Where Pegasus is now, there was a gas station and there were homes across the street,” Hernandez said.
“It wasn’t called ‘The Strip’ back then, and it was dark and quiet. Living as a gay man when most of the city still disapproved, he said the area provided an outlet to express and experience an emerging gay culture in San Antonio. It validates us, and makes us welcome where we weren’t before.”Ĭhuck Hernandez, a San Antonio business owner, has visited the bars on North Main off and on since 1978. Today is incredible, and we’re surrounded by those that support us. On the sidewalk outside Luther’s, Cristela Treviño told me what the day’s Supreme Court decision meant to her: “I didn’t think it would happen this year, but I hoped it would happen in my lifetime. This finally affirms what they’ve been doing.”Ĭars slowed and honked as they passed, sharing in the revelry for a small moment. Family is something that this city is centered around, and there are so many families that have had to deal with being viewed as not being ‘real’ families, even though in their own lives they have been and are. San Antonio leads the nation in kids being raised in same-sex households. “For many of us, it was expected, but when the day finally came, I was especially excited for the kids. Diego Bernal (D-123) embraces Di Galvan, director of communication for the City of San Antonio.
“It was a great day for people who I care about to be free and to express themselves.” The crowd roared its approval as rainbow flags flapped in the dusky sun.