San Antonio gay citizens encouraged to complete Census forms
QSanAntonio.com, March 11, 2010

On March 15, Elizabeth Lyon, LGBT Communities & Governmental Partnership Specialist for Census 2010 will in San Antonio to speak at the Stonewall Democrats meeting. Her address will stress why an accurate Census count is important to everyone, including the gay community.

Each of the 10 questions on the census form helps to determine how more than $400 billion will be allocated to communities across the country. The population count determines how many Federal dollars are funneled into local communities.

The Census Bureau recently announced a policy change. When gay and lesbian couples indicate they are married on the 2010 form, the Census will count them as married. This makes the Census the first Federal agency to recognize marriage of gay and lesbian couples.

Census 2010 will not include questions about sexual orientation or gender identity. However, there are issues in completing the Census form that may be of particular interest to the GLBT community.

Census forms will be delivered to households in mid-March, and completed forms should be mailed back by April 1. From April through July, census takers will visit households that did not submit a form through the mail.

One Census-themed web site, QueerTheCensus.com reasons, "Being counted isn’t just a numbers game, but a question of whether the LGBT community gets access to the resources that support our health, economic well-being, safety and families. The LGBT community must be visible--and that means participating in the census, but it also means being counted fully."

Queer the Census’ solution to gays being counted is a large pink sticker that is affixed on the back of Census envelopes. The sticker, which is available at their web, site proclaims in big black letters, "Attn: U.S. Census Bureau It’s Time to Count Everyone!"

The site also offers a series of frequently asked Census questions for same-sex couples and couples with children.

San Antonio Stonewall Democrats monthly meeting with guest speaker Elizabeth Lyon of Census 2010. The March 15 meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Luby’s Cafeteria Fiesta Room, 911 N. Main Avenue. The meeting is open to the public.

Bexar Democrats will vote on GLBT resolutions
QSanAntonio.com, February 25, 2010

Voters in Democratic primaries across Bexar County and the state Texas will assemble in precinct conventions after the polls close on Tuesday, March 2 and vote on a number of resolutions related to GLBT issues. According to Daniel Graney, President of the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus, the four GLBT resolutions drafted by Equality Texas will appear in the precinct convention packets of all 603 voting precincts in Bexar County.

Graney says that including the resolutions in convention packets "assures maximum exposure of our issues to as many Democratic voters as possible." Graney adds that efforts are being made by Stonewall Democrats chapters in other Texas cities to introduce these resolutions in as many precincts as possible so that they will receive priority consideration at the State Democratic Convention which will take place in Corpus Christi on June 25-26.

The four resolutions developed by Equality Texas, ask that the Texas Democratic Party support legislation calling for: (1) employment nondiscrimination; (2) competitive insurance benefits for same-sex partners of faculty and staff in Texas universities; (3) accurate birth certificates listing both parents of a child adopted by a same-sex couple and; (4) a statewide policy protecting all children from harassment and bullying in public schools.

The text of the four resolutions can be obtained in PDF format from the web site of the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio (stonewallsanantonio.org).

At least one other resolution being circulated by members of Stonewall Democrats would call on the Texas Democratic Party to support the repeal of the anti-gay Texas constitutional marriage amendment that was approved by voters in 2005.

In even-numbered years, voters in both Democratic and Republican primary elections meet in precinct conventions the night after the polls close on election day to elect delegates and alternates to their respective senatorial district conventions, which in turn elects delegates and alternates to each party’s state convention. Additionally, participants in these precinct conventions may present resolutions on an assortment of issues that they hope will eventually be adopted on the floor of the state convention.

The 2010 Republican Primary ballot statewide includes five ballot propositions that are similar to resolutions. One proposition calls for the use of the word "God," prayers and the Ten Commandments in public gatherings, schools and buildings. Another proposition would require a sonogram to be performed on a woman who is about to undergo an abortion.

Although the rules of the Texas Democratic Party allow for a petition process to place propositions on its statewide primary ballot, the 2010 Democratic Primary ballot includes only candidates and no propositions. Instead, Democrats utilize resolutions during the convention process to influence important Party actions on issues.

Front row: Roberto Flores (Bexar County Democrtic Party Chair), Elena Guajardo (staff), Rosemary de Hoyos (staff). Back row: Minerva Mendoza (volunteer) and Cheryl Novak (Primary Elections Manager) at party headquarters.

Politicians seek GLBT vote in San Antonio
Photos by Antonia Padilla, QSanAntonio.com, February 1, 2010

Over 70 politicians sought the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio on January 31. Below are photos of some of the candidates who attended the meeting.

