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Ozuna Steps Forward To Defend Family, Non-Discrimination Ordinance

Courtesy Leticia Ozuna

Cyber security specialist and former councilwoman Leticia Ozuna is in the business of secret-keeping. She knew it was only a matter of time before the remarks about her family that were made by Councilwoman Elisa Chan and her staff in a recording released by a former staffer became public.

Here's part of it, from the Express-News audio:

Jeff Bazan (former chief of policy to Chan): "That's why, for example, Councilwoman Ozuna is still married to that lady because that lady was born a man. So that marriage is still valid in the State of Texas."

Chan: "That's her original husband?"

Bazan: "Yeah."

Several days after the original story broke, Ozuna decided to clear the air about why she responded to the comments made in that recording. She said she wanted people to know she’s not ashamed of Sophia Parafina, her spouse of 25 years and father of her children.

"By the time it got to me, there easily, there had to be more than 100 people that were savvy about what was going on. It was not a secret," Ozuna said.

The former district 3 councilwoman said she's dealing with profound sadness. One, because she said the proposed non-discrimination ordinance, which Chan was discussing with her staff, is dividing the city.

But she also said it drags her family into the bickering.

The Express-News originally edited out the portion of the audio when Ozuna's name came up, but later released it when she responded to Chan's remarks.

"I thought to myself, you know, I'll bet that they [the Express-News] are withholding this because they think I'm ashamed," she said, "and they didn't even ask me."

Ozuna said San Antonio needs the non-discrimination ordinance because of what was heard on that tape.

She said most of America and the major Fortune 500 companies are already on board with a non-discrimination ordinance and San Antonio should be too.

Ryan Loyd was Texas Public Radio's city beat and political reporter. He left the organization in December, 2014.