A lesbian military vet has been elected mayor of San Antonio, Texas. Gina Ortiz Jones, who served as United States Under Secretary of the Air Force during President Joe Biden’s administration will be San Antonio’s new mayor. A Filipina American, she became the first lesbian and first woman of color to hold the position. In a recent runoff election Jones beat Rolando Pablos, former Texas secretary of state with 54.3% to Pablos’ 45.7%.
Ortiz Jones’ career was an upward spiral. In the Air Force, she served as an intelligence officer in Iraq under “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Leaving the Air Force, she began working for the federal government as an intelligence and trade adviser with the Defense Intelligence Agency and Office of U.S. Trade Representative.
Ortiz Jones campaigned on several main points, including the expansion of early-childhood education, affordable housing, and work programs for unskilled workers, according to The New York Times.
After her election she told supporters that San Antonio showed up for her. “We reminded them that our city is about compassion and it’s about leading with everybody in mind…so I look forward to being a mayor for all.”
The Advocate reported that two other U.S. cities among the country’s 10 largest cities have had LGBTQ+ mayors; Annise Parker of Houston (2010-2016) and Lori Lightfoot in Chicago (2019-2023).
In a time when the country’s LGBTQ+ community is fighting hard for their rights, the win is warmly welcomed. Kelley Robinson, president of Human Rights Campaign released a statement following Ortiz Jones’ victory: “Every one of us deserves leaders who value equality and will fight to ensure that we can live freely without fear of discrimination. Gina Ortiz Jones is that leader,” she wrote. “Her win isn’t just exciting, it’s historic; as the first ever openly LGBTQ+ mayor of San Antonio during a time of ceaseless attacks on our community, Gina is emblematic of the resilience, strength, and joy that our community has already used to thrive in challenging times.”
