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Campaign Launches to Protect Equal Rights in Houston
- Updated: August 28, 2015
by Eric Galatas/TNS
HOUSTON – A coalition of 35 organizations is mounting “Houston Unites,” a campaign to keep the city’s equal rights ordinance on the books.
Terri Burke, executive director with the ACLU of Texas, says a lot of money is at stake if the measure is repealed in the November election. She points out Facebook recently cited Fort Worth’s non-discrimination law as one of the factors in choosing the city for a new data center.
“They want to know that all of their employees will be welcomed,” says Burke. “From an economic point of view, it’s extremely important. Houston is not a city that discriminates, everyone is welcome in Houston.”
A campaign to prevent the repeal of Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance is underway. Organizers say the city’s reputation, and the chance to host events like the Super Bowl, are on the line in the November election. Photo: Mark J. Rebilas/Wikimedia Commons.
Burke adds, if the measure is repealed, Houston would be the only major city in the state without discrimination protections.
The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, passed in May of 2014, suffered a setback last month when the Texas Supreme Court told Houston’s city council to repeal the bill or put it before voters. The council opted to add the ordinance to the November third ballot.
The Houston Unites coalition includes faith organizations, the Houston NAACP, various businesses and LGBT groups.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker told the City Council transgender people are frequently at risk of losing their jobs due to discrimination.
Lou Weaver, a transgender advocate, says Houston’s national reputation is at stake.
“We are the fourth largest city in the entire nation,” says Weaver. “And we’re going forward, we don’t need to be seen as going backwards. The Super Bowl could be on the line, the Final Four could be on the line, conventions. If we don’t get this right, we’re going to lose all of that.”
Weaver is referring to events earlier this year. The NFL was poised to relocate the Super Bowl in February if Arizona had passed a discriminatory “religious freedom” law. League policy prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.
In April, the NCAA and Final Four coaches condemned a similar law passed in Indiana.
