A Call To Act Before September 15! Support Domestic Partner Benefits in S.A.

by Richard Farias | Published Online on September 07, 2011

Friends, we have much to be thankful for, but as we all know, there is always MUCH work on the road to equality. Sheryl Sculley, City Manager of San Antonio (and a past ignite Leading Lady!), has included domestic-partnership benefits for city employees as part of the new proposed city budget. The coverage would include both same sex and opposite sex domestic partners. According to Mayor Julian Castro's remarks to one local news station, this step is long overdue: "There aren't any second class citizens in San Antonio. Austin has this, Dallas has this. I believe El Paso has this. Most of the big companies in San Antonio have had this for years."

However, the budget is not yet a done deal. This proposed City Budget will be discussed intensively and must come to a vote before the Mayor and Councilmembers on September 15, 2011. The new city budget will go into effect on October 1, 2011. It is imperative that progressive minds advocate and for its passage prior to September 15th! I'm asking you to do the following:

• Email the City Manager at www.citymanager@sanantonio.gov or call her office at 207-7080 to say thank you for recognizing domestic partnerships.
• Email or call the Mayor and your Councilperson (below) to ask for their support. If you are unsure who your Councilmember is, visit www.ci.sat.tx.us/council/.
• Spread the word to your friends to take action.
• Attend City Council on September 15 to show your support.

Mayor Julian Castro 207-7107 mayorjuliancastro@sanantonio.gov
District 1 Diego M. Bernal 207-7279 district1@sanantonio.gov
District 2 Ivy R. Taylor 207-7278 district2@sanantonio.gov
District 3 Jennifer V. Ramos 207-7064 district3@sanantonio.gov
District 4 Rey Saldana 207-7281 district4@sanantonio.gov
District 5 David Medina, Jr. 207-7043 district5@sanantonio.gov
District 6 Ray Lopez 207-7065 district6@sanantonio.gov
District 7 Cris Medina 207-7044 district7@sanantonio.gov
District 8 W. Reed Williams 207-7086 district8@sanantonio.gov
District 9 Elisa Chan 207-7325 district9@sanantonio.gov
District 10 Carlton Soules 207-7276 district10@sanantonio.gov

All it takes is a call or an email, San Antonio!

Richard Farias
Editor
editor@igniteisonline.com

This article appeared in the September 2011 of ignite Magazine.