March 31, 2020 

 

*potentially longer if COVID-19 continues to spread 

 

 

¡STAY HOME SAN ANTONIO! 

 

 

Beloved Members of the LGBTQIA Community, 

 

We, the undersigned, as community members and organizations of and for the LGBTQIA Community, recognize that 

 

1) on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, advising countries to take extraordinary measures to contain the spread of this potentially deadly virus; 

 

2) on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic with devastating impact around the globe; 

 

3) on March 16, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance that all persons should avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people; 

 

4) on March 19, 2020, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a public heath disaster in Texas, calling for the closure of all bars, restaurants, and gyms throughout the state and prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people. 

 

5) on March 23, 2020, Ron Nirenberg, the Mayor of San Antonio, in Bexar County, Texas, issued Public Health Emergency Order No. 5, with the specific order to stay at home through April 9, 2020. 

 

6) Additionally, on March 23, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff issued Executive Order NW-03, directing all persons within incorporated and unincorporated Bexar County to stay home to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This order, unless otherwise noted, is effective through April 9, 2020. 

 

7) on March 25, 2020, the San Antonio Metro Health District confirmed 84 cases of COVID-19 and 3 deaths from COVID-19. 

 

8) On March 30, 2020, San Antonio Metro Health District confirmed 168 cases of COVID-19 and 5 deaths from this virus. 89 of those cases were travel related while 57 were community transmission. The death rate increased by 1 for a total of 6 deaths. 

 

 

While local, regional, and state leaders have implemented measures to promote and protect our public health, we must take a lesson from the history of our community when confronted with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. We must work with that knowledge until we know more. What we do know is that – 

 

• COVID-19 is a virus that is fast-spreading and highly transmittable, mostly by close contact with others and through touch 

 

• There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19. There is no CURE! 

 

• Our own immune system has no natural anti-bodies to fight COVID-19 

 

• Currently, testing is very limited 

 

• Our local health care system will be severely challenged, even overwhelmed, to meet the needs of those who contract COVID-19 in addition to the needs of all other patients without COVID-19 who will require medical care 

 

• Older adults and those with compromised immune systems are among the highest risk and will have special challenges recovering from the virus 

 

• Although there is no specific data available to accurately assess the risk COVID-19 presents to individuals with HIV/AIDS, it is an underling condition that is in the higher risk category for severe illness. 

 

• COVID-19 can kill you by making it increasingly difficult to breath 

 

• Social/physical distancing and self-quarantine works and is currently the only steps we can take to protect ourselves! 

 

 

We implore you to follow the guidelines of medical professionals and the Public Health Emergency Orders through April 9, 2020. There is much we don’t know about this virus. But what we do know, we must use to make the best decisions for our community. This is our call to save livelihoods and lives. 

 

So please, take these steps to promote our health and well-being. 

 

• Stay at home. If you do not live with the person, do not visit. 

 

• Do not gather in groups of 10 or more 

 

• Practice social/physical distancing 

 

• When out in public, maintain a distance of at least six feet 

 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds 

 

• If you do not have soap, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% alcohol is recommended) 

 

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands 

 

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. 

 

• Avoid contact with people who are ill or have symptoms such as a high temperature, cough, or shortness of breath 

 

• Stay home when you feel sick, including not going to work 

 

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces 

 

 

Signed by- 

Ad Hoc Lead Group 

Maria Salazar, President, Orgüllo de San Antonio, LGBTQIA LULAC Council, #22198 

Robert Salcido, Executive Director, The Center – Pride Center San Antonio 

Brad Veloz, Anel Flores, & Rev. Naomi Brown, LMSW, Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee 

Andrea Figueroa, Executive Director, Martinez Street Women’s Center 

Dr. Erik Rodriquez, President, LULAC Lambda, LGBTQ LULAC Council, #11125 

Jorge Estevez, Direct Action Network San Antonio 

Carlos Soto, Community Organizer 

 

Chad Reumann, Regional Director, PGLAG Southern Region 

Graciela Sanchez, Executive Director, Esperanza Peace and Justice Center 

James Poindexter, Secretary/Parade Director, Pride San Antonio Inc. 

Kimberly Anderson, President, PFLAG San Antonio, 

David Laidbacker-Luna, President, Fiesta Youth 

Gregory Casillas, Life Skills Program Manager, Thrive Youth Center 

Carlos Carmona, Board of Directors, San Antonio Aids Foundation 

Mara Posada, Director of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood South Texas

Marc Hernandez, Living Positive 

Mary Helen, Mujeres Unidas 

Olivia Youngblood, Founder Queer Diaries 

Vanessa Rodriguez, founder Social Donations 

H. Drew Galloway, MOVE Texas 

Erika Gonzalez and Rebel Mariposa at MangoLuna 

Jennifer Falcon, Direct Action Network San Antonio 

David Jordan Cisneros, Direct Action Network San Antonio 

The Center – Pride Center San Antonio 

Emperor & Empress 28, Alamo Empire

Equality Texas 

San Antonio Stonewall Democrats 

Pride Caucus of Bexar County Democratic 

Orgüllo de San Antonio, LGBTQ+ LULAC Council, #22198 

Trans Power SA 

NAGLREP San Antonio 

Binders for Brothers SA 

SA Trans Brothers 

Society for the Study of Gloria E. Anzaldua 

San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce 

Queer Voices Speak Out

 

Rudy Rosales, Texas State LULAC Director 

Maria Salazar, Attorney & Community Activist 

Jamie Zapata

Dr. Norma Cantu 

Marisa Gonzalez, Community Organizer 

Agosto Cuellar, Designer 

Melissa Ochoa

Azul Barrientos, Musician 

 

Anel Flores, A&N Flores 

Mike Rendon, Mike’s Hair Lounge 

Rebel Mariposa, La Botanica

Alex Galindo-Cantu, Salud Fitness 

Movement Mortgage, Irene Galindo-Cantu 

Sweet Chelas, Maricela Olguin 

Very That, Cristina Martinez