Fort Smith Four
Covering Local News and Local Issues
No HERO in Houston
Carol Ann Seahorn
November 11, 2015
Houston voters disapproved of the anti-discrimination law Houston Equal Rights Ordinance – HERO by 61% on November 3rd primarily because of the “No Men in Women’s Bathrooms” emphasized by opponents. The ordinance would have prevented discrimination in housing, public accommodations and employment based on fifteen “Protected Characteristics” including sex, race, religion, sexuality, and gender identity. This ordinance did not include religious institutions. Those found in violation of the ordinance could have faced up to $5,000 in fines.
The controversial ordinance has pitted Houstonians against each other since it was approved by the City Council 11-6 back in May of 2014. After a repeal referendum from conservative opponents and roughly a year of challenges, in July
the Texas Supreme Court required the city to have the ordinance in the ballot or repealed. The
City Council determined by a 12-5 vote to have the ordinance in the ballot. The challenges did
not end there however.
The biggest opponent of the ordinance were social conservatives. Campaign for Houston PAC
fought against HERO using the slogan “No Men in Women’s Bathrooms” and running ads
depicting a young girl being followed by an older man into a bathroom stall. The slogan signs
were posted around many Houston public bathrooms, including around polling places. Famous
faces added in their disgust of HERO including Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and
Houston Astro player Lance Berkman.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick defended his stance stating:“The voters clearly understand that this
proposition was never about equality – that is already the law …It was about allowing men to enter women’s restrooms and locker rooms — defying common sense and common decency.”
Lance Berkman had similar views used in one of Campaign for Houston’s ads:“I’m Lance Berkman. I play professional baseball for 15 years but my family is more important. In reality it discriminates against people who believe, like me, that members of the opposite sex should not be forced to share restrooms or locker rooms.”
The proponents of HERO were led by Mayor Annise Parker, the first openly gay mayor of any major U.S. city, as well rallied by We are HERO photo campaign.
Parker announced her disappointment of the vote:
“Unfortunately, I fear that this will have stained Houston’s reputation as a tolerant, welcoming, global city…And I absolutely fear that there will be a direct economic backlash as a result of this.”
We are HERO aimed to spread awareness of what the ordinance entailed as well as who was protected by it.
Around 200 cities have approved of a similar anti-discrimination ordinance. The ordinance in Fayetteville, Arkansas will take effect tomorrow.
Sources:
https://www.campaignforhouston.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CampaignForHouston/?fref=ts
https://www.houstontx.gov/equal_rights_ordinance.pdf
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/04/us/houston-voters-repeal-anti-bias-measure.html?_r=0
https://www.texastribune.org/2015/11/03/houston-anti-discrimination-ordinance-early-voting/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYpko86x6GU
