On May 28, 2014, the Houston City Council passed the Houston Equal Rights, or H.E.R.O. The Ordinacne provides a local mechanism for protecting against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accomodations for 15 different classes. These classes include: sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, familial satus, marital status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or pregnancy. It was a huge victory for everyone who comes from a marginalized population. The passage of the Ordinance was due in large part to a collective effort accross different communities, working together, to urge the City Council to pass the Ordiannce. I as proud to speak before the Council, twice, in support of the Ordinance. I was also there when the votes were cast and the Ordinance passed. It was an incredible feeling to see the fight for human rights in action, and to see the fruits of the labor that comes through advocacy and activism.
Unfortunately, after the Ordinance was passed, the Houston Area Pastors Council, under the leadership of Dave Welch, organized a petition drive to repeal the Ordinance and put it up to a citywide vote. The opposition to the Ordinance circulated a petition that minsrepresented the Ordinance as a Bathroom Bill that would allow men to go into women's restrooms. When the opposition turned in their petitions, they claimed that they had obtained the necessary numbers to put the Ordinance on the November ballot. Once again, supporters of the Ordinance came together and checked those signatures, and it became apparent that there were several irregularities with the peititons. The City Secretary's Office returned with their official count, showing that the opposition did not achieve the necessary signatures. In response, the opposition sued the City of Houston, Mayor Annise Parker, and City Secretary Anna Russell.
After months of testimony before a jury, challenges from both sides, and an official recounting of the signatures, this past Friday, Judge Robert Schaffer, ruled that the opposition did NOT meet the required number, and rules in favor of the City of Houston!
HOUSTON FINALLY HAS A H.E.R.O.!!!!
THE NEXT STEPS
This is a major victory for the City of Houston and for Civil Rights for ALL people!
While we should definitely take the time to celebrate this victory, it is NOT over yet! The opponents of the Ordinance plan to appeal the decision. Therefore, we must continue to support the Ordinance by reporting cases of discrimination to the Office of Inspector General, so that they have documented cases attesting to the need of the Ordinance. We must educate our communities and others about the importance of the Ordinance and the fact that it protects 15 classes of people. We must dispel the myths and incorrect information related to the transgender community. We must be the HEROes and continue the work until all of the challenges are done!
Also, we must ask those who are running for office, "Where do you stand on the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance?" Ben Hall, who is currently running for Mayor of the City of Houston, has already spoken out against the Ordinance. He also stated that he would "dramatically alter the H.E.R.O. Ordinance," specifically againt the transgender community.
For someone who calls himself "Ben Hall for all" he is clearly NOT for all people. It is nobody's business what goes on in the restroom. There are NO cases of predatory behavior resulting from non-discrimination protections. What IS happening, is THIS:
I encourage you to NOT support Ben Hall, or any other politican who doesn't support equal rights for all people.
The fight conitnues and be sure to do your part!
The B.G.M.
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