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.