U.S. census and other surveys likely undercount the number of LGBTQ+ people living in Texas
Some queer Texans may fear disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity to neighbors or the government. The lack of accurate numbers makes it more difficult to provide appropriate health care, especially in rural areas.
Veto overridden: Ban on gender-affirming care for minors takes effect in North Carolina
Transgender youth in North Carolina have lost access to gender-affirming treatments after the state’s Republican-controlled General Assembly voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of that legislation and others involving gender in sports and LGBTQ classroom instruction.
Japan's top court says government restrictions on transgender employee's use of restrooms illegal
Japan’s Supreme Court has ruled that restrictions imposed by a government ministry on a transgender female employee’s use of restrooms at her workplace are illegal, in a landmark decision that could promote LGBTQ+ rights in a country without legal protections for them.
North Carolina governor vetoes trio of LGBTQ+ restrictions in ongoing fight with GOP supermajority
North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed a trio of bills aimed at LGBTQ+ youth that would restrict gender-affirming health care and sports participation for transgender minors and limit classroom instruction about gender identity and sexuality.
Twenty years after a breakthrough Texas case launched a new era of gay rights, trans people are still in the fight
The U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for major civil rights victories for queer Americans in the 2003 decision that decriminalized homosexuality. But progress for LGBTQ+ people has been uneven.
SOUTH TEXAS PRIDE PODCAST: Queerency offers the latest on money moves in LGBTQ+ economy
Travers Johnson, founder and CEO of Queerency, joined the South Texas Pride Podcast to discuss how his publication offers the latest coverage on money moves in the LGBTQ+ economy. He also talked about the 2023 Corporate Pride Tracker and the Big Book of Queer Business.
Twitter worst among major social media platforms when it comes to LGBTQ safety, GLAAD says
All major social media platforms do poorly at protecting LGBTQ+ users from hate speech and harassment — especially those who are transgender, non-binary or gender non-conforming, the advocacy group GLAAD said on Thursday.
SOUTH TEXAS PRIDE PODCAST: DEI growth leader discusses expanding queer visibility in workplace, growth strategies
Blue Flores -- a growth-to-market advisor, digital nomad and DEI growth leader -- joined the South Texas Pride Podcast to discuss challenges and efforts to expand queer visibility in the workplace, as well as personal growth strategies.
Lower house of Japan's parliament passes bill to promote LGBTQ+ awareness, but not guarantee rights
The powerful lower house of Japan’s parliament has passed a bill to promote awareness of LGBTQ+ issues amid protests by activists that last-minute revisions by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s conservative party favored opponents of sexual equality instead of guaranteeing equal rights.
SOUTH TEXAS PRIDE PODCAST: Comedian AJ Rivas shares social media origins, how life changed after going viral
Digital creator, influencer, and comedian A.J. Rivas joined this week’s South Texas Pride Podcast to discuss his social media origins, how his life changed after going viral, and his upcoming Pride comedy show.
As conservatives target schools, LGBTQ+ kids and students of color feel less safe
As politicians and activists push for limits on discussions of race, gender and sexuality, some students say the measures targeting aspects of their identity have made them less welcome in American schools — the one place all kids are supposed to feel safe.
Pride on the Eastside Festival provides community with HIV educational awareness, resources
Part of Pride Month is having difficult conversations about LGBTQ+ issues and replacing negative stigmas with educational awareness. The Pride on the Eastside Festival did just that in a fun and empowering way on Saturday.
LGBTQ+ Pride month kicks off with protests, parades, parties
The start of June marks the beginning of Pride month around the United States and some parts of the world, a season to celebrate the lives and experiences of LGBTQ+ people and to protest against the recent rollback of hard-won civil rights gains.
FDA drops restrictions that prevented gay, bisexual men from donating blood
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced this month that it was dropping restrictions that have kept gay and bisexual men on the sidelines for years. The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center hopes the new FDA guidelines will bring in new donors.
‘We’re breaking the stigma and finally talking about it’: Nearly half of San Antonio teens polled report feeling helpless, survey says
A mental health survey conducted in San Antonio found nearly 50% of people ages 12 to 19 are experiencing mental health issues. The survey found an even higher rate of mental health issues among LGBTQ+ and gender diverse youth.
A look back: Best of South Texas Pride in 2021
In late 2021, KSAT revamped the South Texas Pride series to bring viewers more long-form content full-length Q&As. We highlighted some stories that made a difference to the local LGBTQ+ community, as well as state, national and even international communities.
South Texas Pride Q&A: San Antonio native Ada Vox thrusts back into national spotlight on ‘Queen of the Universe’ competition
San Antonio native Ada Vox is once again thrusting into the spotlight to showcase her singing chops in the new Paramount+ competition “Queen of the Universe,” which premieres Dec. 2.
South Texas Pride Q&A: Pride Center San Antonio offers mental health services, resources to LGBTQ+ community members, families
Pride Center San Antonio is offering mental health services and other resources to LGBTQ+ community members seeking help. Watch this week's South Texas Pride Q&A to learn more.
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State agency removed online resources for LGBTQ youth after complaints from a Republican challenging Gov. Greg Abbott, emails show
Democratic state senators want the webpage reinstated. The resources were removed after Don Huffines, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, criticized their inclusion on a state website.
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KSAT 12 only Texas TV station to receive ‘excellent’ rating in GLAAD’s Local Media Accountability Index for 2021
KSAT 12 is one of three Texas media outlets and the only TV station to receive an “excellent” rating in the latest report from GLAAD, a national media monitoring organization that works against discrimination of the LGBTQ+ community.
