2015 Houston, Texas Proposition 1

In 2014, neither U.S. federal law nor Texas statewide law specifically covered sexual orientation or gender identity in employment and housing discrimination and services. On May 28, 2014, the Houston City Council voted 11–6 to enact the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) which was authored by Houston's then-Mayor, Annise Parker.{{cite web|last= Wright |first= John |title= Opponents of Equal Rights Ordinance sue Mayor Annise Parker, city of Houston |date= 2014-08-06 |website= Lone Star Q |url= http://www.lonestarq.com/opponents-equal-rights-ordinance-sue-mayor-annise-parker-city-houston/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141019055217/http://www.lonestarq.com/opponents-equal-rights-ordinance-sue-mayor-annise-parker-city-houston/ |archive-date= 2014-10-19 |url-status= dead |quote= a lawsuit filed Tuesday by opponents of the city's Equal Rights Ordinance.}} The measure banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, family, marital, and military status. The ordinance applied to businesses that serve the public, private employers, housing, city employment and city contracting. Religious institutions would be exempt. Violators could be fined up to $5,000.{{cite news |title= Council passes equal rights ordinance |first= Mike |last= Morris |date= May 29, 2014 |access-date= 2017-06-27 |work= Houston Chronicle |url= http://www.chron.com/news/politics/houston/article/Council-passes-equal-rights-ordinance-5510672.php }} HERO took effect on June 27, 2014 and enforcement for it was suspended 6 days later on July 3, 2014.{{cite web |title=New Houston Equal Rights Ordinance Covers LGBTs and Contains Potential Criminal Penalties |url=https://www.thompsoncoe.com/resources/publications/new-houston-equal-rights-ordinance-covers-lgbts-and-contains-potential-criminal-penalties/ |access-date=March 14, 2025 |website=Thompson Coe}}

Opposition to HERO arose because the ordinance protected "transgender residents' ability to use the restroom consistent with their gender expression, regardless of their biological sex."{{cite news|last= Morris |first= Mike |title= Equal rights law opponents deliver signatures seeking repeal |date= 2014-07-03 |access-date= 2017-06-27 |newspaper= Houston Chronicle |url= http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/houston/article/Equal-rights-law-opponents-deliver-signatures-5599272.php?t=63159f4ad9cf61987c#/0}} HERO became known to some as the "Bathroom Law."{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/houston-hero-transgender-bathroom-law-390747|title=Houston Voters Reject 'Bathroom Law' That Aimed to Protect Civil Rights|date=November 4, 2015|website=Newsweek.com|access-date=January 12, 2018}} Shortly after the ordinance passed, opponents of HERO drafted a petition and began gathering signatures to add a ballot measure to the November 2014 ballot to repeal the ordinance. City law required 17,296 valid signatures from registered Houston voters for a successful veto referendum petition, which would require the city council to either rescind the targeted ordinance themselves or put it before voters. This requirement was calculated by taking 10 percent of the greatest number of votes cast for mayor in any of the three preceding years. Moreover, signatures had to be submitted before the ordinance was scheduled to take effect or within 30 days of the publication of the approved ordinance, whichever came first. Opponents of HERO presented about 50,000 signatures to the Houston city secretary's office on July 3, 2014.

Although the city secretary found enough valid signatures to make the petition sufficient, the city attorney advised her of certain problems with enough of the petition sheets to invalidate the petition. These problems included signature gatherers who were not registered to vote and petition sheets that were not signed by the signature gatherer responsible for them, as well as other, more technical problems. The city announced that the opponents were 2,022 signatures short of the 17,269 needed to put the matter to a vote.{{cite news|title= Houston declares non-discrimination ordinance's repeal petition invalid |date= 2014-08-04 |access-date= 2017-06-27 |website= KTRK-TV Houston |url= http://abc13.com/politics/houston-declares-hero-repeal-petition-invalid/240139/ |quote= For this specific petition, a total of 17,269 signatures were needed. Feldman says the number of valid signatures submitted came to only 15,247.}}{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/10/17/357022015/houston-narrows-the-scope-of-controversial-subpoena-of-pastors-sermons|title=Houston Narrows The Scope Of Controversial Subpoena Of Pastors' Sermons|date=October 17, 2014|publisher=National Public Radio|author=Eyder Peralta|access-date=April 29, 2016}} HERO opponents filed a lawsuit{{cite web

