San Antonio activist Roberto Flores dies at 75

Upon hearing of the passing of San Antonio Stonwall Democrats co-chair, Roberto Flores, Michael Mitchell the National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director made this statement:

"Last week, we received the sad news that our dear friend Roberto Flores had passed away after a couragous bout with cancer.  I use the word 'dear' very purposefully because if you had the priviledge of meeting Roberto, you'd likely use the same word.  He was a gentle and powerful fighter for equality and believed deeply in the Democratic principles.  He was passionate about life and his love for his spouse of 37 years, Dan Graney.  We at NSD will miss Roberto, as I'm sure those who worked more intimately with him in Texas will, as well.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan, their family and friends. 

 

The following is an article about Roberto written by John Wright for the Dallas Voice.

Roberto J. Flores, a longtime San Antonio activist who was the first openly gay chair of the Bexar County Democratic Party, died Thursday, Sept. 2 at 75. Flores was co-chair of Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio, and his widower, Dan Graney, is president of the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus. QSanAntonio reports:

Flores was a Democratic Party precinct chair in Bexar County from 1999 to December of 2009, when he was elected the first openly gay County Chair of the Bexar County Democratic Party on an interim basis and served in that capacity until May of this year. He has been a delegate to every Texas Democratic Convention since 2000. He also has many years experience as an election judge.

Flores was a member of the Board of Directors of Equality Texas, a singing member of the Alamo City Men’s Chorale and member of the Alamo Business Council and the Rainbow Garden Club. For the past three years, he has been a faculty member of the GLBT sensitivity training for cadets in the San Antonio Police Academy. On October 15, 2009, Flores and Graney celebrated their 35th anniversary by getting married in a civil ceremony in Vermont.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.