Update: It looks like if the ordinance passes (unless the changes they are making include this section), Chan has
effectively removed herself from being appointed to any city board or
commission.
From MediaMatters a couple of weeks ago:
Ordinance Would Add Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity To Current Non-Discrimination Law.
San Antonio's current non-discrimination policy already allows city
council members to consider prior bias when making appointments.
According to Article 1, Section 2-8 of San Antonio's Code of Ordinances:
Sec. 2-9. Policy governing appointment of persons
demonstrating bias on basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age
or handicap.
No person shall be appointed to a position if the council finds that
such person has, prior to such proposed appointment, engaged in
discrimination or demonstrated a bias, by word or deed, against any
person, group or organization on the basis of race, religion, national
origin, sex, age, or handicap. No appointed official or member of a
board or commission, shall engage in discrimination or demonstrate a
bias, by word or deed, against any person, group of persons, or
organization on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age,
or handicap, while serving in such public position. Violation of this
standard shall be considered malfeasance in office, and the council
shall be authorized to take action as provided by law to remove the
offending person from office. [San Antonio City Code, accessed 8/2/13]
I would say that Chan has demonstrated a definite bias against sexual orientation and gender identity.
After taking a moment to enjoy the schadenfreude with Councilwoman Elisa Chan, I have a question: Can a Homophobe be Mayor of the 7th Largest City in the United States?
As Brian Chasnoff
notes in his article in the Express-News:
Reached at City Hall on Thursday, Chan wouldn't confirm a rumor that she plans to run for mayor in 2015.
It's been assumed that Chan will carry the conservative banner if and when she runs for mayor.
After this tape however, the question becomes can you be anti-gay and still be mayor?
If you haven't listened to the tape, go listen.
One of the aides suggests playing to her base if you run in the Republican primary. Could Chan be thinking of something other than mayor? Like a primary race against State Rep. Lyle Larson?
As we have seen, you can definitely be anti-gay and win a Republican primary.