|title= Anti-HERO Petition Lawsuit |date= 2014-08-04 |website= Scribd |url= https://www.scribd.com/doc/235983874/Anti-HERO-Petition-Lawsuit |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141019055217/http://www.scribd.com/doc/235983874/Anti-HERO-Petition-Lawsuit |archive-date= 2014-10-19 |url-status= live}} against Mayor Annise Parker and the city on August 5, 2014. In response, city attorneys defending the law filed subpoenas for sermons from local Christian pastors. Attorneys for the pastors called the subpoenas retaliation against Christians for opposing the ordinance. Parker maintained that the attorneys who dealt with the lawsuit for the city were outside lawyers (i.e., not city employees) and that she and City Attorney David Feldman had been unaware of the subpoenas. After what some news organizations called a "firestorm"{{cite news|title= Editorial: Houston went too far in sermon subpoenas |date= October 2014 |access-date= 2017-06-27 |newspaper= The Dallas Morning News |url= https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2014/10/21/editorial-houston-went-too-far-in-sermon-subpoenas |quote= Amid a firestorm of criticism}}{{cite journal|last= Weiss |first= Debra Cassens |title= Sermon subpoena request was overbroad, Houston mayor acknowledges |date= 2014-10-16 |access-date= 2017-06-27 |journal= ABA Journal |publisher= American Bar Association |url= http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/sermon_subpoena_request_was_overbroad_houston_mayor_acknowledges |quote= After a firestorm erupted over the subpoenas}} of criticism over the subpoenas (Parker said that she had been "vilified coast to coast"), Parker directed the city's attorneys on October 29, 2014, to withdraw the subpoenas.{{cite news|last= Gryboski |first= Michael |title= Houston Mayor Annise Parker Drops Subpoenas Demanding Pastors Turn Over Their Sermons |date= 2014-10-29 |access-date= 2017-06-27 |newspaper= The Christian Post |url= http://www.christianpost.com/news/mayor-annise-parker-drops-subpoenas-against-houston-pastors-128816/ |quote= I am directing the city legal department to withdraw the subpoenas issued to the five Houston pastors}}

After the subpoenas were withdrawn, local city pastors filed a civil rights lawsuit against Parker.{{cite news|url=http://abc13.com/news/pastors-sue-mayor-over-sermons-subpoenaed/900044/|publisher=ABC 13|date=August 3, 2015|access-date=April 29, 2016|title=Pastors sue Houston Mayor Parker over sermons subpoenaed}} The lawsuit went to trial on January 19, 2015. Feldman announced on December 19, 2014, his plans to resign from his position as Houston City Attorney shortly before the trial began. He said that the primary reason for his resignation was a desire to return to private practice. He also noted, however, that his decision to resign was related to the lawsuit as well, saying, "Being on the outside, I'm going to be a lot freer to tell the story and to explain it to people and to debunk the myth." As reported by the Houston Chronicle, Feldman noted, too, that if he testified in the trial as the city attorney, it would prohibit other attorneys from the city's legal department from serving as counsel for the city.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/houston-subpoenas-pastors-sermons-in-gay-rights-ordinance-case/2014/10/15/9b848ff0-549d-11e4-b86d-184ac281388d_story.html|title=Houston subpoenas pastors' sermons in gay rights ordinance case|first=Sarah Pulliam Bailey | last=Service|date=October 15, 2014|publisher=|access-date=January 12, 2018|via=www.WashingtonPost.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/City-Attorney-David-Feldman-to-resign-5969411.php#/0|title=City attorney cites equal rights ordinance in decision to resign|website=HoustonChronicle.com|access-date=January 12, 2018}} On February 13, 2015, a jury issued a verdict saying that while the petitions did not contain instances of fraud, they did contain forgeries and instances of failure to follow proper procedure. District Judge Robert Schaffer then initiated a recounting process to determine whether or not opponents of HERO had gathered enough valid signatures to satisfy the threshold of 17,296. Following the verdict in February, both sides claimed victory. A definitive answer, however, did not emerge until Judge Schaffer's ruling on April 17, 2015, when he determined that the opponents of the ordinance had not gathered enough valid signatures.{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/houston/article/After-mixed-verdict-city-confident-judge-in-ERO-6080715.php|title=After mixed verdict, city confident judge in ERO suit will rule in its favor|website=HoustonChronicle.com|date=February 14, 2015 |access-date=January 12, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://abc13.com/politics/judge-rules-in-favor-of-city-on-houstons-equal-rights-ordinance/666933/|title=Judge rules in favor of city on Houston's Equal Rights Ordinance|date=April 17, 2015|website=ABC13.com|access-date=January 12, 2018}}

