• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Film/TV/Stream
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Tech/Science
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Torn Apart: Lachlan Murdoch Tells Pals If ‘Trump Were To Run Again, It’d Be Bad’ — As ‘FOX News’ Patriach Rupert Thinks ‘He’s Good For Business’
  • Herschel Walker’s Ex-Wife Says Former NFL Star ‘Threatened To Kill Her’ In New Senate Campaign Ad
  • Facebook use plunges among US teens: survey

Houston Voters Must Say ‘Yes’ To LGBT Protections, Not ‘No’ To Repealing Them

John Wright August 20, 2015 Leave a Comment

HERO

For the second time in less than a month, the Texas Supreme Court ruled against the city of Houston on Wednesday in a lawsuit related to its Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO).

The court on Thursday struck down the city’s approved ballot language for the November vote on HERO, ruling that officials must ask residents to vote for or against the ordinance itself, rather than for or against repealing it.

Last month, Texas Supreme Court justices — who are elected and all Republicans — ordered Houston officials to repeal HERO or place it on the ballot, despite widespread forgery and other major problems on a petition from anti-LGBT groups.

parkerOut lesbian Mayor Annise Parker, who authored the ordinance, issued this statement in response to Wednesday’s ruling:

“Despite the continued backdoor legal maneuvers and manipulation by a small group that is out of touch, I am confident that Houstonians will vote to keep the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance in November. We are a city that believes everyone deserves to be treated equally no matter his or her race, age, gender, physical limitations, sexual orientation or gender identity. Discrimination simply isn’t a Houston value.

“With all due respect to the Texas Supreme Court, it is clear that politics is driving the law in this case. We will rewrite the ballot language, but I strongly disagree with the decision and find it to be contrary to the court’s established law regarding previous ballot initiatives.”

In what was a victory for HERO supporters, the Texas Supreme Court also decided Thursday that the city can use the phrase “Houston Equal Rights Ordinance” on the ballot, which opponents had also challenged.

Personally, I’m not convinced the decision on the ballot wording is necessarily a defeat for HERO supporters. This will allow them to simply say, “Yes, we need a HERO,” which actually seems more straightforward than “No, we shouldn’t repeal HERO.”

Nevertheless, opponents of the ordinance, who ironically call themselves the “No UnEQUAL Rights” coalition, celebrated the ruling with a rambling press release focused — you guessed it — on bathrooms:

No-UNequal-rights-logo-final-PNG_small1“We are thankful that once again justice has prevailed and that Mayor Annise Parker will not be allowed to ignore the City Charter with misleading ballot language. Again, a unanimous decision by the Texas Supreme Court has exposed the disregard by this Mayor for the rule of law, and the citizens have prevailed. …

“When laws are proposed and considered, we believe that those laws must conform with the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God as placed in our founding documents. Mayor Parker’s ordinance allows men -biological males – in women’s restrooms, showers and locker rooms by simply declaring that they are expressing themselves as female that day. It is that simple, and that terrifying for women and girls who could be accosted at any time in a place where their privacy should have sanctity.

“This ordinance violates the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God, and threatens the safety of the women and girls who live in or pass through Houston.

“We say simply, ‘NO men in women’s restrooms!’

“Mayor Parker’s ordinance makes criminals out of business owners who either exercise discretion in keeping men out of women’s restrooms or simply decline to provide a cake, photography, music or other services to a wedding that violates their deeply held religious beliefs – even when those services are readily available in great quantity.

“We simply say, ‘NO threatening religious liberty and criminalizing people of faith!’

“We firmly commit our continued leadership and voice in calling on our citizens to vote ‘AGAINST’ Mayor Parker’s Bathroom Ordinance on the November General Election ballot.”

The coalition supporting the ordinance, Houston Unites, responded in its own release:

HoustonUnitesOpponents of Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) continue, as they did today at a news conference, to claim incorrectly that a bathroom ordinance is on the November ballot, when it is not.

“The Equal Rights Ordinance – not a bathroom ordinance – is on the ballot,” said Richard Carlbom, campaign manager for Houston Unites. “We would encourage everyone in the media to report with legal accuracy on what is and isn’t on the ballot in November.”

This fall, Houstonians are going to the polls to decide whether they support protecting people from discrimination in employment, housing and in restaurants and shops.

HERO protects people from discrimination based upon race, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation. More than half of the claims filed under HERO, according City of Houston’s Office of the Inspector General, have been based on racial discrimination.

Pastor Rudy Rasmus, senior pastor at St. John’s Methodist Church, said last week that HERO opponents are “raising issues that aren’t even on the ballot. All of us care about privacy and safety in bathrooms and nothing in HERO changes that. But the question on the ballot is simple: Do Houstonians support treating others as they wish to be treated?”

Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who once attacked Parker for marrying her longtime partner in California, also chimed in:

Mayor Parker, the first openly gay Mayor of a major city, has tried to push her agenda on the people of Houston on an ordinance that would violate people’s religious liberties, create more government interference in business, and go so far as to allow men to use women’s bathrooms in the city whether women, including little girls, want the men in there or not. …

The behavior of the Mayor is a prime example of what happens when liberals are in charge. They ignore the will of the majority of the people, the rule of law and the courts in their pursuit of their leftist agenda

Topics: Music, towleroad More Posts About: annise parker, discrimination, gay rights, HERO, houston, houston equal rights ordinance, LGBT Rights, Texas

Related Posts
  • Texas Republicans’ Platform Calls Your LGBTQ Life an “Abnormal Lifestyle Choice”; Declares Biden Election Illegitimate, Despite Evidence;
  • Idaho, Alabama, Wisconsin Advance Anti-Trans Youth Bills, Including Life In Prison Punishment For Providing Puberty Blockers
  • The 100,000 (est) Men Convicted for Same-Sex Contact Under UK’s Maze of Sodomy Laws Over The Last Few Hundred Years Can Get Pardons Now. Bit Late For Some.
  • Herschel Walker’s Ex-Wife Says Former NFL Star ‘Threatened To Kill Her’ In New Senate Campaign Ad