Lainey Malnick (U.S. House Dist. 21), Ciro Rodriguez (U.S. House Dist. 23), Hank Gilbert (Agriculture Commissioner), Hector Uribe (General Land Office Commissioner), Linda Chavez-Thompson (Lt. Governor).

Jeff Weems (Railroad Commissioner), Masarrat Ali (Rep. Dist. 122), Margaret Montemayor (Bexar County Dist. Clerk), Esmeralda Montez (Bexar County Dist. Clerk), Tim Ybarra (Bexar County Clerk.).

Delicia Herrera (Bexar County Commissioner Pct. 2), Paul Elizondo (Bexar County Commissioner Pct. 2), Tommy Adkisson (Bexar County Commissioner Pct. 4), Shiela McNeil (Bexar County Commissioner Pct. 4), Roberto Rios (073 Dist. Court).

Catherine Torres-Stahl (144 Dist. Court), Aida Rojas (150 Dist. Court), Maria Teresa Herr (186 Dist. Court), Peter Sakai (225 Dist. Court), Paul Vasquez (227 Dist. Court).

Rosie Alvarado (285 Dist. Court), Milton Fagin (285 Dist. Court), Lawrence Morales (285 Dist. Court), Paul Talamantez (285 Dist. Court), Tina Torres (288 Dist. Court).

Stephanie Boyd (290 Dist. Court), Norma Gonzalez (290 Dist. Court), Sylvia Marie Lopez (290 Dist. Court), Rosa Maria Gonzalez (436 Dist. Court), Pamela Gabriel Craig (437 Dist. Court).

Rebecca C. Martinez (4th Court of Appeals Pl. 2), David Rodriguez (County Court 3), Alfredo Ximenez (County Court 4), Ina Castillo (County Court 5), Linda Penn (County Court 5).

Ray J. Olivarri (County Court 6), Monica E. Guerrero (County Court 7), Deborah Sandheinrich (County Court 7), Karen Crouch (County Court 8), Liza Rodriguez (County Court 8).

Michael Mery (County Court 12), Monica Gonzalez (County Court 13), Barbara Schraf-Zeldes (County Probate Court 2), Travis Cox (J.P. Court Pct. 2 Pl. 2), Roberto Vasquez (J.P. Pct. 2 Pl. 2).

William Peche (J.P. Court Pct. 3), Albert G. Lopez (J.P Court Pct. 4), Roegelio Lopez, Jr. (J.P. Court Pct. 4), Choco G. Meza (Bexar County Party Chair), Dan Ramos (Bexar County Party Chair).

Lawrence Morales, candidate for 285th Dist. Court, listens to a question from Dan Graney of the Stonewall Democrats at their endorsement meeting on January 31. (Photo by Antonia Padilla)

Stonewall Dems announce primary endorsements
QSanAntonio.com, February 1, 2010

The Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio on January 31 played host to over 70 politicians who sought the group’s endorsement in anticipation of the March 2 Democratic primary.

The list of endorsements includes thumbs up for U.S. Representatives Charlie Gonzalez and Ciro Rodriguez. The endorsement for Governor of Texas went to former Houston mayor Bill White who is running against Farouk Shami who had said he would attend the meeting but never showed up.

Linda Chavez-Thompson was endorsed for Lt. Governor and Barbara Ann Radnofsky for Attorney General.

Only three of the six GLBT candidates running in the primary received endorsements: Monica Guerrero for Judge County Court 7; Travis Cox for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 2; and Rosie Gonzales for District Judge, 436th Judicial District who is running unopposed in the primary.

Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio Endorsements

United States Representative, District 20 -- Charles A. Gonzalez
United States Representative, District 21 -- Lainey Melnick
United States Representative, District 23 -- Ciro D. Rodriguez
United States Representative, District 28 -- No Endorsement
Governor -- Bill White
Lieutenant Governor -- Linda Chavez-Thompson
Attorney General -- Barbara Ann Radnofsky
Commissioner of the General Land Office -- Hector Uribe
Commissioner of Agriculture -- Hank Gilbert
Railroad Commissioner -- Jeff Weems
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 3 -- Jim Sharp
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 5 -- No Endorsement
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 9 -- No Endorsement
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 6 -- Keith Hampton
Member, State Board of Education, District 3 -- Michael Soto
Member, State Board of Education, District 5 -- Rebecca Bell-Metereau
State Senator, District 19 -- No Endorsement
State Representative, District 116 -- Trey Martinez Fischer
State Representative, District 117 -- No Endorsement
State Representative, District 118 -- Joe Farias
State Representative, District 119 -- No Endorsement
State Representative, District 120 -- Ruth Jones McClendon
State Representative, District 122 -- Masarrat Ali
State Representative, District 123 -- Mike Villarreal
State Representative, District 124 -- No Endorsement
State Representative, District 125 -- No Endorsement
Justice, 4th Court of Appeals District, Place 2 (Unexpired Term) -- Rebeca C. Martinez
District Judge, 45th Judicial District Court -- Barbara Hanson Nellermoe
District Judge, 73rd Judicial District (Unexpired Term) -- Roberto Rios
District Judge, 144th Judicial District -- Catherine Torres-Stahl
District Judge, 150th Judicial District -- Aida Rojas
District Judge, 186th Judicial District -- Maria Teresa "Tessa" Herr
District Judge, 187th Judicial District -- Dinorah Diaz
District Judge, 224th Judicial District -- Gloria Saldana
District Judge, 225th Judicial District -- Peter Sakai
District Judge, 227th Judicial District -- No Endorsement
District Judge, 285th Judicial District -- Rosie Alvarado
District Judge, 288th Judicial District -- Tina Torres
District Judge, 289th Judicial District -- No Endorsement
District Judge, 290th Judicial District -- Stephanie Boyd
District Judge, 436th Judicial District -- Rosa Maria "Rosie" Gonzalez
District Judge, 437th Judicial District -- Pamela Gabriel Craig
Criminal District Attorney -- No Endorsement
County Judge -- No Endorsement
County Court at Law No. 1 -- Al Alonso
County Court at Law No. 2 -- No Endorsement
County Court at Law No. 3 -- David J. Rodriguez
County Court at Law No. 4 -- Alfredo Ximenez
County Court at Law No. 5 -- Ina Castillo
County Court at Law No. 6 -- Ray J. Olivarri
County Court at Law No. 7 -- Monica Guerrero
County Court at Law No. 8 -- Karen Crouch
County Court at Law No. 9 -- Laura Salinas
County Court at Law No. 10 -- No Endorsement
County Court at Law No. 11 -- Jo Ann De Hoyos
County Court at Law No. 12 -- Michael Mery
County Court at Law No. 13 -- Monica Gonzalez
County Court at Law No. 14 -- Ernest Acevedo
County Court at Law No. 15 -- Michael T. La Hood
Judge, County Probate Court No. 1 -- Polly Jackson Spencer
Judge, County Probate Court No. 2 -- Barbara Scharf-Zeldes
District Clerk -- Margaret Montemayor
County Clerk -- Tim Ybarra
County Commissioner, Precinct No. 2 -- Delicia Herrera
County Commissioner, Precinct No. 4 -- Tommy Adkisson
Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 1 -- No Endorsement
Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 2, Place 2 -- Travis Cox
Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 3 -- William Peche
Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 4 -- Rogelio "Roger" Lopez Jr.
Bexar County Democratic Party Chair -- Choco G. Meza

U.S. Rep 20th District Charlie Gonzalez, State Rep District 116 Trey Martinez Fischer,
State Rep District 118 Joe Farias, State Rep District 120 Ruth Jones McClendon

State Rep District 123 Mike Villarreal, 45th District Court Judge Barbara Nellemoe,
County Court #1 Judge Al Alonso, County Court # 9 Judge Laura Salinas

Stonewall Dems announce ‘friendly incumbent’ endorsements
QSanAntonio.com, January 23, 2010

Less than two weeks before their official endorsement meeting on January 31, the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio on January 18 released a list of ‘friendly incumbent’ endorsements for the March 2 Democratic primary.

The list of eight consists of politicians who are incumbents and who are running unopposed in the primary. The following list was released after a vote by Stonewall members at their January 18 meeting.

U.S. Rep 20th District Charlie Gonzalez
State Rep District 116 Trey Martinez Fischer
State Rep District 118 Joe Farias
State Rep District 120 Ruth Jones McClendon
State Rep District 123 Mike Villarreal
45th District Court Judge Barbara Nellemoe
County Court #1 Judge Al Alonso
County Court # 9 Judge Laura Salinas

Stonewall will hold its official endorsement meeting on January 31. David Plylar, the main organizer for the meeting, told QSanAntonio that he expects over 50 politicians coming to seek Stonewall endorsements.

The meeting begins on January 31 at 1:00 p.m. and will convene in the Fiesta Room of Luby's Cafeteria on 911 North Main Avenue. The proceedings are open to the public and the media but only Stonewall members in good standing are allowed to vote on the endorsements.

