Last night anti-LGBT activists in Texas succeeded in rolling back crucial nondiscrimination protections in Houston — one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in America. Houston is now the largest city in the United States WITHOUT local protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, women, minorities, veterans, and many others.
The City Council passed the measure in May, but it was in limbo after opponents succeeded, following a lengthy court fight, in putting the matter to a referendum. The measure failed by a vote of 61 percent to 39 percent, reports The New York Times.
In Houston, the ordinance’s proponents — including Mayor Annise D. Parker, local and national gay rights and civil rights groups and the actress Sally Field — accused opponents of using fearmongering against gay people, and far-fetched talk of bathroom attacks, to generate support for a repeal. The ordinance, they noted, says nothing specifically about whether men can use women’s restrooms.
“It’s almost unbelievable that this could happen in a city like Houston,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “But make no mistake: if we don’t double down today, we’ll face the same thing again and again in cities across the nation.”
In May 2014, the city council approved Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), but enforcement of that law was placed on hold pending the outcome of last night’s vote.
