The deafest of Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), legislation that would allow transgender people to use the bathroom of their preference, has brought about differing reactions.
The Rev. Franklin Graham called the ordinance’s failure a “victory and great news.” Graham, who leads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said that the referendum was “outrageous.” He noted that it was rejected by a close to 2-to-1 margin despite support from influential politicians.
One such high profile politician who endorsed the legislation, Hillary Clinton, argued the lopsided vote against was due to an emotional response provoked by the right wing. Speaking with MSNBC moderator Rachel Maddow at a Democratic candidates forum, Clinton weighed in, saying the far right created “fear and anxiety” to defeat the ordinance.
President Barack Obama had also endorsed the ordinance, but some in the LGBT community feel that another high profile endorsement may have helped their cause.
Houston activist Carlos Maza attempted to reach out to Beyoncé to try to get her support for the ordinance. The singer is originally from Houston, but she would not help the cause.
The hashtag #BeyBeAHero was created to try to recruit the award-winning entertainer to the cause, but she did not respond in time.
A disappointed Maza blogged:
It wouldn’t have taken more than a single Instagram post. She would have inserted herself as a real, active ally, proving her support for the LGBT community is more than mere lip service.
The Houston City Council had previously approved HERO by a vote of 11 to 6. The ordinance amended chapters 2, 15, and 17 of Houston’s Code of Ordinances, prohibiting discrimination in public facilities and private employment on the basis of protected characteristics such as race, color, age, and gender identity.
A total of 17,269 signatures were needed to repeal HERO, and groups such as Texas Values Action turned in an estimated combined total of 50,000 signatures, dooming the ordinance.
