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Houston's LGBT, equal rights ordinance rejected by voters

By Ed Adamczyk

HOUSTON, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Houston voters defeated a comprehensive and controversial equal rights ordinance, which would have banned discrimination based on a number of factors, including sexual orientation.

On Tuesday, voters opted against Proposition 1 -- known as the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, or HERO -- by a margin of 62 percent to 38 percent.

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Though the law would have banned discrimination against a large variety of groups, including age, religion and religion, it was largely seen as an LGBT issue.

The city council approved the measure in May 2014. In July the Texas Supreme Court ordered either a repeal of the law or a ballot referendum, and the campaigns for and against the ordinance drew twice as many voters to the polls Tuesday as the Houston mayoral race of six years ago did.

Supporters promoted the measure as a protection of a broad range of residents, including the gay, transgendered and veteran populations. Under the law, for example, transgender people would be allowed to use the restroom of their choice.

Opponents argued the ordinance would allow male sexual predators to dress as women and enter women's public restrooms.

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President Barack Obama, Houston Mayor Annise Parker and some Hollywood celebrities, including actress Sally Field, voiced their support of the law. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and former Houston Astros outfielder Lance Berkman were among those who actively campaigned against it.

A statement Tuesday from supporters of the ordinance read "We are disappointed with today's outcome, but our work to secure nondiscrimination protections for all hard-working Houstonians will continue. No one should have to live with the specter of discrimination hanging over them."

Patrick noted Tuesday that "The supporters of this proposition brought in movie stars and elites from Washington, D.C., and Hollywood to try to force their twisted agenda on the good people of Texas. It didn't work and advocates of this ridiculous proposal are on notice tonight that the voters of Houston will not stand for this kind of liberal nonsense."

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