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AUDIO: San Antonio Officials Hate Gays, LGBT Travel Alert Issued
After San Antonio officials balked at passing a citywide antidiscrimination ordinance and city leaders were recorded describing gay people as "disgusting" sinners, an advocacy group issued a travel alert for LGBT visitors to the city.
San Antonio has continued to postpone a vote on an ordinance banning anti-LGBT discrimination in public accommodation and employment. While some officials say a vote on the matter will happen September 3, local gay activists are skeptical thanks to secretly taped recordings of city officials lambasting their gay citizens. "Disgusting" is how City Council member Elisa Chan described gay people in a private meeting. She also says gays should not be allowed to adopt children. Another official is heard comparing same-sex relations to incest and bestiality. Listen below.
The LGBT advocacy group GetEqual Texas wants to warn travelers that San Antonio, which bills itself as a prime travel destination, is not welcoming to LGBT visitors. Read its alert below:
GetEQUAL TX alerts those traveling to San Antonio, Texas, of a continued risk of discrimination based upon sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The City of San Antonio does not currently protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender ("LGBT") people from being legally ejected from their hotel rooms or other places of public accommodation. Although city officials are attempting to correct the issue for LGBT travelers, hundreds have appeared on the streets in front of council demanding that such discrimination discontinue.
Additionally, those supporting discrimination have been seen screaming obscenities and derogatory slurs in the faces of LGBT people on the streets of San Antonio. These opponents of equality have targeted LGBT people at and near City Hall, and within various city parks.
Those who are required to travel to San Antonio are encouraged to take the following precautions:
Avoid traveling alone in the city.
Only book travel at hotels which have policies prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Visit only known LGBT-friendly establishments, including restaurants, bars and venues (see https://www.glyp.com
Be aware of your surroundings and adopt other appropriate safety measures to protect yourself while traveling.
If you experience discrimination while visiting San Antonio, please report it to GetEQUAL TX’s discrimination hotline at 707-992-LGBT (5428).
GetEQUAL TX will continue to work closely with the City Council to protect all persons within the city from discrimination. Information is routinely shared between GetEQUAL TX and our key partners in order to end discrimination within the city by identifying and taking action against those promoting, encouraging, and engaging in discriminatory behavior. To help us in this endeavor, please feel free contact us at info@getequaltx.org with reports of discrimination.
