SAN ANTONIO – There is more fallout over the debate in San Antonio regarding proposed updates to the city's nondiscrimination ordinance, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected categories.
On Tuesday, a Texas group sent out a warning to LGBT travelers planning trips to San Antonio.
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In its travel advisory, GetEQUAL Texas states (in part):
"This alert has been issued based on the fact that San Antonio refuses to pass a non-discrimination ordinance that would protect LGBT travelers from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Although the San Antonio City Council has expressed an interest in revising the city ordinances to prohibit discrimination against LGBT travelers in public accommodations (i.e. hotel stays, restaurant visits, etc.), city officials have repeatedly delayed a vote on the ordinance amendments."
The debate over the proposed ordinance updates picked up steam last week after a secret recording was released. It contained controversial remarks made by Councilwoman Elisa Chan during a May staff meeting. Chan used the words "disgusting" and "crazy" when discussing homosexuality with her staff. Local and national LGBT advocacy groups called for her immediate resignation.
In a written statement released Monday, District 9 Councilwoman Elisa Chan was unapologetic about the remarks:
"The comments from the staff meeting on May 21st were and are my personal opinions and thoughts as guaranteed to me by the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution," the statement read. "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 City Council is expected to vote on the proposed updates to the nondiscrimination ordinance in early September.