Gay activist elected chair of Bexar County Democratic Party
QSanAntonio.com, December 16, 2009

A little bit of gay political history was made on December 15, when Roberto J. Flores, Co-chair of the Stonewall Democrats, was elected interim Chair of the Bexar County Democratic Party by members of that group’s Executive Committee.

Flores was elected to fill the vacancy left by the outgoing County Chair Carla Vela who resigned because she intends to run for County Clerk. Flores was one of two candidates nominated at the meeting. He was elected by a vote of 101 to 30.

Flores will serve as interim chair until a new County Chair is elected by the voters of Bexar County in the March Democratic Primary and possibly will remain chair until the end of April after the primary runoff election. He is not a candidate for a full two-year term on the March primary ballot. His primary responsibility as interim Chair will be to oversee the Democratic Primary Election that takes place on March 2.

Flores is the first openly gay person ever elected County Chair of the Bexar County Democratic Party. He has been co-chair of Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio since 2007, is a former member of the Board of Directors of Equality Texas and has been the Chair of the San Antonio Peace Officers Training Committee, which provides GLBT sensitivity training to San Antonio police cadets. He has served as Democratic precinct chair of Bexar County Precinct 3122 since 2000 and resigned his precinct chair position after he was elected interim County Chair.

In his speech after being nominated, Flores recounted his lifelong involvement in the Democratic Party and his participation in various civil rights movements, including the GLBT equality movement. He pledged to do whatever he could to unite the local party to turn Bexar County a deeper shade of "blue" in 2010.

A troubled organization

Carla Vela made a tearful announcement of embezzeled funds. Vela said Treasurer Dwayne Adams drained the Bexar County Democrats bank account of $202, 000. (Photo courtesy of WalkerReport.net.)

Flores inherits an organization that is plagued by an internal scandal. On the night when Flores was elected, outgoing Chair Carla Vela opened the meeting with a tearful announcement that the organization’s Treasurer, Dwayne Adams, had embezzled $202,000 from a bank account that contained funds left over from the Democratic Primary in 2008 and owed back to the State.

Adams was to have finished a report that was to accompany the funds being returned to the State. Vela says she did not learn of the missing money until a check she had written bounced and she went to the bank to investigate.

Vela said that Adams had added his name a signatory on the account and over time had been withdrawing cash. Vela was supposed to be the only person with access to the funds in that account. In an interview with WOAI-TV Vela said that she had spoken to Adams and that he had told her he would be returning the money.

However, attempts to reach Adams since then have proven futile so Vela and Flores decided to meet the District Attorney on December 16 to press charges.

Photos -- Gay activist couple weds in Vermont
QSanAntonio.com, October 24, 2009

San Antonio activists Dan Graney and Roberto Flores were married on October 15, 2009 in a civil ceremony held at the Lilac Inn, a bed and breakfast in Brandon, Vermont. Justice of the Peace Joyce Heath officiated at the ceremony.

Graney is the President of the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus and Flores is Co-chair of the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio. The couple has been together for 35 years. The wedding was part of a trip to the Northeast that included a visit to New York City and participation in the GLBT March on Washington D.C. on October 11.

Stonewall Democrats Awards Dinner, October 3, 2009

Keynote speaker was Matt Foreman. Political Advocacy award was presented to Congressman Charlie Gonzalez. Judge Monica Guerrero emceed the presentations.

Dr. Lynne Armstrong received the Community Leadership Award. Olga Hernandes and Michelle Meyers received Volunteer Appreciation Awards.

Stonewall banquet honors local activists
QSanAntonio.com, October 4, 2009

The San Antonio chapter of the Stonewall Democrats honored four local activists on October 3 at their fourth annual awards dinner held at the Palacio del Rio Hotel. The keynote address was given by Matt Foreman.

The event brought together about 140 people including many local politicians and political candidates. Awards were given to Congressman Charlie Gonzales (Political Advocacy), Dr. Lynne Armstrong (Community Leadership), Olga Hernandez (Volunteer Appreciation) and Michelle Meyers (Volunteer Appreciation).

In his eloquent speech Matt Foreman reviewed some of the "slow steady progress" made on GLBT issues in the last eight years. However despite this progress he urged the audience to "keep pressing on -- making equality a central role in our activism."

Foreman cited the enactment of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the repeal of "don’t ask, don’t tell" and the acceptance of gays in the religious community as important issues to "press on."

"We also need to step up to the plate to bring converts to our cause from among our family and friends. Unless we speak up, we can’t make it real to them" he said.

