights.
"This broad coalition coming together to urge Congress to end ‘Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell’ represents a powerful voice for repeal this
year," said Jarrod Chlapowski, the military spokesperson for the
Human Rights Campaign. "A wide majority of Americans, including Democrats,
Republicans and independents recognize this discriminatory law hurts our
national security and fails to live up to our values. The time to end
‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is now."
"We have local veterans, some who have been discharged from the military
for being gay, who have expressed a desire to make their case to Congress,"
says George Page who, along with Darrell Parsons and Eric Alva, is leading
the local fundraising drive. "These vets have compelling stories
that our lawmakers need to hear. However, without financial assistance,
their stories may not be heard."
"We’re looking for a venue that is willing to host this event
and provide complimentary appetizers and offer a cash bar," explains
Page. "If anyone knows of a business that’s willing to help
us with this, please let us know. The date we're aiming for is Sunday,
May 2 in the afternoon."
Page says he and his fellow organizers are asking the community to support
the effort by spreading the word to their friends and acquaintances once
the event details are announced. "This will be an fundraiser sponsored
by local individuals who want to help San Antonio veterans make their
voice heard in Washington."
For more information about how to help with this effort, contact the organizers
by email at george-page@satx.rr.com.
Click here
for more information about Veterans Lobby Day on Don't Ask, Don't Tell.


Stephanie Romero, Chris Forbrich, George
Page, Michelle Meyers, Elizabeth Schleigh, Christopher Sauder, Gayl Newton,
Lauryn Farris, Misha Ortiz.
HRC visits Congressman
Rodriguez’ office
By George Page, QSanAntonio.com, November 20, 2009
A group of activists from the San Antonio Chapter of the Human Rights
Campaign and their allies visited Rep. Ciro Rodriguez's Northside office
on November 17 to ask for his support for H 3017 the fully inclusive Employment
Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
Rep. Rodriguez and Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz from Corpus Christi are the only
two Texas Democratic Congressman who have not signed on to this bill.
The group included HRC Governors Elizabeth Schleigh and George Page, Steering
Committee members Lauryn Farris, Gayl Newton, Christopher Forbrich and
HRC member Michelle Meyers. Also in attendance were: Christopher Sauder
a professor from UTSA; Misha Ortiz, a community activist from Rodriguez’
district; and Peter, a straight ally.
The group met with Stephanie Romero a staff person from the Congressman's
office. Romero listened to stories of how anti-gay job discrimination
has affected the GLBT community. Peter, the straight ally, said he wanted
to see discrimination go away. He said that the majority cannot stay silent
on this issue and he supported an inclusive ENDA.
Farris explained that most Fortune 500 companies and Fortune 100 companies
have inclusive provisions yet the US Government still practices discrimination
in the work place. As the President of the San Antonio Gender Association,
she understands from so many how discrimination affects job retention
and hiring.
Romero also listened to stories about the fear of coming out at work due
to fear of being fired. Some said that being open about their sexual orientation
prevented them from getting a promotion even when they were more qualified
than other candidates.
One woman recounted how she let the hiring manager know she was gay and
when she went back she was denied the job because it would cause a "hardship"
for the rest of the department.
The meeting wrapped up with the group asking Romero to convey their concerns
to Congressman Rodriguez and to urge him to support ENDA.

HRC Gala and Silent
Auction, November 7, 2009, Westin Hotel
All photos copyright Antonia Padilla










Click
here for additional photos.


Pegasus owner to be
honored by HRC
QSanAntonio.com, October 24, 2009
Mauro Garza, owner of the Pegasus Bar, has been chosen by the local chapter
of the Human Rights Campaign to receive a Community Service Award which
will be presented to him at the group’s Gala Dinner on November
7.
Garza has lived in San Antonio for the past 21 years. He received a Masters
of Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio and was an Adjunct
Faculty member at San Antonio College for seven years.
Garza’s career includes serving as the President of Southwest Analytical
Concepts, where he provided technical assistance to various government
agencies in the areas of evaluation, assessments and surveys. He also
served as Director of Grants and Contracts Management at the Southwest
Foundation for Biomedical Research.
He also worked for the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse developing
Councils on Alcohol and Drug Abuse for the State of Texas and was Nationally
Certified as a trainer for the National Institutes on Alcohol and Drug
Abuse.
Garza’s firm, M. Garza Enterprises, Inc., purchased the Pegasus
Night Club which has supported numerous community-based organizations
through fundraisers that are held there on a weekly basis.
Garza’s contributions include the Alamo City Council of Clubs, San
Antonio AIDS Foundation, Texas Gay Rodeo Association, the Royal Sovereign
and Imperial Court of the Alamo Empire, Bears of San Antonio, PrideFest
SA, San Antonio Diablos, Gay Pride SA and others.
According to information provided by the local
HRC chapter, it is estimated that this year alone, Garza has contributed
over $100,000 to various community organizations.


