“We have always pushed through sometimes difficult national politics to set an example of compassion and the embrace of diversity,” he added. “San Antonio has a long and proud history of being a birthplace for American civil rights,” Nirenberg said via phone from Austin on Friday, where he attended a conference on fatherhood. Related: Pride Parade Showcases Allies in Community, City Hall Ina Minjarez (D-San Antonio) and Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio), and Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who served as grand marshal i n 2017, also took part. Caribbean American Heritage Month Gay & Lesbian Pride Month Black Music Month. José Menéndez (D-San Antonio), State Reps. Mesa College Cultural Events & Heritage Celebrations. Other participants included City Council members Roberto Treviño (D1), in whose district the parade occurred, Cruz Shaw (D2), Rebecca Viagran (D3), Rey Saldaña (D4), Ana Sandoval (D7), Manny Pelaez (D8), and John Courage (D9). 2018 Watch SDGMC and SDWC Perform with Demi Lovato, February 28, 2018, San Diego Gay and Lesbian News Demi Lovato Brings Parkland Shooting Survivors on Stage. Among the participants were advocacy group Dignity San Antonio, the Veterans Administration, Marriott Hotels, and Bank of America. The variety among the 133 scheduled parade participants demonstrated Salazar’s assertion, as well as the issues, political reach, and economic power of the local LGBTQIA community. Salazar is a “staunch ally” of the Pride community, according to OutInSA, and was quoted there as saying the LGBTQIA population in the San Antonio is “sizeable … bigger than we even know.” Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar and Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano, mayor of Del Rio, Texas, served as co-grand marshals for the 2018 parade.