    Herschel Walker’s Ex-Wife Says Former NFL Star ‘Threatened To Kill Her’ In New Senate Campaign Ad

    Published by Radar Online Mega Herschel Walker’s ex-wife recently accused the professional football player-turned-politician of threatening to kill her during their nearly 20-year-long marriage, Radar has learned. The shocking accusation was made by Cindy DeAngelis Grossman …Read More »
  • Facebook use plunges among US teens: survey

    Facebook use plunges among US teens: survey

    Published by AFP A new survey says teen have fled Facebook in recent years San Francisco (AFP) – US teens have left Facebook in droves over the past seven years, preferring to spend time at video-sharing …Read More »
  • ‘A Family Divided’: Melania & Ivanka Trump ‘Begging’ Donald Not To Run For President In 2024

    ‘A Family Divided’: Melania & Ivanka Trump ‘Begging’ Donald Not To Run For President In 2024

    Published by OK Magazine mega Donald Trump has made it clear that he wants to run for president again in 2024, but his family is less than pleased about his decision, which is causing a feud …Read More »
  • Cannibalism & Fetishes: Armie Hammer’s Disturbing Voice Memos & Messages Exposed By Alleged Victims

    Cannibalism & Fetishes: Armie Hammer’s Disturbing Voice Memos & Messages Exposed By Alleged Victims

    Published by Radar Online Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / MEGA Armie Hammer‘s alleged voice memos and messages are being exposed by his alleged victims following allegations of sexual abuse, Radar has learned. Hammer’s exes, Courtney Vucekovich, …Read More »
Previous Post: « Hack Reveals Josh Duggar Had Paid Accounts on Cheating Site Ashley Madison
Next Post: Hedwig and the Angry Inch to Close on Broadway Next Month »

Primary Sidebar

Adjacent News

  • US uncovers Iran ‘plot’ to kill ex-White House official John Bolton

    US uncovers Iran ‘plot’ to kill ex-White House official John Bolton

  • Texas church’s unauthorized production of ‘Hamilton’ ends with sermon comparing gay people to drug addicts: report

    Texas church’s unauthorized production of ‘Hamilton’ ends with sermon comparing gay people to drug addicts: report

  • Alex Jones’ Text Messages Turned Over To January 6 House Select Committee

    Alex Jones’ Text Messages Turned Over To January 6 House Select Committee

Good Trash: Going to Read It Somewhere, Y’know

  • Ellen Has Not Contacted Ex-Lover Anne Heche Following Fiery Crash Into LA Home

    Ellen Has Not Contacted Ex-Lover Anne Heche Following Fiery Crash Into LA Home

  • Pete Davidson Proposed to Kim Kardashian Before Their Breakup

    Pete Davidson Proposed to Kim Kardashian Before Their Breakup

  • New bombshell book on Trump reveals he wanted to be treated like Hitler: ‘Totally loyal’

    New bombshell book on Trump reveals he wanted to be treated like Hitler: ‘Totally loyal’

RSS Partner Links

  • Morning Round-Up: Jane Lynch; Solomon Bates; Ryan Murphy; Mary Trump; Drag Race & more!
  • Song of the Day: 'Wild World' by Cat Stevens
  • Wrestle Wednesday
  • Page 1 Roundup (08/10)
  • Kumail Nanjiani Reveals Why He Was Upset with Wife Emily V. Gordon on Their 15th Wedding Anniversary
  • Morning Wood
  • Serena Williams announces her retirement from pro tennis at 41: “Something’s got to give”

Most Recent

  • Torn Apart: Lachlan Murdoch Tells Pals If ‘Trump Were To Run Again, It’d Be Bad’ — As ‘FOX News’ Patriach Rupert Thinks ‘He’s Good For Business’

    Torn Apart: Lachlan Murdoch Tells Pals If ‘Trump Were To Run Again, It’d Be Bad’ — As ‘FOX News’ Patriach Rupert Thinks ‘He’s Good For Business’

  • Herschel Walker’s Ex-Wife Says Former NFL Star ‘Threatened To Kill Her’ In New Senate Campaign Ad

    Herschel Walker’s Ex-Wife Says Former NFL Star ‘Threatened To Kill Her’ In New Senate Campaign Ad

  • Facebook use plunges among US teens: survey

    Facebook use plunges among US teens: survey

  • ‘A Family Divided’: Melania & Ivanka Trump ‘Begging’ Donald Not To Run For President In 2024

    ‘A Family Divided’: Melania & Ivanka Trump ‘Begging’ Donald Not To Run For President In 2024

  • Cannibalism & Fetishes: Armie Hammer’s Disturbing Voice Memos & Messages Exposed By Alleged Victims

    Cannibalism & Fetishes: Armie Hammer’s Disturbing Voice Memos & Messages Exposed By Alleged Victims

  • Dr. Oz Loans $13 Million To His Political Campaign As Sliding Pools Doom His Senate Bid

    Dr. Oz Loans $13 Million To His Political Campaign As Sliding Pools Doom His Senate Bid

  • Brazilians Turn To Poisoning Monkeys Over Fear They Are Spreading Monkeypox: Report

    Brazilians Turn To Poisoning Monkeys Over Fear They Are Spreading Monkeypox: Report

  • Trump declines to answer questions in N.Y. attorney general investigation

    Trump declines to answer questions in N.Y. attorney general investigation

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

Footer

Copyright © 2022 · Log in

×