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Public commenter denounces LGBTQ+ advisory appointment; council members defend reappointment
Summary
A public commenter criticized the reappointment of Antonio Gonzalez Martinez to the city’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, calling the appointment inconsistent with his religious views; councilmembers responded with public defenses of the appointee and appeals for inclusion, and the appointment was confirmed as part of the consent agenda.
A public speaker used the council’s public-comment period to oppose the reappointment of Antonio Gonzalez Martinez to San Antonio’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, prompting multiple councilmembers to defend the appointee from the dais.
Jack M. Finger, identified himself during public comment and addressed agenda item 13. Finger said he researched the advisory board’s mission but accused the council of contradicting the invocation and religious teachings by reappointing Mr. Gonzalez Martinez. “I looked at the church catechism ... it says that homosexuality is a grave depravity. It is an abomination,” Finger said, calling the appointment inconsistent with what he described as Christian teachings and criticizing Council member Mark White for making the appointment.
Several councilmembers responded directly from the dais. Councilman McKee Rodriguez said he would not “let hate go unchecked” and urged the chamber to choose inclusion. “I would definitely encourage you to continue to read more of the bible rather than selected passages ... I encourage all to choose love,” he said in defense of the appointee and of the council’s decision to reappoint Antonio Gonzalez Martinez.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones invited Antonio Gonzalez Martinez forward and described his record, saying he is a military veteran with more than 23 years of service and is currently an associate director with UnitedHealthcare who works with LGBTQ+ military members at Joint Base San Antonio. The mayor praised Gonzalez Martinez’s work providing support and outreach to LGBTQ+ service members.
The reappointment took place as part of the consent agenda the council approved that day. The transcript does not record any formal rebuttal from Antonio Gonzalez Martinez during the meeting. The council voted the consent agenda to approve multiple appointments and other items; the transcript does not provide a roll-call tally.
