Final Push for Equal Rights Ordinance in Houston

The fight for equality in Houston is coming down to the wire. The Houston City Council is set vote on the proposed Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) on Wednesday, May 14. This ordinance would protect individuals from discrimination based on sex, race, color ethnicity, national original, age, familiar status, marital status, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or pregnancy. The measure prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation.

Houston is the only major city in Texas not to have such an ordinance. But religious-right pressure groups are promoting a campaign of fear and lies in support of discrimination. So right now, passage of this ordinance is not a slam dunk: we’re hearing from several members of the City Council that the vote could be very close.

If you live in Houston and support the HERO, then this is the moment your involvement could be most effective. The best way to make sure the ordinance passes is to call City Council members to let them know where you stand. With their phones ringing off the hook, City Council members will hear a clear message: Houstonians won’t tolerate discrimination.

To contact council members to state your support of the ordinance, here’s what to do:

• Consult the list of City Council phone numbers at the bottom of this post. Grab the numbers for: i) your council member, ii) all at-large council members, and iii) any council members you know personally.
• Call those members and let them know you support the HERO and want them to vote for it. If the council members you call are already in favor of the ordinance, be sure to thank them for their support.

It’s critical that you also pick up the phone now and speak directly with the people who will cast the final vote. So stand up for all Houstonians against discrimination by calling your council members today and asking them to support the HERO.

Don’t know your district / city council member? Click here to view a map of Houston’s City Council districts.

Houston City Council Members
District A: Brenda Stardig, 832.393.3010
District B: Jerry Davis, 832.393.3009
District C: Ellen Cohen, 832.393.3004
District D: Dwight Boykins, 832.393.3001
District E: Dave Martin, 832.393.3008
District F: Richard Nguyen, 832.393.3002
District G: Oliver Pennington, 832.393.3007
District H: Ed Gonzalez, 832.393.3003
District I: Robert Gallegos, 832.393.3011
District J: Mike Laster, 832.393.3015
District K: Larry Green, 832.393.3016
At Large 1: Stephen C. Costello, 832.393.3014
At Large 2: David W. Robinson, 832.393.3013
At Large 3: Michael Kubosh, 832.393.3005
At Large 4: C.O. “Brad” Bradford, 832.393.3012
At Large 5: Jack Christie, 832.393.3017