There’s a quote from Houston’s mayor that really should be bookmarked and saved the next time someone decides the U.S. Constitution needs to be more “fluid” to meet the needs of America’s social justice warriors. Mayor Annise Parker herself introduced HERO, or the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, to provide protections for gay, bisexual and transgender Americans in her city. However, what soon became known as the “bathroom ordinance” fell at the ballot box.
HOUSTON (AP) – Contentious LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance in Houston fails to win approval by voters. https://t.co/KODLJYv8vw
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) November 4, 2015
Support Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance https://t.co/B296qJxH9o >> the editorial board at NYT might not get their wish tonight
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) November 4, 2015
The New York Times was among those out-of-towners who argued strongly for HERO’s passage:
Houston’s ordinance would allow transgender people to use public restrooms consistent with their gender identity. This is a fundamental right that does nothing to endanger others. There is absolutely no evidence, empirical or anecdotal, to suggest that transgender people have a proclivity to harass or sexually assault people in restrooms and locker rooms.
A fundamental right? Far too few in Houston agreed, and the maintenance of separate bathrooms for men and women has stained the city’s reputation, according to Parker.
https://twitter.com/ChloeAngyal/status/661744136006029312
#Houston Mayor Annise Parker on #HERO , "This was a campaign of fear mongering and deliberate lies."#KHOUElection pic.twitter.com/5J1klNX53e
— The Bishop (@BillBishopKHOU) November 4, 2015
MAYOR PARKER on defeat: “I feared that this would have stained Houston’s reputation as a tolerant city.”
— Foti Kallergis (@FotiKallergis) November 4, 2015
Maybe for some it was simply about where to give a crap?
https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/661742549548277760
https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/661743458911199232
https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/661744133028061184
No question about that.
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Update: The New York Times editorial board is sad.
In one of the most closely watched referendums, Houston voters handed gay rights supporters a stinging defeat https://t.co/DA14CRGXsa
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 4, 2015
https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/661761198103371776
@seanmdav @nytimes they have to say how cool they are.
Push comes to shove, they don't want to actually DO it. ??to the voters!— Proud 2 B Deplorable (@inmemoryofyossi) November 4, 2015
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Related:
Gov. Greg Abbott, Hillary Clinton spar over Houston’s ‘bathroom ordinance’
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