In May 2015, opponents of the ordinance asked the Texas Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus against the city of Houston. On July 24, 2015, the court granted this petition and ruled that the Houston City Council should have honored the city secretary's initial signature count and must either repeal the ordinance or include it on the November 2015 ballot, writing in a per curiam opinion, "We agree ... that the city secretary certified their petition and thereby invoked the city council's ministerial duty to reconsider and repeal the ordinance or submit it to popular vote. The legislative power reserved to the people of Houston is not being honored."[http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2015/07/24/houston-equal-rights-ordinance-suspended.html Houston Equal Rights Ordinance suspended]

The original ballot language crafted by the City of Houston was also challenged in court. After the Texas Supreme Court threw out the original wording, the city revised the ballot language.{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/City-Council-signs-off-on-HERO-ballot-language-6467709.php|title=Language to appear on HERO ballot approved|website=HoustonChronicle.com|date=August 27, 2015 |access-date=January 12, 2018}}

The following question was placed on the 2015 general election ballot in Houston as Proposition 1:

{{blockquote

|text=Are you in favor of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, Ord. No. 2014-530, which prohibits discrimination in city employment and city services, city contracts, public accommodations, private employment, and housing based on an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, familial status, marital status, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or pregnancy?

}}

On November 3, 2015, Houston voters voted by a 61%–39% margin to reject Proposition 1.{{citation |title= Cumulative Report — Official Harris County, Texas — General and Special Elections — November 03, 2015 |work= Harris County Elections Office |date= November 11, 2015 |url= http://www.harrisvotes.com/HISTORY/20151103/cumulative/cumulative_9.jpg |access-date= December 12, 2015 |archive-date= December 22, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151222085138/http://www.harrisvotes.com/HISTORY/20151103/cumulative/cumulative_9.jpg |url-status= dead }} This vote overturned the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO).

A "YES" vote was a vote to retain the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance; a "NO" vote was a vote to repeal it.

Proposition 1 gained the support of various citizens and organizations.{{cite news |title= If You Think You Understand Houston's 'Bathroom Ordinance,' You Probably Don't |first= Zack |last= Ford |work= Think Progress |date= October 31, 2015 |publisher= Center for American Progress Action Fund |url= http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/10/31/3718110/houston-hero-endorsements/ }} The "YES" side raised $1,918,552 (as of December 4, 2015).{{Cite web|title = City of Houston Anti-Discrimination HERO Veto Referendum, Proposition 1 (November 2015) |url = https://ballotpedia.org/City_of_Houston_Anti-Discrimination_HERO_Veto_Referendum,_Proposition_1_(November_2015)|website = ballotpedia.org|access-date = 2016-02-12}}

