During public testimony before the Houston City Council on Tuesday, religious-right activists and spokespeople railed against the proposed Equal Rights Ordinance. The ordinance would protect Houstonians — regardless of race, gender, religion, military status and a long list of other characteristics — from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. But religious-right activists focused their opposition almost exclusively on […]
civil and equal rights
Houston City Council Requests an Encore: Speak in Support of the Equal Rights Ordinance
Yesterday the Houston City Council’s Quality of Life Committee heard the first public comments on the mayor’s proposed Equal Rights Ordinance, which bars discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. Guess what happened? Supporters outnumbered opponents more than two-to-one, with an especially strong showing in support from Houston’s religious community. That’s what we call a […]
Tell the Houston City Council: Pass the Equal Rights Ordinance
Heads up, Houston: you’re on the verge of joining other major Texas cities in passing an equal rights ordinance. If it passes, Houstonians will finally be protected from discrimination in employment, housing and public services. But we’ve got some work to do, and that’s where you come in. This Wednesday, April 30, the Houston City Council’s Quality of […]
Not All Barriers Are Created Equal, Apparently
Earlier today, San Antonio Express-News reporter Kolten Parker live-tweeted a meeting of the paper’s editorial board with the three Republican candidates in the state Senate District 25 race. Here’s a picture: At @mySA editorial board meeting with @DonnaCampbellTX, Mike Novak and @Elisa_Chan, candidates for #SD25 #txlege pic.twitter.com/Vk7VHRmgeh — Kolten Parker (@KoltenParker) January 24, 2014 The […]
Awaiting History's Judgment
Sadly, history often repeats itself, especially when it comes to discrimination. The debate over the Boy Scouts of America’s now-postponed decision about whether to end a blanket ban on gay scouts is just another example — and a number of Texas politicians have chosen to put their names clearly on the wrong side of history. […]
