Photos -- Gay Pride S.A. Block Party & Parade
QSanAntonio, July 6
The big finale to 2008 Pride Month came on July 5 with the Gay Pride S.A. Block Party & Parade held along the gay entertainment strip on North Main Avenue. The parade had over 50 entries including several prominent politicians and three Democratic candidates for office. The parade, which lasted just over an hour, was by far the biggest and best held in recent memory. This year’s Grand Marshal was retired Marine Sergeant Eric Alva.

Congressman Charlie Gonzales joins Pride Parade
QSanAntonio.com, July 4

Going where members of the San Antonio City Council apparently fear to tread, U.S. Congressman Charles A. Gonzalez has confirmed to Gay Pride San Antonio Parade organizers that he will participate in the July 5 event. Congressman Gonzales will join State Senator Leticia Van De Putte, Judge Monica Guerrero, State Representative Joe Farias, Dr. Fernando A. Guerra, Director of Health at the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, and three Democratic candidates running for various offices.

Parade organizers confirmed to QSanAntonio that no one on the City Council has accepted the invitation to march, most have not bothered to respond to the invitation. (Click here for related article.)

Congressman Gonzalez, a Democrat who represents Texas 20th District, has long been considered to be a friend to San Antonio’s GLBT community. He often appears at events including the Human Rights Campaign Gala Dinner and the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio’s Awards Banquet. Pride Parade organizers say that Congressman Gonzalez did not hesitate to accept when asked to march.

Joining the Pride Parade march will be three Democrats who are running for office: Ron Rangel candidate for Judge of the 379th District Court; Amadeo Ortiz, candidate for Bexar County Sheriff; and Frances Carnot, candidate for State Representative for District 122.

One group that is new to the parade will be the Gay-Straight Alliance from Wagner High School. The club gained local notoriety when some of its members were disciplined by school officials for participating in the Day of Silence, a nationwide "silent" protest against bullying of GLBT students in the nation’s schools. James Poindexter, a parade organizer told QSanAntonio that the students have been building a float in his driveway. "I’m really proud of what these young people have accomplished," he said.

Another group of teens from the Brackenridge High School Gay-Straight Alliance will join the march as well.

Block Party highlights

The Block Party begins at 3:00 p.m. There will be a Commitment Ceremony at 5:00 p.m. officiated by two ordained ministers Robert Vargas and Mike Baremore. Baremore is from the Reformed Catholic Church of San Antonio. "This ceremony will celebrate not only commitment between people in love," says parade organizer James Poindexter. "It will also be a commitment to self, commitment to community, commitment to city, commitment to our people -- we have had recent incidents of gay bashing in the San Antonio area, including a death recently.

At 8:30 p.m., there will be a Running of the Queens High Heel Race. Contestants will line up in front of Pegaus Bar and chase a bevy of go-go boys up Main Street to where the parade will kick off. The winner will ride back down Main in an open convertible and win a $60 gas card. For more information about the Block Party and Parade go to GayPrideSA.org.

Gay Pride San Antonio Parade participants
QSanAntonio, July 4
Over 50 different units will participate in the 2008 Gay Pride San Antonio Parade that will kick off at 9:00 p.m. at North Main and Dewey. The parade will travel south to North Main and Laurel. Here is a list participants (Subject to change.)

Sgt. Eric Alva (retired) Grand Marshal
American Veterans For Equal Rights
US Rep. Charlie Gonzalez
State Senator Leticia Van De Putte
State Representative Joe Farias
Bexar County Court-At-Law #7 Judge Monica Guerrero
Amadeo Ortiz, Democratic Candidate for Bexar County Sheriff
Animal Care Services of San Antonio - Own Up SA
Obama for President-AlamObama
River City Church Ladies
Human Rights Campaign
The Foccers
The Bears of San Antonio
We Are Alive
Wagner High School Gay-Straight Alliance
Brackenridge High School Gay-Straight Alliance
The Texas Gay Rodeo Association
San Antonio AIDS Foundation
Pridefest San Antonio
The Houston FlyBoys
Dr. Fernando Guerra, Director of Metro Health
Luther's Cafe
The Bonham Exchange
Heat Nightclub
The Silver Dollar Saloon
Pegasus
Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio
Samba San Antonio
The Royal, Sovereign, and Imperial Court of the Alamo Empire
The Gay Dart League
Citibank
Ron Rangel for Judge 379th District Court
Paul Lain-Winner of the Gay Pride SA Cinco De Mayo Dart Tournament
The Saint Softball Team-1st Place winners of the Gay Pride SA softball tournament
SGI-GLBT Buddists of San Antonio
Budweiser
Dons & Bens
Gab Weekly
Frances Carnot for State Representative District 122
The Electric Company and Memories Nightclub
Peter Porras Productions-Mr. Gay San Antonio US of A
Proud 2 B-Community Walkers
The Saint Nightclub
Alamo City Men's Chorale
Erica Andrews
Running of the Queens High Heel Race Winner
Ladies on Wheels Motorcycle Club
Mercedes Benz of Boerne

Eric Alva chosen Grand Marshal of Pride Parade
QSanAntonio, May 23

Philip Barcena, the president of Gay Pride San Antonio, announced that retired Marine Sergeant Eric Alva has been chosen to be Grand Marshal of the San Antonio Gay Pride Parade on July 5.

Alva, the first soldier injured in the Iraq War, is considered to be a local hero. After his injuries, which included losing a leg, President and Mrs. Bush visited him in the hospital to thank him for his service. Alva has become a symbol of the physical sacrifices being made by young American servicemembers. He has appeared on "Oprah" and in People magazine.

Shortly after being discharged Alva came out as gay. Last year he became a spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign speaking around the country in opposition to the military’s "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy. He recently graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University with a Bachelor’s degree in social work.

In an article by Deb Price, a lesbian journalist who writes for the Detroit News, Alva is quoted as saying, "I am an American who fought for his country and for the rights and freedoms of all American citizens -- not just some of them, but all of them. When I was injured, everybody didn't stop, the people who knew me -- that I was gay -- to say: 'Well, he's gay. Don't help him. Let's not save his life.' They were saving the life of an American."

The Gay Pride San Antonio Parade, scheduled for July 5, is the official finale of Gay Pride Month in San Antonio. The celebration also includes a block party on the same day and other events during the month of June. For complete information about Gay Pride San Antonio events go to: www.gaypridesa.org.

Photos -- Pridefest 2008
QSanAntonio, June 16, 2008
The blistering heat of a near 100-degree day did not wilt the enthusiasm of thousands who came to Hemisfair Park to celebrate PrideFest 2008. There were over 40 booths sponsored by clubs and organizations, including one booth for Democratic Presidential nominee Barak Obama. The most popular beverage of the day seemed to be a cold bottle of water. Now in it’s 27th year, PrideFest is the official kick-off of Pride celebrations in San Antonio.

Photos: ACMC concert filled with toe-tapping rock and roll
QSanAntonio, June 22
The Alamo City Men’s Chorale finished off their 21st season with a selection of oldies but goodies at the their June 21 "Let’s Go to the Hop!" concert under the direction of Artistic Director Jennifer Whatley. The enthusiastic audience at the McCallister Auditorium whooped and clapped along to music that recalled the early days of rock and roll.