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.

Stonewall Democrats expand Board of Directors
QSanAntonio.com, January 23, 2009

The members of Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio voted to add two more members to its Board of Directors to accommodate for the growth of the organization’s membership and activities.

At its Annual Meeting on January 19, SDSA members voted to re-elect Lynne Armstrong and Roberto Flores to a second term as Co-Chairs, re-elected Jeanne Belaire, Bryan Gerard and Olga Hernandez to another term as members-at-large and elected Linda Allen and Margaret "Peg" MacPhail to the two new at-large positions on the Board. The elections of the Co-Chairs and at-large members were all done by acclamation.

The enthusiasm generated by the historic presidential election of 2008 boosted SDSA’s membership to 180 and yielded an increase in financial contributions which enabled the organization to give a record-breaking $10,500 in campaign contributions to state and local candidates.

SDSA continues to be the only GLBT organization in San Antonio that screens and endorses candidates for public office. Of the 35 candidates SDSA endorsed in 2008, 30 won their races in Bexar County.

This year the group will focus on the Mayor and City Council elections that will take place on May 9. Candidates will begin filing for those offices on February 5. SDSA will host a Candidate Forum and Endorsement Meeting sometime in March and will invite candidates for mayor and city council to meet with our members.

Jade Esteban Estrada interviews Dan Graney
YouTube, Posted to QSanAntonio.com on November 22

San Antonio actor and comedian Jade Esteban Estrada interviewed Dan Graney, President of the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus and a San Antonio Stonewall member, as part of Esteban’s "Open Mike Thursdays." The outrageously coiffed Estrada tried his best to bring comic relief to the serious topic of Presidential politics. Graney, one of the most politically savvy people in San Antonio, should be congratulated for keeping a straight face during the proceedings.

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.

Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio Third Annual Awards Banquet
September 5, 2008, The El Tropicano Hotel

Linda Yanez, candidate for Texas Supreme Court, Place 8 was the keynote speaker. Other speakers included Jon Hoadley, the Executive Director of the National Stonewall Democrats and Annise Parker, the openly lesbian Houston City Controller. The evening was emceed by Stonewall member Judge Monica Guerrero of the Bexar County Court at Law No. 7.

The Political Advocacy Award was presented to Judge Barbara Nellermoe of the 45th District Court of Bexar County. Awards were also given to Eric Alva (Community Leadership), James Poindexter (Community Leadership), Linda Allen (Volunteer Appreciation Award) and Phillip Barcena (Community Leadership).

Stonewall Dems banquet roused by election year politics
QSanAntonio.com, September 7

The Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio held their Third Annual Awards Banquet on September 6 at the El Tropicano Hotel. About 170 people attended the event where awards were presented to local activists who are advancing the cause of GLBT equality.

As with the past two years, the event included many politicians and candidates who are running for office. With a presidential election looming, the speakers' rhetoric was especially energized this year with most mentioning the need to educate voters about the perils of a victory by the McCain/Palin ticket.

Keynote speaker, Linda Yanez, a candidate for the Texas Supreme Court, gave a smart and thoughtful speech detailing her humble beginnings in South Texas and her rise to becoming a role model for young women and Hispanics across the country. Yanez made a strong case for her election to the Texas Supreme Court where Republican judges have long been criticized for their judicial favoritism to corporations, including those which donate money to their campaigns.

Boyd Richie, Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, spoke to just over 100 people at the August 18 meeting of the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio. After the talk Richie mingled with audience members who included Frances Carnot, candidate for State Representative District 122 (center photo) and Nancy Russell (right photo).

Chairman of Texas Democratic Party speaks at Stonewall meeting
QSanAntonio, August 1, 2008

Boyd Richie, Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, spoke to just over 100 people at the August 18 meeting of the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio. About 20 of those in attendance were incumbents or candidates for office.

For the most part Richie’s talk was designed to rally the troops for the upcoming November election. However, he did not fail to address issues that were important to the mostly GLBT audience.

Richie complimented the Stonewall Democrats as one of the most active Democrat organizations in the state. He said that the group excelled when it came to organization, fundraising and volunteerism adding that he believed Stonewall would have a positive impact on the future of the State of Texas.