Roberto Flores (left), Stonewall Co-Chair, and Deputy Chief Jose Banales of the San Antonio Police Department at the meeting of the Stonewall Democrats on August 17. (Photo by Antonia Padilla)

Deputy Police Chief fields questions at Stonewall Democrats’ meeting
QSanAntonio.com, August 18, 2009

Deputy Chief Jose Banales, the San Antonio Police Department’s GLBT liaison, made a quick appearance at the August 17 meeting of the Stonewall Democrats and offered a progress report on the department’s efforts to respond to the community’s concerns.

Banales had no prepared comments. He did however offer an update on the Internal Affairs investigation of a drug raid made on the home of a lesbian couple (click here for related story) that found no evidence of wrongdoing but left the women traumatized and shaken for months afterward.

According to Banales, the investigation is almost complete and that the findings would be presented to a review board. He said that Police Chief William McManus would take the lead in making sure the case would be resolved to the "satisfaction of all parties."

Banales also outlined a service initiative the SAPD has undertaken to survey citizens of San Antonio asking them to rate the performance of the department. Over 300 calls have been made and the SAPD eventually hopes to post the results of the survey on their web site. The SAPD is hoping to include the survey twice a year in City Public Service invoices.

The surveys are a reaction to widespread belief that policemen are callous and indifferent toward citizens. Banales said that 90 percent of the 300 surveys rated the police as doing a good job. He added that it was not good enough and the department wanted to bring up that rating.

During the question and answer session, two questioners, Nancy Russell and Dr. Lynne Armstrong admonished Banales on the treatment of GLBT citizens and the reluctance of senior SAPD officers to take and endorse sensitivity training.

Dr. Armstrong, who is a member of the Peace Officers Liaison Committee and helps conduct sensitivity training at the Police Academy, told Banales that when senior officers were offered the training very few signed up and those who did complained that they felt it was unnecessary.

Banales admitted that there was work to be done and that Chief McManus was committed to improving the SAPD’s relationship with the community.

Phyllis Guest, Reynaldo Garcia and Raymundo Garcia (seated) circa 1969. Phyllis and Raymundo at the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio meeting on July 20, 2009.

Speakers evoke memories of Stonewall 1969
QSanAntonio.com, July 21, 2009

Two Texans who were living in New York City in June of 1969, at the time of the Stonewall riots, offered up their personal recollections of those historic days at the July 20 meeting of the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio.

Though their experiences were different Phyllis Guest from Dallas and Raymundo Garcia of San Antonio both say that the time was right for GLBT people to fight back against a system that routinely persecuted sexual minorities.

"Gay people were tired of being shoved aside," Guest said. "In 49 states gay sex was illegal, there was no law protecting a gay person’s job, housing or insurance."

The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City.

Guest, who worked in NYC as a writer and proofreader, explained that late night raids on gay bars were not unusual in the city. "They would just come in turn out the lights and send everybody home," she said.

On June 28, the day the riots began, Guest stopped by the Stonewall Inn early in the evening to have a quick beer with friends. "It was a hot Friday afternoon and the day of the Judy Garland funeral," she recalls.

"The Stonewall was kind of a down and dirty place, mostly younger street kids, drag queens — a more flamboyant, open crowd," said Guest. Yet despite the altercation with police, Guest says that the disturbance was not as violent as it could have been. "There were no gun shots or fires started."

Garcia had only been in New York City a short time before the events of Stonewall. He moved to the city in 1969 at the urging of his twin brother, Reynaldo, who was studying ballet. The brothers shared an apartment on the city's Upper West Side.

In the first few days of his time in New York, Garcia took in the original Broadway production of "Hair," his first opera at the Metropolitan Opera House, his first ticker tape parade and the Stonewall riots. "It was phenomenal," he said.

Garcia recalls on June 27, 1969, he spent three-and-a-half hours waiting in line to see Judy Garland’s casket. He said that the crowd was colorfully dressed in hippie and mod fashions and that the gays were out in full force.

While he waited in line, Garcia remembers a man who was sobbing uncontrollably was helped out of the funeral home by two people. "My friend asked if he was a good friend of Judy’s. One of the people replied ‘No, but he has all her albums.’"

When Garcia finally got into the funeral home he recalls that Garland looked like Snow White laid out in her glass coffin.

Garcia said that later that evening he went down to the Village to meet up with his brother but when he arrived at the subway stop at Christopher Street he was not allowed by police to exit to the street. He had to go around to another exit a couple of blocks away before he could reach street level.

He says that when he arrived at Sheridan Square, which is across the street from the Stonewall Inn, the worst of the riot was over. His brother was there and had gotten a minor laceration to his head.

