Tuesday's blood drive at Bonham Exchange wasn't just another ordinary blood drive. This one held special significance. It was just in May of 2023 that the FDA put out new rules allowing gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships to donate blood without abstaining from sex.

Pride Center San Antonio started from humble beginnings and is now a thriving organization. Executive Director Robert Salcido has been there through it all, leading the organization for 13 years.

After serving 13 years at Pride Center San Antonio, executive director Robert Salcido is stepping down at the end of June.

Robert Salcido, executive director of Pride Center San Antonio, joined Episode 1 of the South Texas Pride Podcast to discuss the upcoming Icons Brunch.

The free program will cater to young people of color and Spanish speakers in the queer community. Salcido stayed true to himself, eventually becoming the executive director of the Pride Center of San Antonio. However, the second pilot counseling group, which is for adults 18 and older who speak Spanish, still has spots available. AdThe Pride Center will use research done during these eight-week counseling sessions to mold more group counseling programs for the future. To sign up for the Spanish speaking group, head to the Pride Center website’s group therapy page.

SAN ANTONIO – Organizations and legislators continue to lash out after the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners voted to allow social workers to refuse service to people based on disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. New Texas rule lets social workers turn away clients who are LGBTQ or have a disabilityIt’s a statement that Salcido is grateful to hear. “Social workers are the very people that are meant to be unbiased and to offer that support to somebody that is already experiencing a dark time or needing help navigating through their experiences,” he said. Members of the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners said Gov. Greg Abbott’s office recommended the change because the code’s nondiscrimination protections went beyond protections laid out in the state law that governs how and when the state may discipline social workers.

Local leaders with the LGBTQ community and the nonprofit BEAT AIDS said it's a good first step, but it will take work to get to that goal. Michelle Durham, with BEAT AIDS, said it's a doable plan since there is already a national HIV/AIDS strategy to end the virus by 2030. Durham said there are about 7,000 people who currently have HIV or AIDS in San Antonio and 1.2 million in the country. BEAT AIDS is inviting the community to a free luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Second Baptist Church. February 7th is National HIV / AIDS Awareness Day!

SAN ANTONIO – A trio of San Antonio researchers launched a study on resiliency in the local LGBTQ community, and they're looking for people to interview. SOUTH TEXAS PRIDE: San Antonio church walks the walk of advocacy and inclusivityThe title of their project is "San Antonio Strengthening Colors of Pride." A short survey to determine each applicant's qualifications is available via Twitter and Facebook, and on the Pride Center San Antonio website. After the first round of interviews, the study will broaden to reach a larger group within the San Antonio LGBTQ community. "Our next phase next year will be conducting a really large survey, which has never really been done in San Antonio," Stone said.

SAN ANTONIO – Pride Center San Antonio has the keys and is ready to move into its new, open walk-in center. "We created it because we wanted to bring awareness to the LGBT community center. We wanted to raise money for the LGBT community center," said Julian P. Ledezma, Pride Center board member, local photographer, and creator of the Emerald Ball. The staff who runs the ball is comprised of volunteers – just like the staff that runs the Pride Center. GET MORE INFORMATION ON THE PRIDE CENTER RIGHT HERE.