Three political no shows at the 2008 Gay Pride Parade include City Councilwoman Diane Cibrian (District 8), City Councilwoman Lourdes Galvan (District 5), and City Councilwoman Delicia Herrera (District 6). The photos were taken at an April 1, 2007 Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio endorsement meeting where all three politicians asked for the gay vote.

Three San Antonio politicians who will be marching include: Amadeo Ortiz, Democratic candidate for Bexar County Sheriff; State Senator Leticia Van De Putte; and Judge Monica Guerrero, County Court-At-Law #7.

San Antonio politicians snub Pride Parade
QSanAntonio.com, June 28

Phillip Barcena, President of Gay Pride San Antonio, the non-profit organization that stages the July 5 block party and parade, tells QSanAntonio that he has had very little luck securing participation from local politicians. Office holders, including some who’ve asked for the gay vote, are telling Barcena that they are too busy or have not replied when invited to march in the annual Gay Pride Parade.

Barcena told QSanAntonio that since early March he’s invited everyone on the City Council numerous times to no avail. He has even waived the $50 fee for politicians who choose to march.

San Antonio politicos may be reluctant to participate in the Pride Parade after last year’s dustup when Police Chief William McManus served as the Grand Marshal for the event. Local Christian extremists denounced McManus and called for his dismissal, mounting a six-week campaign that ended in a rowdy, standing-room-only demonstration at a City Council meeting.

The 2007 Pride Parade controversy manifested itself as a cowardly silence at City Hall. During that time, no one on the City Council, including the Mayor or the City Manager, publicly spoke up for Chief McManus. Only the GLBT community came to his defense.

Ironically, while local politicians play hide and seek with Pride Parade organizers, the campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama plans to participate with a contingent of supporters marching behind an "Obama Pride" banner.

Some no-shows asked for the gay vote

Every election cycle, scores of local politicians looking for the GLBT vote attend special meetings sponsored by the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio hoping to snare that group’s endorsement. As part of the process, the candidates fill out a questionnaire that asks among other things whether they would participate in Pride events if invited. Most of them invariably answer "yes."

An endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio pretty much assures that a local politician can count on the GLBT vote. Stonewall endorsements can sometimes include financial support and campaign assistance from Stonewall volunteers who work phone banks and walk blocks encouraging citizens to vote for the candidate.

Three politicians who were invited to the Pride Parade and who received Stonewall endorsements include City Councilwomen Diane Cibrian (District 8), Delicia Herrera (District 6) and Lourdes Galvan (District 5).

"Councilwoman Diane Cibrian came to the Stonewall endorsement meeting in 2007 with much energy and enthusiasm, claiming to be on the side of the GLBT community, and gave a resounding ‘yes’ to being in the Pride parade" says Barcena. Indeed, during that meeting Cibrian proudly held up her questionnaire showing everyone in the room that she had answered "yes" to all the questions.

Barcena says that on March 12, Cibrian, who is planning to run for Mayor, responded to his invitation by saying she would be out of town at a wedding. "When we later sent out follow-up invitations the Councilwoman responded again, this time saying that she would be out of town at a graduation."

Barcena says he invited Councilwoman Delicia Herrera to the Pride Parade at a Hillary Clinton fundraiser on February 17. "She appeared to be very open about the event but after numerous emails there has been absolutely no response from her at all," says Barcena.

Councilwoman Lourdes Galvan responded on April 11 that she could not attend the July 5 Pride Parade because she would be attending the LULAC National Convention in Washington DC. However, that event does not begin until July 7. "We did see Councilwoman Galvan at a Fiesta event and she agreed to have her photo taken for our Web site," says Barcena.

Another Stonewall endorsee, State Representative Mike Villarreal has declined to participate in the last two Pride Parades. The GLBT community will probably overlook Villarreal’s absence given the pro-gay attitude and support for the community that he has shown in the State Legislature. In 2006, the Stonewall Democrats presented Villarreal with a Political Advocacy Award.

The gayest City Council district in San Antonio

District 1 City Councilwoman Mary Alice Cisneros is one politician who planned to ask for a Stonewall endorsement but never showed up for the endorsement meeting. Cisneros’ district includes several neighborhoods with a strong gay presence including Tobin Hill, Monte Vista, Alta Vista, Southtown, King William and Lavaca.

In January of 2008, QSanAntonio gave Cisneros a "Benign Neglect Award" for failing to attend the endorsement meeting and effectively ignoring one of the largest voter constituencies in her district.

"We spoke with Councilwoman Cisneros at the Hillary Clinton event on February 17 and asked her in person about the parade," says Barcena "She said she was open to it but could not commit. She said it was a very important event and that equality was very important." Barcena emailed Cisneros on March 12 to remind her of the parade and he got a response from Yvonne Byington, the Councilwoman’s senior executive secretary, which read:

"Thank you for sending Councilwoman Mary Alice Cisneros an invitation to participate in the "Patriotic Pride" parade on July 5. We will review the councilwoman's schedule for that holiday weekend and will inform you regarding her availability as time draws nearer. Best wishes for a successful parade!"

Barcena says that he has yet to receive any further word from Cisneros as to whether or not she will attend the parade.

Three politicians who will march

Not every politician in San Antonio will be in hiding on parade day.

Amadeo Ortiz, the Democratic candidate for Bexar County Sheriff and a Stonewall endorsee, will be marching and is no doubt hoping to influence the GLBT vote in his favor. This is the second time Oritiz participates in the parade. He previously marched with former Sheriff Ralph Lopez who was Grand Marshal for the Pride Parade in 2005.

"The one politician who has always been the first to respond and the most enthusiastic and helpful has been State Senator Leticia Van De Putte," says Barcena. "We absolutely love her and are very grateful for her solid, undying support. She came last year even though she had an important family event happening." Senator Van De Putte was the Grand Marshal of the Pride Parade in 2006.

Another enthusiastic parade participant is Judge Monica Guerrero, County Court-At-Law #7. Barcena says that Judge Guerrero wasted no time in replying. "Absolutely! I will be there!" she wrote in her email response.

Action Alert! Invite your City Councilperson to the Pride Parade

Pride Parade organizers have not been able to secure any commitments from anyone on the City Council to attend the parade. Most politicians have not even bothered to reply.

QSanAntonio urges its readers to contact their City Councilperson, the Mayor and the City Manager and invite them to march in the Gay Pride Parade on July 5.

Tell them it is important that they publicly endorse equality for all the citizens of San Antonio. Tell them that there are an estimated 50,000 to 75,000 GLBT citizens in the city. Tell them we are their sons and daughters, their sisters and brothers, their mothers and fathers. Tell them we are a part of the cultural fabric of San Antonio.

Tell them we vote in city elections.

On July 5, come to the Pride Parade to march or to view the festivities. This is one day of the year when our community can show the rest of San Antonio that we are proud of who we are and are not deterred by intolerance and neglect. We must all march!

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