A request made by
Second Baptist Church of San Antonio to change the name
of Gay Street, which runs adjacent to the church's
property, was denied by the city council on Thursday,
reports WOAI TV.
The church wanted
to rename the street "Second Baptist Way" in a
supposed effort to reach out to the community. Many
involved, though -- including attorney Rosie
Gonzales, who participated in the hearing
-- suspect the reason for the request had more to do
with the controversial existing name than it did with
outreach efforts.
Gay Street was
named after a prominent community activist, and those who
live on the street and in the general area have requested
the street keep its name as a tribute.
At the hearing at
City Hall on Thursday, the request was ultimately
denied by a nearly unanimous vote. According to WOAI, city
councilwoman Sheila McNeil requested that the name
change be denied, and the council agreed. (The
Advocate)