Houston Texans owner Bob McNair has given a large sum of money to help oppositions to the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance.
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The main point of opposition to HERO for groups against it, is that it would allow transgendered individuals to use public restrooms for their identified gender rather than their birth gender.
Former Houston Astros player Lance Berkman has also spoken out in opposition to the HERO bill. “This would violate their privacy and put them in harm’s way”, Berkman said.
Richard Carlbom, campaign manager for supporters of the law, released a statement saying the “vast majority of Houston business interests taking a position on Proposition 1 support it”.
Proponents of HERO have said that Houston will lose the privilege of hosting the Super Bowl in 2017 if it doesn’t pass. “But they [the backers of the ordinance] want to criminalize anyone who denies them service or feels like they may be discriminated [against] by any business”.
At the time, the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury all spoke out against the law.
In spring of 2014, Mayor Annise Parker introduced a 35 page city ordinance that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity among thirteen other “protected characteristics”. The same concern has been raised in Houston. Campaign for Houston spokesman Jared Woodfill tells the “Houston Chronicle” that McNair’s donation was exciting and thinks it shows claims that repealing HERO would damage the city’s economy aren’t resonating with voters.
“The Greater Houston Partnership knows that Houston needs the Equal Rights Ordinance to remain one of America’s great cities”. “Obviously, if there were any truth behind that, Bob McNair wouldn’t be donating to the folks that are opposed to the ordinance”.
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“Houston is a city known for the diversity and exceptionalism of its hard working people”.
