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Travis L Peterson, 74, social work leader and gay activist, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2015 in San Antonio, TX. He was born March 29, 1940, in Lubbock County, TX. He attended public schools at Cooper and Lazbuddie, Tx., elementary schools, Ranchvale and Clovis, NM., high schools, graduating from Sudan, TX., high school in 1958. He took pride in bragging rights to having been a long-term resident of the Muleshoe, Tx., home of the National Memorial to the Mule—and to the mule's role in taming the West geographical area. Travis graduated from Texas Tech University in 1964 with a bachelor degree in journalism, and from the Worden School of Social Service, Our Lady of the Lake University in 1968 with a Master of Social Work degree. He was employed in various social work positions in Dallas, San Antonio and Houston, during a 43 year career. Practice settings included children's homes, psychiatric hospitals, outpatient mental health facilities and hospitals. The University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work also employed him for four years as a professor of Social Work. However, most of his career was spent in the private practice of psychotherapy. Following the American Psychiatric Association's 1973 elimination of homosexuality as a mental illness, Travis developed the first private practice of psychotherapy in Houston specializing in non-judgemental treatment of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered GLBT persons. As a member of a small group of gay activists, Travis pioneered changes of the attitudes toward the GLBT community by the National Association of Social WorkersNASW and the Council on Social Work EducationCSWE. He served two terms on NASW's National Committee on Gay Issues, and was co-editor of the organization's first publication on gay issues. He also served on or chaired similar committees at the Texas and Houston branches. Travis was also a member of the pioneering group that helped form the Texas chapter of NASW out of the existing 19 local chapters. He had various other leadership positions in both local, state and national committees, including writing the bylaws for and serving as the first chair of the Texas chapter's political action committee. Travis is survived by Charles Cuneo, his life mate of 42 years: Patrick L. Peterson, his only son; Julian Claire Peterson, his only grandchild; Arnold Peterson, brother; Carrie Troutz, sister-in-law; Joe Saucedo, brother-in-law; and a host of nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all who knew him including his many friends and neighbors. Services will be held at the Mission Park Funeral Chapel NORTH, 3401 Cherry Ridge Dr., San Antonio, Tx 78230.

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Travis L. Peterson

March 29, 1940 - March 4, 2015