Houston voters repeal LGBT equal rights ordinance

Houston voters overwhelmingly repealed a city ordinance that was meant to provide equal rights for the LGBT community. The opposition succeeded mostly by saying that the law would allow men to dress as women to get into women’s restrooms.

KTRK reports that 61 percent of voters voted to repeal the ordinance.

Mayor Annise Parker, an openly gay three-term Democrat, supported the ordinance, which didn’t exclusively focus on sexual orientation. According to the Houston Chronicle, the ordinance banned discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, sex, race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, disability, pregnancy and other classes. Religious organizations were exempt from following the law.

The City Council passed the ordinance in May 2014, but in July, the Texas Supreme Court said that it had to be put on the ballot or repealed by the council. The council then decided to put it on the ballot.

“We are disappointed with today's outcome, but our work to secure nondiscrimination protections for all hard-working Houstonians will continue,” supporters said in a statement. “No one should have to live with the specter of discrimination hanging over them. Everyone should have the freedom to work hard, earn a decent living and provide for themselves and their families.”

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, supported repealing the measure and even appeared in a commercial that claimed sexual predators would be allowed to use public restrooms, notes Reuters. Conservative Christians also saw the law as an attack on religious freedom. “It's about allowing men into women’s locker rooms and bathrooms. No woman should have to share a public locker room or restroom with a man,” Patrick said in one commercial.

Parker and other supporters of the measure were concerned that repealing it would drive businesses away from Houston. The New York Times notes that some even think it might hurt the city’s chances at getting the 2017 Super Bowl.