Thereafter, in December of 1845, the United States Congress approved the Texas State Constitution, making Texas an official part of the United States. Eventually, Mexican settlers also came to the area, and San Antonio was for a time a Mexican republic until the battle of the Alamo and other historical events which eventually led to Texan independence. The area that is now San Antonio was initially settled by the Spanish in the 18 th century. Truly, there is something in San Antonio for everyone! It offers beautiful outdoor areas to explore, many historical attractions, eclectic dining and vibrant nightlife, and a diverse, multi-cultural mix of people and neighborhoods. San Antonio is also known for being one of the most gay-friendly cities in Texas. As she salsa dances past my table to Thalia’s Amor a la Mexicana, I look around at the audience, clapping and singing along, and see a community that has mastered the art of being seen-no matter how small or large the stage.As the oldest city in Texas, and certainly, one of the most beautiful, San Antonio is a sunny southwestern town with a long and rich history, blended with a modern, progressive, and forward-thinking vibe. Back at the Pegasus, Tonica Cavalli, Miss Gay Texas 2022, is in the spotlight, resplendent in head-to-hip nude sequins.
Until the legislation catches up to San Antonio’s progressive spirit, its LGBTQ+ residents continue to find ways to share their experience. “We have these blue dots in Texas,” says Kennedy “But when they’re surrounded by a red environment, the impact of conservative evangelicalism and an overwhelmingly white, rural Christian culture bleeds into how you view and what schools teach you about yourself.” Medical services are so lacking for trans people that many wait six months or more, or else travel to Austin, for gender-affirming care. Still, Maddie Kennedy, Thrive’s director of community affairs/development, tells me, “Statewide barriers exist that we can’t overcome.” For example, changing a name or gender marker is costly and time consuming within the state. On June 18, for the first time, the city’s tourism department will host a Pride parade and festival front and center on the city’s iconic Riverwalk. Down the street, Luther’s stages a variety of shows, including an all-ages drag brunch on Sunday.įiesta itself has spawned nearly a dozen gay-run or -friendly events, paving the way for Pride San Antonio, a weeklong community celebration in June, as well as October’s San Antonio LGBT International Film Festival. Besides the Pegasus, the city’s gay bars include longtime dance club the Bonham Exchange, and Sparky’s Pub, an English-style tavern beloved for its happy-hour drink specials. While many of the original clubs from the 1970s have closed or changed hands, LGBTQ+ culture has flourished. Five years later, it installed the most visible expression of its support for the community: the Rainbow Crosswalk, at the intersection of Evergreen Street and Main Avenue, in the heart of the LGBTQ+ district. In 2013, the city passed a landmark nondiscrimination ordinance that aligned its policies with those of Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston.
One-third of those age 16 to 24 identify as transgender, nonbinary, or nonconforming. Thirty-six percent identify as bisexual or pansexual, 30 percent as gay, and 19 percent as lesbian. According to a 2020 report co-authored by Stone, San Antonio has a growing population of racially diverse, primarily Latino, LGBTQ+ residents. The LGBTQ+ community has grown by leaps and bounds since Nixx first made a splash on the pageant and drag circuit.