Marsha Warren (right) with her partner
Michele Burnett at the 2008 HRC Gala Dinner and Silent Auction. (Photo
by QSanAntonio.com)
Marsha Warren to be
honored by HRC
QSanAntonio.com, September 16, 2009
The San Antonio chapter of the Human Rights Campaign this week chose activist
Marsha Warren to receive the Chuck Jordan Community Service Award on November
7 at their annual gala dinner.
"In a unanimous vote, the HRC San Antonio Steering Committee believed
that Marsha was the perfect choice for this year’s selection, due
to her tireless efforts and varied broad involvement within the San Antonio
GLBT Community," said local HRC Governor George Page.
The award, which is given annually, is named after San Antonio activist
Chuck Jordan who passed away in 1997. In his spirit and memory the San
Antonio HRC Steering Committee established The Chuck Jordan Community
Service Award in 2004, to be given annually to a deserving member of the
community.
Warren is currently a member of the Metropolitan Community Churches, Board
of Administration and serves the denomination as its Treasurer. She also
serves as Board member and Treasurer of MCC San Antonio, Equality Texas
and Equality Texas Foundation.
Warren’s affiliations include being a founding member of Circle
of One Social and Charity Club. A grass root organization, which raised
funds to help various nonprofit groups in San Antonio from 1990 to 1994.
She joined MCC of San Antonio in 1998 and has served as Chair of the Fund-Raising
Committee, Chair of the Finance Committee, Treasurer for Women’s
Ministry and church representative to the local Pride Day planning committee.
She has served as the former Chair and Treasurer of PrideFest.
Warren was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has one sister. She enrolled
in the U.S. Army and, while stationed at Fort McPherson, earned the honor
of being the first person to go before the promotion board and receive
a perfect score.
When she left the military, Warren pursued a career helping people as
a Social Worker. She attended St. Leo College in Florida, where she graduated
Cum Laude with a degree in Business Administration and Human Resources
Management. After working for several years with the Georgia State Department
of Human Resources, she moved to San Antonio, Texas, and enrolled in the
University of Texas where she earned a degree in Accounting. She subsequently
passed the Certified Public Accountants exam on her first attempt.
Since 1986, Warren has been helping people through her employment with
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An expert in individual, non-profit,
church, and corporate federal income tax rules, she currently serves as
a Financial Products Specialist for the IRS, which involves providing
tax advice to Fortune 500 companies.
In describing her vision for the community Warren said: "I envision
a world where everyone is welcome and appreciated. Where my partner and
I will not be the ‘lesbians’ or ‘black women’
but the friends. Where the golden rule is not just a rule that we aspire
to, but what we live out in our lives. I know some would say that sounds
like utopia. I say it is heaven on earth."
The HRC Gala and Silent Auction is on November 7 at the downtown Westin
Hotel. Tickets are available at SanAntonio.HRC.org/dinner.