"The gay club kids were strutting around like angry peacocks," Garcia said. "There were bricks, and broken glass everywhere." He says the civil disturbances continued on for weeks.

One year later, the Garcia brothers participated in the first Pride March in New York City. Garcia says that police never released official estimates of crowd size, but activists estimated that the march attracted over 150,000 participants. "We marched up Fifth Avenue to Central Park where another 100,000 people were waiting to have a rally."

Garcia believes that the years since Stonewall have not brought the change that GLBT people need. "Forty years later and we’re still fighting for the same things. There have been some advances but we need more. Change will come but it will take a long time."

S.A. activist elected to second term on board of National Stonewall Dems
QSanAntonio.com, June 20, 2009

San Antonio political activist Olga M. Hernandez has been elected to a second term as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Stonewall Democrats. Hernandez is a native of Brownsville, Texas who has lived in San Antonio since 1971.

During her first term on the National Stonewall board, Hernandez served on committees that focused on membership, personnel, diversity and relations with the Democratic National Committee. She was also on the board of the Stonewall Democrats in 2007 and 2008 and a member of the Executive Committee of the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus from 2006 through 2008.

Describing herself as a life-long "yellow dog Democrat," Hernandez has been a political activist on the local, state and national scene. Here in San Antonio, she has served as a grassroots campaign worker for scores of pro-equality candidates. She was a Precinct Convention Secretary and delegate to the State Democratic Convention in 2006 and 2008.

Hernandez has worked as a science educator throughout her career teaching at both the high school and college level. Presently she is an adjunct faculty member of Our Lady of the Lake University and Palo Alto College, both in San Antonio.

Hernandez’s partner, Dr. Lynne Armstrong, is presently co-chair of the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio. The couple lives in Northwest San Antonio with their three dogs: Parker, Frances and Annie Pearl.

Politicians who attended Stonewall Candidate Forum
Photos by QSanAntonio.com, March 29, 2009

Mayoral candidates: Napoleon Madrid, Rhett R. Smith, Julian Castro.

District 1 candidates: Mary Alice Cisneros, Chris Forbrich, Ruby Mae Krebs.

District 2 candidates: Byron Miller, Dan Martinez, Ron Wright.

District 5 candidates: John Carlos Garcia, Eiginio Rodriguez, Raymond Zavala, Lourdes Galvan.

District 7 candidates: Justin Rodriguez, Robert Garibay, Elena Guajardo.

District 6 candidates: Anna Caballero, Ray Lopez. District 8 candidate: Melissa Martinez-Carrasco.

District 8 candidate: Juan Candelario Davila. District 10 candidates: Robert Yanez, Jeff Carruthers.

Candidates vie for Stonewall Dems' support
San Antonio Express-News, March 30, 2009
More than 20 candidates appeared at the candidate forum, which the Stonewall Democrats have been hosting since 2000, to pledge their support for LGBT issues and ask for votes. The group's agenda includes "full and equal civil rights" for LGBT people, domestic partnership benefits to city employees in same-gender relationships, sensitivity training for all employees and a line item in the budget for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention services.

Stonewall endorsements
* Mayor: Julian Castro
* District 1: Chris Forbrich
* District 2: Byron Miller
* District 5: Lourdes Galvan
* District 6: Anna Caballero
* District 7: Elena Guajardo
* District 8: Melissa Martinez-Carrasco
* Districts 3, 4, 9 and 10: None

Stonewall Democrats endorse Julian Castro for Mayor
QSanAntonio.com, March 31, 2009

The Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio hosted 24 candidates running for San Antonio City Council in a three-hour forum held at Kenwood Community Center on March 29. About 75 people attended. Following the forum, which was open to the public, Stonewall members met in closed session to determine which candidates would receive endorsements.

Julian Castro, making his second bid for Mayor, was the solid pick. Lourdes Galvan, City Councilwoman representing District 5, was the only incumbent endorsed by at the forum.

District 7 challenger Christ Forbrich was favored over incumbent Mary Alice Cisneros. The group selected former District 7 Councilwoman Elena Guajardo over sitting Councilman Justin Rodriguez. Forbrich and Guajardo are both members of the Stonewall Democrats.

Melissa Martinez-Carrasco, District 8 candidate, was the only city council hopeful to receive the unanimous support of the Stonewall membership. She drew a strong positive response from the group when she declared, "The United States Constitution does not begin with the words, ‘We the straight people of the United States . . ."