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Texas sues Biden administration over guidance saying transgender workers can use bathroom of their choice
A federal document also says that misusing a person’s preferred pronouns could be considered harassment in some instances. Texas Republican officials have tried to pass state laws targeting transgender people’s access to bathrooms and school sports teams.
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Baylor University stirs anger and confusion as it opens the door for first LGBTQ student group
The decision to openly consider recognizing an LGBTQ group while simultaneously affirming the university's belief that marriage is between a man and a woman raised concerns among supporters and opponents who say Baylor is trying to "have its cake and eat it, too."
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Pride Center offers new free group therapy for LGBTQ youth of color, Spanish speakers
The free program will cater to young people of color and Spanish speakers in the queer community. Salcido stayed true to himself, eventually becoming the executive director of the Pride Center of San Antonio. However, the second pilot counseling group, which is for adults 18 and older who speak Spanish, still has spots available. AdThe Pride Center will use research done during these eight-week counseling sessions to mold more group counseling programs for the future. To sign up for the Spanish speaking group, head to the Pride Center website’s group therapy page.
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‘People saw her as a matriarch’: San Antonio woman leaves lasting legacy as LGBTQ+ pioneer
SAN ANTONIO – Many would call Nickie Valdez an inspiration to others. She said Nickie was one of the first openly gay women in San Antonio. In the 1970′s she co-founded Dignity San Antonio, one of the longest running LGBTQ+ organizations in the city. She was passionate about her community and that was evidenced by her steadfast support of many LGBTQ+ organizations, causes, and initiatives. Pride Center San Antonio celebrates her life and share our condolences with her family, friends, and her partner Deb”.
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‘Shimi was my role model’: Community mourns beloved performance artist, LGBTQ+ social justice champion
Messages of love poured in on social media after her friend and longtime neighbor Cherise Rohr Allegrini announced her passing. Her beauty, her grace, her spirit, her bad-ass woman, her fight for social justice, for art, for women, for people of color, for righteousness,” Rohr Allegrini wrote on Facebook. Rohr Allegrini met S.T. She spoke her mind, even when it was hard to hear, but then you wanted more,” Rohr Allegrini said. Her support and encouragement, her teaching about intersectionality and how to incorporate that into art was impactful,” Rohr Allegrini said.
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Texas social workers will no longer be allowed to discriminate against LGBTQ Texans and people with disabilities
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council voted unanimously to restore protections for LGBTQ and disabled clients to Texas social workers’ code of conduct just two weeks after removing them. The governor’s office recommended removing language that prohibited social workers from turning away clients on the basis of disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. That set off an immediate firestorm of criticism from social workers, LGBTQ advocates and advocates for people with disabilities. "We are so grateful for the vote to keep the anti-discrimination protections in place," said Will Francis, executive director of the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. "This is a recognition of the key principle that a social worker’s personal beliefs must never impede a person’s right to self-determination or access to services."
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‘Our rights are at risk’: Texas rule allowing social workers to turn away LGBTQ+ clients, people with disabilities draws criticism
SAN ANTONIO – A change in policies has led to criticism of the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners after it announced Monday that social workers will now be able to turn away LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. According to the state’s current law, a social worker can face disciplinary action if they refuse services to clients based on religion, race or age. While these changes reflect the agency’s duty to duly enacted statutes, the Board and Council recognize the importance of legal protection from discrimination. Brown also serves as a licensed social worker. Brown said she believes social work is about adapting to others' needs, and refusing to help is detrimental.
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Show us your Pride to celebrate National Coming Out Day
Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day, and for many LGBTQ+ Americans, there are many reasons to celebrate their Pride. National Coming Out Day has been celebrated for 32 years now, and it’s an important reminder on just how far the queer community has come since earlier times. There was an entire generation of LGBTQ Americans who had live inside the closet because of laws and discrimination. So if you’re proud to be out and want it to shout it from the rooftops, tell us about it below! If you have advice for people still in the closet struggling with their identity, maybe offer some advice, and tell us how your life has improved since coming out.
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Oreo is giving away 10,000 packs of rainbow cookies. Here’s how to get yours
We’re PROUD to announce the first-ever Rainbow OREO Cookies made in honor of our partnership with @PFLAG 🏳️🌈 Join our #ProudParent campaign and you could snag a pack of Rainbow OREO Cookies! pic.twitter.com/Sg5U6Q7sTb — OREO Cookie (@Oreo) October 9, 2020These rainbow Oreo cookies could be yours, here’s how the company said you can get the cookies:“Join OUR #ProudParent campaign and share a photo of what allyship means to you. Don’t forget to follow @OREO too.”Here’s how:1️⃣ Join OUR #ProudParent campaign and share a photo of what allyship means to you. Don’t forget to follow @OREO too. — OREO Cookie (@Oreo) October 9, 2020According to the company, 10,000 “rewards” will be made available to participants throughout the contest, which ends Oct. 31 or when all of the rewards are claimed.
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Pride Month events in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO – In recognition of Pride Month, several events are happening around the Alamo City to celebrate the LGBTQ community. Central LibraryThe Central Library is featuring the “Out and Proud in San Antonio: Pride Celebrations across the Years,” exhibit until July 31 in the Chihuly area. Pride Center San Antonio Icon BrunchPride Center San Antonio will host its first Icon Brunch on June 23. LGBTQ Ally Pride MixerThe Pride Center San Antonio and PFLAG San Antonio will host an LGBTQ Ally Pride Mixer from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 28 at the Pride Center, located at 1303 McCullough Ave., Suite 160. Pride Bigger Than Texas Festival and ParadePride San Antonio will host the annual Pride Bigger than Texas Festival and Parade on June 29.