When asked about same sex marriage in Texas, Richie said that as an officer of the court it was his responsibility to uphold the state constitution that was recently amended to define marriage as a union of one man and one woman. However, Richie said that personally he felt the amendment was "an abomination." Rather than expand the rights of citizens, he said, it compresses the rights of one group of citizens.

Richie also spoke in favor of gays adopting foster children saying that the State should not be left to define what constitutes a family.

In terms of Texas politics, Richie told the group that no Republican seat in the Texas Legislature is safe. He said that only 5 more seats were needed for the Democrats to have a majority in the State House. He also pointed out that some of the most important races are among judicial nominees. The Texas Supreme Court, in Richie’s view, needs to restore the public trust and eradicate the "Justice for Sale" mentality that has tainted its reputation under Republican leadership.

S.A. activist elected President of Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus
QSanAntonio, June 10, 2008

Over 500 delegates and alternates at the Texas Democratic Convention attended the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus on June 6 in Austin and elected Daniel Graney their new President. Graney is a former co-chair of Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio and a long-time queer political activist. He succeeds Shannon Bailey of Dallas in the position.

Graney pledged to be a strong voice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Texans and to build coalitions with other minority groups within the Democratic Party.

Teresa Herrin of Houston was elected Vice President and Kaye Gooch of Dallas was elected Secretary. Al Daniels of Dallas was re-elected to a fifth term as Treasurer.

As the official LGBT caucus of the Texas Democratic Party, the TSDC promotes equal rights for LGBT persons through grass-roots involvement in Democratic Party politics. As a result of their elections, both Graney and Herrin will become members of the State Democratic Executive Committee, the governing body of the Texas Democratic Party.

The TSDC is affiliated with National Stonewall Democrats and its Executive Board includes leaders from at least ten chapters of Stonewall Democrats in Texas.

For the first time in history, voters who participated in Texas Democratic Primary caucuses this Spring were given the option of self-identifying as LGBT to comply with national Democratic Party affirmative action goals that included LGBT. There were over 525 LGBT delegates and alternates at the state convention the weekend of June 6 and 7. At least 15 of the 228 Texas delegates who will be attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver will be LGBT.

Although a majority of LGBT delegates to the State Party convention were committed to Hillary Clinton as their presidential preference, most will now unite behind Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee for President.

Assistant SAPD Chief addresses Stonewall Dems
QSanAntonio, May 2, 2008

Newly appointed Assistant Police Chief Geraldine Garcia addressed the members of the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio at their monthly meeting on May 19. Her appearance comes on the heels of her promotion in April, making her the first woman to hold such a high rank in the San Antonio Police Department.

Garcia replaced former Assistant Chief Rudy Gonzales who was demoted as a result of alleged relationships with a prostitute and a cocaine trafficking suspect, and amid allegations that he used his position to gain entrance to a sold-out Final Four basketball game for free.

Assistant Chief Garcia joined the SAPD in 1982, and previously served as Deputy Chief of the Services & Support Division since 2006. In an article in the San Antonio Express-News announcing her promotion, Police Chief William McManus said of Garcia, "It's a very monumental thing for her to have accomplished, but she has proven herself over and over again." Garcia holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education from Wayland Baptist University, as well as a Master of Science in Justice Policy from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

At her appearance before Stonewall members, dressed in her police uniform, the Assistant Chief revealed herself to be a soft-spoken mother of two who believes that peace in the community comes from "restraint and respect." "We are all individuals and none of us wants to be mistreated," she said.

To prepare for her Stonewall appearance, Garcia says she did a bit of research about the 1968 Stonewall riots and the Stonewall Democrats and dutifully recounted to the group what she had learned. While not yet fully conversant with local GLBT concerns, the Assistant Chief was receptive to the group’s questions and comments.

Garcia was happy to discuss diversity training for seasoned officers, the incarceration of transgender individuals with the general jail population, and the merger of the Park Police into the SAPD. While she had no concrete solutions, she took notes and promised to follow up on all of the concerns voiced by Stonewall members.

Most significantly, Assistant Chief Garcia said that thanks to Police Chief William McManus, she represented the "new face of the SAPD," where diversity seems to be the order of the day.

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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