San Antonio Gay Community Reacts to Supreme Court Decision
News9,
June 26, 2003
San Antonio, Texas
In a six to three vote, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned
a long standing ban in Texas against gay sex.
The landmark decision ruled laws against sodomy were an
unconstitutional violation of privacy.
Several local members of the gay community reacted
strongly to the news.
“The victors today are not only the members of the gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, but all adults throughout the
nation engaged in legal and consensual relationships,” Director of Gay and
Lesbian Community Center Martin Herrera said.
For Herrera, this is a moment to celebrate and look
ahead.
Herrera chose to publicly voice his feelings against
discrimination. He was joined on the steps of City Hall by other members of
the San Antonio gay and lesbian community. They applauded the Supreme
Court’s decision to overturn laws that prohibit gay sex in Texas.
“The Supreme Court has done the right thing, but we can
not end here—we need to go forward,” Esperanza Center board member Michael
Marienz said.
Herrera knows discrimination well. He moved to San
Antonio from Los Angeles while he was still a member of the army. At the time,
he chose to keep his sexual identity hidden.
After suffering an injury, Herrera was medically
discharged from the army. He turned to his faith for inspiration.
“I have a belief in God and I know there are trials
here on earth and it’s not an easy walk,” Herrera said. “I just look at
it as my personal trials that I have to go through as a person here on
earth.”
Herrera began offering his support to other gays and
lesbians in the community.
He is now a counselor for people who are trying to come
to terms with their sexuality.
Herrera is hoping the court ruling will shed new light on
the public’s perception of gay people. He believes the jurisdiction of
government should end at the bedroom door.
“It is a matter of equal liberty,” Herrera said.
“Just as it has won today, will it win tomorrow.”
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