Travel Alert: Gays Should Avoid San Antonio, says GetEQUAL TX

Aug 20, 2013
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san antonio riverwalk 300x202 Travel Alert: Gays Should Avoid San Antonio, says GetEQUAL TXTuesday, GetEQUAL TX issued a travel alert, warning LGBT people to avoid San Antonio, Texas. The reason? San Antonio, the seventh largest city in the nation, doesn’t include sexual orientation or gender identity in its non-discrimination policy.

“The rule of law in San Antonio supports discrimination, plain and simple,” added Jennifer Falcon, of GetEQUAL Texas in a Tuesday news release. “Our local officials are dragging their feet, there is no state law to help us, and there are no federal laws in place we can rely on for protection. If the city really wants to welcome all people, they would take action immediately to pass this non-discrimination ordinance and end the fear of discrimination by LGBT travelers to our city.”

The advisory could be supported by the fact that, last week, a staff member of city councilwoman Elisa Chan released a recording in which she called gay people “disgusting.” Chan defended those remarks to San Antonio television station KENS 5:

“The comments from the staff meeting on May 21st were and are my personal opinions and thoughts as guaranteed to me by the 1st amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It is unfortunate that a former member of my D9 Council team betrayed the trust of my staff members and me. I will fight, I will always fight for our freedom of speech, especially in a private setting.”

The San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau released a statement to me Tuesday, in which it said San Antonio embraces diversity.

“San Antonio is a destination that warmly welcomes all visitors, and is a city where everybody belongs. As the number one leisure destination in Texas, we welcome millions on an annual basis and the safety and comfort of all our visitors is a top priority for us. We are a city that treats our residents and visitors with respect and dignity and where diversity is embraced,” said Casandra Matej, Executive Director San Antonio CVB.

The travel advisory expires on Sept. 6, the day after the city council is scheduled to vote on expanding its non-discrimination policy.

Full travel alert below:

TRAVEL ALERT –SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Effective immediately. Expires on September 6, 2013, unless renewed.
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 http://www.glyp.com for a listing of some locations).
  • 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.

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