Byron Miller in District 2 and Anna Caballero in District 6 received SDSA backing. No candidates were endorsed in districts 3, 4, 9 or 10.

At its meeting on April 13, the Stonewall’s directors will decide on campaign contributions for those who received endorsements. A city ordinance puts a limit of $500 for contributions to council candidates and $1,000 for mayoral candidates.

Speakers at the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus' biennial conference included Matt Foreman, Jared Polis, Anise Parker and Boyd Richie. (Photos courtesy John Wright, Dallas Voice.)

Texas Stonewall Democrats energized by Austin conference
QSanAntonio.com, March 5, 2009

Stonewall Democrats from nine active Texas chapters assembled in Austin on Feb. 28 and March 1 for their first ever biennial statewide conference. Attendees at the event were treated to keynote speeches from national gay activist Matt Foreman and openly gay Colorado Congressman Jared Polis.

"Many who attended the conference approached me to express gratitude for this experience", said TSDC President Dan Graney, "and that they were leaving energized to carry on the important work of Stonewall Democrats back home".

The conference was timed to occur on the weekend before Equality Texas Lobby Day and many who attended the conference joined hundreds of other GLBT Texans and their straight allies at the State Capitol to speak to state legislators on Monday, Mar. 2.

Organizers say that participants gave the conference high marks on evaluation forms completed at the end of the event. Graney says most expressed a desire for future biennial conferences to be held the weekend before Lobby Day.

In his speech on Saturday, Foreman acknowledged that the GLBT civil rights movement has achieved more gains than any other civil rights movement in the 40 years. He said that while public attitudes have become more accepting of equal rights for GLBT citizens, there has not been much change in people’s minds with many believing homosexuality is morally unacceptable.

Foreman brought many in the audience to tears by challenging GLBT people to "always carry a seething anger" when talking to straight people about their lives and to demand that they be treated as moral equivalents as human beings.

On Sunday, Polis expressed confidence that Congress would be enacting legislation to repeal the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy and to adopt an employment nondiscrimination law that would include transgender persons. He said U.S. citizens in same-sex relationships should have the same immigration rights that allow married persons to get citizenship for their foreign-born spouses. On Saturday night, Polis was feted at a fundraiser at the Parkside Restaurant on Austin’s historic Sixth Street.

Other speakers included Houston City Controller and mayoral candidate Annise Parker, Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez, Dallas County District Clerk Gary Fitzsimmons, Fort Worth City Councilman Joel Burns, Austin City Councilwoman Randi Shade and Travis County Justice of the Peace Susan Steeg. San Antonio City Council candidates Chris Forbrich and Elena Guajardo also spoke.

Additionally, Houston mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Bill White and Justice Linda Yanez of the 13th Court of Appeals stopped by to greet attendees. Other speakers included National Stonewall Democrats executive director Jon Hoadley, Equality Texas executive director Paul Scott and Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie.

Awards were presented to Dallas GLBT activist Jesse Garcia, the Houston Stonewall Young Democrats and Houston State Representative Senfronia Thompson. The conference also included a TSDC Executive Board meeting and workshops on a variety of topics such as building a bigger club and technology tips for clubs.

Ciro Rodriguez non-committal when questioned on "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell"
QSanAntonio.com, October 24

Speaking before the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio’s monthly meeting on October 20, Democratic Congressman Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23rd District) was caught speechless when questioned about his failure to sign on as a co-sponsor for the Military Readiness Enhancement Act that seeks to repeal the anti-gay policy of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell."

It did not help the Congressman’s dilemma that the question was posed by retired Marine sergeant and HRC spokesman Eric Alva.

Congressman Rodriguez’ talk was one of many given by Democratic candidates making one last pitch for votes from Stonewall members before the November 4th election. The mood in the meeting room was one of pre-election elation and bonhomie. About a half-dozen politicians spoke before Congressman Rodriguez, who’s been endorsed by Stonewall, took the floor to make his case for re-election.

The Congressman spoke passionately and garnered several rounds of boisterous applause. He talked about education, veteran’s rights, the border fence, the economy, and Iraq. However, he did not mention any GLBT issues.

‘I’ll look into it"

It was when the floor was opened for questions that Alva stood to ask Rodriguez about "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell."

In March 2003, Alva became the first soldier injured in the Iraq War when he stepped on a landmine resulting in the loss of his right leg part of an index finger. On February 28, 2007, he joined Rep. Marty Meehan, (D-Mass.), in calling for an end to the government’s "Don’t ask, Don’t Tell" policy.

At the invitation of Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.), chair of the personnel subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, Alva again testified before Congress on July 23, 2008.

