FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Kevin Nix | [email protected] | (202) 431-5796
Anna Núñez | [email protected] | (713) 325-7010
HOUSTON – The Texas Supreme Court this morning ruled that the majority of Houstonians who support the city's Equal Rights Ordinance will be casting a ballot “for” the measure to keep it on the books.
“We’re eager for the majority of Houstonians to vote 'FOR' keeping the city’s valuable Equal Rights Ordinance,” said Richard Carlbom, campaign manager for Houston Unites. “Discrimination based upon race, disability, military status, gender identity, sexual orientation or age is not a Houston value and has no place in this city. A vote FOR HERO is a vote for treating everyone fairly and equally under the law."
The Houston City Council will be deciding the final ballot language next week.
Voters this fall will decide whether they continue to support ending legal discrimination in employment, housing and in restaurants and shops based upon race, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation. More than half of the claims filed under HERO (according to the City of Houston's Office of the Inspector General) when it was on the books, were based on racial discrimination.
Houston Unites is the coalition working to elevate the diversity of voices supporting HERO. The leading coalition partners include: ACLU of Texas, Equality Texas, Freedom For All Americans, Human Rights Campaign, NAACP Houston Branch and Texas Freedom Network.
