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Council members defend reappointed LGBTQ+ advisory board member after caller's criticism
Summary
A public commenter denounced an LGBTQ+ advisory board reappointment during public comment; Councilmember McKee Rodriguez and Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones publicly defended Antonio Gonzalez Martinez, noting his military service and community outreach, and the reappointment was included in the consent agenda the council approved.
City Council members in San Antonio pushed back on a public commenter’s criticism of an LGBTQ+ advisory board reappointment during the Nov. 13 meeting, publicly defending the appointee’s service and noting the reappointment was approved as part of the consent agenda.
What happened: Jack M. Finger used his allotted public-comment time to object to the reappointment of Antonio Gonzalez Martinez, saying the appointment contradicted the day’s invocation and asserting, “homosexuality is a grave depravity.” The comment specifically referenced agenda item 13, which included appointments and reappointments to city advisory boards.
Council response: Councilmember McKee Rodriguez denounced the rhetoric from the dais and urged the room to “choose love,” directly responding to the commenter’s tone. Rodriguez said the council supports residents who serve the city. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones invited Antonio Gonzalez Martinez forward, noting his 23 years of military service and his work with UnitedHealthcare and LGBTQ+ military outreach. The mayor said Antonio aims to provide safe spaces for LGBTQ+ service members across Joint Base San Antonio installations.
Why it matters: reappointments to advisory boards shape who advises city officials on policy affecting specific communities; public comment raised a contested moral argument for why the appointment should not proceed, and council members publicly rejected that rationale and recorded support for the appointee. Antonio’s appointment was part of the consent agenda approved later in the meeting.
What the record shows: Jack M. Finger’s objection was recorded during public comment and drew direct responses from council members; council members highlighted the appointee’s veteran status and community work in their defense. The consent agenda, which included the reappointment, was subsequently approved; the mayor announced, “The motion carries.”
Next steps: The reappointment will take effect per the city’s usual onboarding for advisory board members; the transcript does not specify any follow-up actions, additional votes on the appointment, or changes to board responsibilities.