"Congressman Rodriguez," said Alva, "I think you were in Iraq longer than I was." "I was there three days," said Rodriguez, holding up three fingers. "I was there only three hours," replied Alva, "I was the first soldier injured in the Iraq War and I’m gay."

The Congressman stood there and stared blankly. He did not recognize Alva even though the ex-Marine tells QSanAntonio that he has met with Rodriguez twice to make a pitch for repealing "Don’t Ask."

Alva went on to list four Texas Democratic Congressmen who had co-sponsored the Military Readiness Enhancement Act: Al Green (9th District), Sheila Jackson Lee (18th District), Eddie Jackson (30th District) and Lloyd Doggett (5th District). Alva added that more than 140 in Congress have signed on as co-sponsors for the bill. He then asked Rodriguez why he was not a co-sponsor.

After a long, awkward silence Rodriguez replied that he would "look into it" and added that if the "votes weren’t there," he would not support the legislation. He then quickly went on to other questions.

From liberal to moderate

Many in the room were disappointed with Rodriguez’ response. The Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio and the local chapter of the Human Rights Campaign both strongly supported Rodriguez with money and manpower during his previous run for the 23rd District House seat. As Alva put it, "We don’t want his Republican opponent to win, but the Congressman could have at least been prepared to answer questions relating to GLBT issues."

A September 15, 2008 article in the San Antonio Express-News explains why Congressman Rodriguez may be reticent to address "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" and other GLBT concerns:

Dan Graney, President of the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus and a San Antonio Stonewall member, put it this way: "Since being elected to the 23rd District, Ciro Rodriguez has been AWOL in our community." Graney says he can only conclude that Congressman Rodriguez is hoping to keep a low profile on issues that alienate conservative voters in his district.

Congressman Rodriguez’ relationship with GLBT voters in San Antonio was best summed up when Darrell Parsons, President of the San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce, stood up at the Stonewall meeting and followed up on Alva’s question saying, "Congressman, we’ve endorsed you and helped your campaign. We need you on our issues and we need to see you at our events."

All the Congressman could do is shrug and nod.

Mayor Hardberger pays a call on the Stonewall Democrats
QSanAntonio, March 20, 2007

Mayor Phil Hardberger made an election season visit to the March 19 meeting of the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio where he received a standing ovation and a very warm reception. For his part the Mayor seemed at ease and projected the confidence of a popular incumbent whose re-election to office seems almost certain.

The Mayor’s appearance at the Stonewall meeting was made possible through the efforts of District 7 City Councilwoman Elena Guajardo who was on hand to introduce him to the group. Hardberger had warm words for Guajardo. He commended her for helping him convince the rest of the City Council to get behind a $550 million bond proposal. He called her a "forward thinker" who was "out in front" of the issues.

The rest of Hardberger’s talk dealt mostly with the progress the city has seen under his watch and with the bond proposal that's on the ballot for the May 12 election. The Mayor described how bond money would be used for street and sidewalk repairs, for improved drainage and for new parks. He talked about the $200 million San Antonio Riverwalk extension, the 4.4 percent unemployment rate and the 40,000 new homes that were built last year. He said the city would soon see a new homeless facility, a no-kill animal shelter and a new Federal courthouse.

At the end of his talk Hardberger said that he had a vision of San Antonio as a "humane and non-discriminatory" place -- a "beacon to other cities." He thanked everyone for their support and reminded them to vote for him and the bond proposal. The applause was enthusiastic. Afterwards, Hardberger took questions from the audience.

One of the questions dealt with a 1999 ruling Hardberger made when he was Chief Justice of the 4th Court of Appeals. In that case, Chistie Lee Littleton, a San Antonio transsexual woman who had been legally married to a man in Kentucky, was denied the status of a surviving spouse after her husband's death. Hardberger agreed with 285th District Court Judge Frank Montalvo in his ruling that, because of chromosomal evidence, Littleton’s marriage to Jonathon Littleton was a same-sex marriage and therefore illegal.

In the only tense moment of the evening, Hardberger defended his opinion in the Littleton case by saying that he had followed the rule of law, inferring that it was a clear cut legal decision. However, the Mayor did not offer any clue as to what his personal thoughts on transgender and transsexual rights might be. (Click here for more information about the Littleton case.)

The Stonewall Democrats did not endorse Mayor Hardberger in the previous election and he did not seek their endorsement. According to Dan Graney, ex-officio member of the group’s board of directors, Hardberger indicated that he would fill out the necessary forms so that this year he could be considered for a Stonewall endorsement.

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