Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is back waging war on the LGBT community.
As NCRM reported earlier today, in a stunning and aggressive move, the Texas Supreme Court earlier today ordered the City of Houston to either repeal its nondiscrimination ordinance, or place it on the November ballot for a public vote. The order was unusual at best, given, as Buzzfeed’s Chris Geidner tweeted, this:
In other words, they wanted to make sure it got on the ballot, and were willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.
That ordinance, dubbed HERO, or Houston equal rights ordinance, protects LGBT people from discrimination, and Houston will again be the only major city in America without one.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton just issued a statement applauding the decision.
“I’m pleased the Texas Supreme Court unanimously threw out this agenda-driven ordinance in Houston,” Paxton writes, ignoring the plight of about 100,000 LGBT people in Houston who might be protected by HERO.
“Today’s ruling is a victory for Houston pastors and the people of Houston, who will now have their voices heard. The fundamental rights of free speech and religious liberty must be protected, and this ruling is an important step in safeguarding these rights for Texans.”
In other words, Paxton isn’t even shy about prioritizing the “rights” of the religious right to discriminate against LGBT people over the rights of LGBT people to be treated equally and fairly.
Of course, the people of Houston had the opportunity to have their voices heard in the many months leading up to the HERO vote. They had the opportunity to have their voices heard before the city council passed it, and they even had the opportunity to properly sign the petitions the Houston pastors somehow managed to submit, despite the majority of signatures being ruled invalid by the city attorney.
UPDATE:
Houston Mayor Annise Parker just released this classy response to today’s decision.
“Obviously, I am disappointed and believe the court is in error with this eleventh hour ruling in a case that had already been decided by a judge and jury of citizens. Nonetheless, we will proceed with the steps necessary for City Council to consider the issue. At the same time, we are consulting with our outside counsel on any possible available legal actions.Â
“Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance is similar to measures passed by every other major city in the country and by most local corporations. No matter the color of your skin, your age, gender, physical limitations, or sexual orientation, every Houstonian deserves the right to be treated equally. To do otherwise, hurts Houston’s well-known image as a city that is tolerant, accepting, inclusive and embracing of its diversity. Our citizens fully support and understand this and I have never been afraid to take it to the voters. We will win!”
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