Tuesday provided a stark reminder of all the work left to be done for LGBT equality as Houston voters scrapped the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance, known as HERO (Houston Equal Rights Ordinance), by a large margin. “Our policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness, and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard”. Opponents alleged the ordinance would infringe upon religious freedom and that allowing transgender individuals to use public bathrooms would enable sexual predators, the Associated Press reported.
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LGBT activists are casting about for a way to punish Houston for declining to pass the HERO proposition, which would have barred discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations on the basis of a number of conditions, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
A few supporters question if they could have pushed a more successful campaign rooted in economic arguments, with more leadership by Houston’s lesbian Mayor Annise Parker.
Tuesday’s vote repealed the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, which the Houston City Council passed into law by an 11-6 vote in May, 2014.
“The NCAA has no plans to move the 2016 Final Four, as it takes years to plan and implement this world-class event”, Dan Gavitt, the NCAA’s vice president of men’s basketball championships, said in a statement to The New York Times.
The NFL’s stance was softer, as it made clear the repeal will not impact Houston as a Super Bowl city. “We will continue our work with the Houston Local Organizing Committee to provide an inclusive environment for the student-athletes competing in and visitors attending our games and events in April”. But said the vote could affect future decisions. No one should have to live with the specter of discrimination hanging over them. “We’re confident that the citizens of Houston will vote in favor of fairness and equality”.
Beyonce has come under fire from the LGBT community after remaining silent despite pleas for support over the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance.
In retrospect, advocates of local nondiscrimination laws say they could have done more to support “the bathroom ordinance”.
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McNair quickly rescinded the donation after it became public, and issued a statement that his motives had been mischaracterized. It is illegal to discriminate against someone based upon their sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, and genetic information, as well as family, marital, or military status.
