Pride San Antonio board to resign after lawsuit backlash

Longtime leaders of the LGBTQ+ advocacy group will step down next month amid intense criticism over a lawsuit they filed with a conservative organization.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Longtime leaders of the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Pride San Antonio are stepping down next month amid an intense backlash over a lawsuit they filed with a conservative organization. The group's nine board directors, many of whom have led the organization for two decades or more, will appoint new leaders in March and train them after they take the reins — for the next two years. However, that may not be enough to stop critics from boycotting the 22-year-old nonprofit's annual Pride Bigger Than Texas festival and parade, or hosting their own Pride events.

Why it matters

The lawsuit targeted the city over its handling of the removal of four rainbow crosswalks on North Main Avenue, the heart of the city's gay cultural heritage district. While Pride San Antonio was trying to preserve the crosswalks, the Texas Conservative Liberty Forum had a different objective and was trying to stop the city from painting rainbow stripes on North Main sidewalks. The backlash highlights growing tensions within the LGBTQ+ community in San Antonio over the direction and leadership of Pride events.

The details

The group's board came under fire in January for joining the Texas Conservative Liberty Forum's San Antonio chapter in a lawsuit against the city of San Antonio. While the conservative group is led by a gay man, it has fought gender-affirming care for transgender youth. District court judges refused to stop the city's crosswalk removal and replacement work, rendering the lawsuit moot. But that didn't quell the anger directed at Pride San Antonio. Criticism of Pride San Antonio started online but quickly boiled over in the real world, with a near-shouting match between critics and board members at a recent monthly meeting.

  • In January, Pride San Antonio's board joined the Texas Conservative Liberty Forum's San Antonio chapter in a lawsuit against the city of San Antonio.
  • In February, Pride San Antonio filed paperwork to use the name 'Pride210' and sent a cease-and-desist letter to the new LGBTQ+ advocacy group Pride210.

The players

Pride San Antonio

A 22-year-old LGBTQ+ advocacy group that organizes an annual Pride festival and parade in San Antonio.

Texas Conservative Liberty Forum

A conservative organization that joined Pride San Antonio in a lawsuit against the city of San Antonio over the removal of rainbow crosswalks.

Pride210

A new LGBTQ+ advocacy organization that has been the most vocal critic of Pride San Antonio in the wake of the lawsuit.

Justin Nichols

An attorney who has done pro bono work for both the Texas Conservative Liberty Forum and Pride San Antonio.

Lyn-Z Andrews

A drag performer who hosts shows at Pegasus, a nightclub owned by a Republican politician, and who wants to organize a boycott of Pride San Antonio's festival and parade.

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What they’re saying

“We're tired, and tonight just makes us even more tired when we have to deal with stuff like this — just the vitriol coming at us. We haven't done anything wrong. We haven't done anything. We filed a suit to save the crosswalks.”

— James Poindexter, Board Secretary, Pride San Antonio (expressnews.com)

“Our intention was never to cause friction with Pride San Antonio. We were doing this for the love of the community and to move our community forward. But unfortunately, after many attempts at trying to essentially move forward with them, all of those attempts have gone nowhere.”

— Daniel Pacheco, Co-founder, Pride210 (expressnews.com)

“I as a trans individual am very upset. I as a community member who has also put in many, many hours into doing benefits with you. Who has done so much with you guys. I have been there with you. But to feel discredited does not feel right.”

— Lyn-Z Andrews (expressnews.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The resignation of Pride San Antonio's longtime board members highlights the deep divisions within the LGBTQ+ community in San Antonio over the direction and leadership of Pride events. The backlash over the lawsuit with a conservative group has led to calls for boycotts and rival Pride events, raising questions about the future of Pride celebrations in the city.