DANSA celebrates judge's ruling against Prop 8
Photos by Deb Martin, QSanAntonio.com, August 5, 2010

About a dozen activists organized by the Direct Action Network of San Antonio came together in front of City Hall on August 4 to celebrate a federal judge's decision to strike down California's Prop 8.

In an interview with the San Antonio Express-News, activist Isaac Brown said, "We're glad they have taken the side of what is constitutional. We're hoping for the same thing in our own state. This is a celebration because if its now unconstitutional there, it should be here too."

Gena Hershon was there with her partner. "Yes, finally it about time. We're people. We fall in love, we want a family. It would be great if we didn't need to move from our home just to get married," she told the Express-News.

Activists march on Alamo in support of same-sex marriage
Photos by Antonia Padilla, QSanAntonio.com, May 27, 2009

Over 150 San Antonio GLBT activists marched from HemisFair Park to the Alamo where they unfurled a huge Rainbow Flag. The rally was one of over 100 held across the country on May 26 in response to the California Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Proposition 8 which bans same sex marriage in that state.

The rally brought together every segment of San Antonio’s GLBT community. Speakers included Dan Graney of the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus, Darrell Parsons from the Human Rights Campaign, Marsha Warren of Equality Texas and Rev. Mick Hinson, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church.

The protestors initially gathered at the entrance of HemisFair Park on North Alamo Street where they listened to the featured speakers. The group then walked North along the sidewalks of Alamo Street until they reached the Alamo. Among those in the procession were six same-sex married couples.

San Antonio Police were on hand to hold back traffic at intersections so that protestors could easily cross streets without having to watch for oncoming cars.

The rally offered San Antonio’s GLBT community a highly visible platform for its cause. Scores of tourists and locals alike witnessed the march from HemisFair Park to the Alamo. People riding in cars along Alamo Street honked their horns in approval and guests in hotels along the route came out to view the procession. Some spectators were moved enough to join in the protest.

More photos of this event

$150,000+ raised in S.A. to ban gay marriage in California
QSanAntonio.com, November 16

An amazing total of $153,873 was raised in San Antonio to support Proposition 8, the successful California ballot measure that banned gay marriage in that state. Most of the money came from 14 San Antonians who donated approximately $10,000 apiece. Public records indicate that these donors come from the wealthiest and well-connected circles in San Antonio.

A total of 24 San Antonians donated money to Protectmarriage.com - Yes On 8, A Project Of California Renewal. The donations ranged from as low as $50 to a high of $10,000.
The highest dollar amount donations appear to have been part of a coordinated effort. All contributions for the amounts of $10,000 and $9,999 were made between October 27 and October 30.

In cross-referencing the names of the San Antonio Prop 8 donors with other campaign contribution lists, QSanAntonio found that several of the same high-dollar contributors had given money to the campaign of Mitt Romney, the Mormon politician and former Republican governor of Massachusetts who ran for President this year.

As of November 3, backers and foes of a ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage raised $74 million, well over double what consultants forecast. Prop. 8 -- which passed with 52% of the vote-- was the nation's costliest ballot measure this year.

Below is a list was from public records of San Antonians who gave money to help ban gay marriage in California.

Name -- Amount of Contribution -- Date of Contribution -- Occupation, Employer
Timothy L. Hildenbrand-- $1,000.00--10/30/08 -- Geologist, Hillmont Oil & Gas
Jana Hilton--$9,999.00--10/29/08--None
Peter Evans--$10,000.00--10/29/08--President , Woodside Homes of South Texas
Sherrie Cox--$9,999.00--10/29/08--None
David Nielson MD--$10,000.00--10/28/08--Doctor, David H. Nielson MD
Harold Jensen--$5,000.00--10/28/08--None
Janell Berrett--$10,000.00--10/28/08--None
Jeffry Washburn--$2,700.00--10/28/08--Attorney, U.S. Army
Ronald Kimball--$9,999.00--10/28/08--CEO, Texas Armoring Corporation
Arlo Terry MD--$10,000.00--10/27/08--Physician & President, Opthalmology Associates of S.A.
Duke Williams--$10,000.00--10/27/08--Consultant, AIM USA LLC
Francis C. Burton --$10,000.00--10/27/08--None
John Woodward--$10,000.00--10/27/08--Chemical Engineer, Baker Engineering & Risk Cons.
Kim Beckstead--$10,000.00--10/27/08--Real Estate Broker, Associates Northeast Inc.
Larry Sprouse--$10,000.00--10/27/08--Banker, First National Bank
Melbourne O'Banion--$10,000.00--10/27/08--Real Estate/Investment, O’Banion Investment LP
Richard Lacy--$2,000.00--10/27/08--Insurance Manager, Travelers Insurance
Robert Lindberg--$2,000.00--10/27/08--Sales, IBM Corporation
Scott Spendlove--$10,000.00--10/27/08, Senior Vice President, Tesoro Corporation
Alma Seidlitz--$50.00--10/8/08--Homemaker
Robert Vance--$100.00--9/22/08--Consultant, Robert Vance
Dennis Rushforth--$326.00--9/16/08--Chemist, Southwest Research Institute
Alma Seidlitz--$200.00--9/12/08--Homemaker
Geraldine Woodward--$500.00--8/31/08--Piano instructor, Geraldine Woodward

Source: Richard Dalton, a computer-assisted reporting specialist, compiled this analysis of Prop. 8 campaign contributions for the Associated Press. The analysis is based on campaign finance reports submitted to the California Secretary of State's Office since 2007 and contains data current as of Nov. 3.

San Antonio rallys against Prop 8
Exclusive photos by Antonia Padilla,
QSanAntonio.com, November 15, 2008