HRC Diversity Officer
to speak at gala dinner
QSanAntonio.com, October 15, 2009
Cuc Vu, the Chief Diversity Officer for the Human Rights Campaign, will
be back in San Antonio for the second year in a row to address the group’s
gala dinner slated for November 7.
Vu’s job at HRC is a first for a GLBT organization. In this capacity
she has launched a new HRC Women’s Initiative, convened a Diversity
& Inclusion Council supported by leaders from both the corporate,
non-profit and community sectors, and initiated a ground-breaking program
called Equality Forward that engaged 5,000 GLBT people of color in partnership
with more than 100 organizations.
She is now exploring the creation of a first-ever training program to
develop a new cadre of GLBT people of color grassroots organizers with
the language and cultural competency to bridge the GLBT and people of
color communities.
Vu spent 10 years working in the labor movement at the AFL-CIO and the
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) as an advocate for women,
immigrants and workers. At SEIU, she worked alongside Eliseo Medina and
led the union’s immigrant rights work, helping to establish SEIU
as the leading union on immigrant rights issues, according to the Washington
Post.
Her interest in the immigrant community includes being a founding member
and President of the Mi Familia Vota Education Fund and a founding board
member of the Civic Participation Campaign, two national nonprofits focused
on increasing the civic participation of immigrants in the U.S. Vu has
also served on the boards of several organizations, including the National
Immigration Forum and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
Born in Saigon, Viet Nam, Vu grew up in Olympia, Washington, and currently
resides in Washington, DC. She is a graduate of Pomona College and Columbia
University, and is a graduate of the Rockwood Leadership Program. In 2003,
Pomona College presented Vu with the "Inspirational Young Alumni"
award in recognition of her social justice work in diverse communities.


Lauryn Farris, Kerry Farris, Elizabeth
Schleigh, Beth Walter, Cynthia Benton, Poppy Whiteley, Eric Alva, Darrell
Parsons.

Dr. James Goral, George Page, Mark Walker
and Tom DiNapoli.
San Antonians attend
HRC Gala in D.C.
Photos by Lauryn Farris, QSanAntonio.com, October 15, 2009


HRC Governors Elizabeth Schleigh and George
Page, SAGA representatives Ruby Krebs and Julia DeGrace, and HRC member
Anna Castro paid a visit to the San Antonio office of Senator Kay Bailey
Hutchison.
HRC members visit Sen.
Hutchison’s San Antonio office
QSanAntonio.com, September 10, 2009
Members from the local chapter of the Human Rights Campaign paid a visit
to the San Antonio office of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) on September
8 to make an appeal for her support of GLBT legislation in Congress.
The visit was made as part of HRC’s national "No Excuses"
campaign, an effort to meet with as many Representatives and Senators
to discuss upcoming legislation. The HRC group met with Jessie Hereford,
the Senator’s Regional Director and State Outreach Director.
HRC Governors Elizabeth Schleigh and George Page along with Steering Committee
member Eric Alva, HRC member Anna Castro and San Antonio Gender Association
representatives Julie DeGrace and Ruby Krebs attended the meeting.
Among the topics discussed at the meeting were the enactment of the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act, the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell",
the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, and support of the Uniting
Americans Family Act for US citizens with foreign same sex partners. The
group also touched on the need for early treatment for HIV/AIDS and domestic
partnership benefits for US Government employees.
"We directly asked for the Senator to become the lead sponsor on
the Defense of Marriage Act since there is not one yet in the Senate or
the House. We also asked for her ‘yes’ votes on the rest of
our requests," says Page. "Mr. Hereford said that he would give
the Senator our stories and the information that we gave him."
In August, representatives of HRC San Antonio visited the offices Congressman
Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX) and Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX), and are scheduled
to see Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz (D-TX) in Corpus Christi on September
15. Page said that the offices of Senator John Cornyn's (R-TX) and Congressman
Lamar Smith (R-TX) did not return HRC’s phone calls requesting meetings
with them.




Photos -- LOL tops 200
attendees
QSanAntonio.com, August 21, 2009
The monthly Ladies on the Loose party sponsored
by HRC is growing ever more popular. The party on August 28 at Aldaco's
in Sunset Station boasted an attendance of over 200 people. There was
dancing, a prize raffle and an appearance by retired Marine Sergeant Eric
Alva who urged attendees to purchase tickets for the HRC Gala in November.

HRC Obama's First 100 Days Party at Luther's
Cafe, April 30, 2009




HRC marks Obama's first
100 days with a party
Photos by Antonia Padilla, QSanAntonio.com, May 2, 2009
The Human Rights Campaign of San Antonio's
Federal Club marked the first 100 days of Barack Obama's presidency with
a celebration at Luther's Cafe on North Main Avenue. The event was one
of about 30 HRC was holding around the country. Local Federal Club members
Darrell Parsons and Gayl Newton welcomed about 50 people to the event.
The two speakers also detailed the president's recent accomplishments
and their hopes for future legislation that will advance the rights of
GLBT voters.
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