{{Endorsements box

| title = Yes on Proposition 1

| list =

Individual endorsements

• Chris Bell, former U.S. Representative, former Houston City Council member, candidate for Mayor in 2001 and nominee for Governor of Texas in 2006{{cite news |title= Statement on HERO Ruling |first= Chris |last= Bell |work= Chris Bell for Houston Mayor |date= July 24, 2015 |format= press release |url= https://bellformayor.com/news/news-release-statement-on-hero-ruling |access-date= November 6, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151208043924/https://bellformayor.com/news/news-release-statement-on-hero-ruling |archive-date= December 8, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}
• Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Senator
• Stephen Costello, Houston City Council member{{cite news |title= Houston Mayoral Candidate Bill King Answers Your Questions |first= Michael |last= Hagerty |date= September 1, 2015 |work= Houston Matters |publisher= Houston Public Media |url= http://www.houstonmatters.org/segments/segment-a/2015/09/01/houston-mayoral-candidate-bill-king-answers-your-questions }}
• Wendy Davis, Former Texas State Senator and Texas gubernatorial candidate in 2014{{cite web|url=http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a5b04a26aae05a24bc4efb63e&id=416070e266&awesome=no&e#1|title=Wendy Davis REALLY hates to lose|website=Campaign-Archive2.com|access-date=January 12, 2018}}
• Adrian Garcia, former Harris County Sheriff and former Houston City Council member{{cite news |title= Mayoral candidates present platforms |work= The Rice Thresher |first= Jaecey |last= Parham |publisher= Rice University |date= September 16, 2015 |url= http://www.ricethresher.org/news/mayoral-candidates-present-platforms/article_2edcf374-5c99-11e5-b381-6fa632cbc8e3.html }}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Martin O'Malley, former Maryland Governor
• Barack Obama, U.S. President{{cite news |title= HERO's Heroes: White House, Apple, Bernie Sanders Back Houston Protections |first= Sunnivie |last= Brown |date= October 30, 2015 |work= The Advocate |publisher= Here Media |url= http://www.advocate.com/politics/2015/10/30/heros-heroes-white-house-apple-bernie-sanders-back-houston-protections }}
• Annise Parker, Houston mayor{{cite news |title= Council passes equal rights ordinance |first= Mike |last= Morris |work= Houston Chronicle |date= May 29, 2014 |url= http://www.chron.com/news/politics/houston/article/Council-passes-equal-rights-ordinance-5510672.php }}
• Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America
• Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator
• Sylvester Turner, State Representative and candidate for Mayor in 1991 and 2003{{cite news |title= I Support HERO |first= Sylvester |last= Turner |work= Sylvester Turner for Mayor |date= July 24, 2015 |url= http://www.sylvesterturner.com/i-support-hero/ |access-date= November 6, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151016171931/http://www.sylvesterturner.com/i-support-hero/ |archive-date= October 16, 2015 |url-status= dead }}
• Dustin Lance Black, screenwriter, director, film and television producer
• Matt Bomer, actor
• Adam Bouska, fashion photographer
• Jason Collins, athlete
• Sally Field, actress{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/breaking_houston_s_hero_equal_rights_ordinance|title=Houston's HERO Equal Rights Ordinance Will Likely Fail – And Big|website=TheNewCivilRightsMovement.com|date=November 4, 2015|access-date=January 12, 2018}}
• Chris Kluwe, athlete
• Marty McVey, private equity executive
• Jim Parsons, actor
• Michael Sam, athlete
• George Takei, actor

Organizations

• ACLU of Texas{{cite news |title= Houston is next battle in LGBT non-discrimination fight |work= Washington Blade |date= September 16, 2015 |first= Chris |last= Johnson |url= http://www.washingtonblade.com/2015/09/16/houston-is-next-battle-in-lgbt-non-discrimination-fight/ }}
• Apple Inc.
• BASF
• Equality Texas
• EMC Corporation
• General Electric
• Greater Houston Partnership{{cite news |title= Houston Newsmakers Sept. 27: Greater Houston Partnership Supports HERO |work= KPRC |date= September 27, 2015 |url= http://www.click2houston.com/community/newsmakers/houston-newsmakers-sept-27-greater-houston-partnership-supports-hero/35515292 |access-date= November 6, 2015 |archive-date= October 24, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151024184028/http://www.click2houston.com/community/newsmakers/houston-newsmakers-sept-27-greater-houston-partnership-supports-hero/35515292 |url-status= dead }}
• Harris County Democratic Party{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/harrisdemocrats/status/660517523482263552|title=Happy to have @Houston_Unites vols at the @harrisdemocrats hq making calls all weekend! #YesOnProp1 #houvotepic.twitter.com/s4pWtltZ6c|first=Harris|last=Democrats|date=October 31, 2015|website=Twitter.com|access-date=January 12, 2018}}
• Freedom For All Americans
• Hewlett Packard
• Houston GLBT Political Caucus{{cite web|url=http://www.thecaucus.org/the_caucus_issues_a_statement_on_hero|title=The Caucus Issues a Statement on HERO|website=TheCaucus.org|access-date=January 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208050207/http://www.thecaucus.org/the_caucus_issues_a_statement_on_hero|archive-date=December 8, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
• Houston Unites
• Human Rights Campaign
• NAACP Houston Branch
• Texas Freedom Network

}}

Proposition 1 was opposed by various citizens and organizations.{{cite news |title= Equal rights law opponents deliver signatures seeking repeal |work= Houston Chronicle |date= July 3, 2014 |first= Mike |last= Morris |url=

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/houston/article/Equal-rights-law-opponents-deliver-signatures-5599272.php?t=63159f4ad9cf61987c#/0 }} These included the Campaign for Houston, which was described as an anti-LGBT hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.{{cite web|url=http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2015/08/anti-gay-hate-group-in-houston-launches-new-website/|title=Anti-gay hate group launches new website|work=LGBTQ Nation}}{{cite web|url=https://www.campaignforhouston.com/|title=Campaign for Houston|work=campaignforhouston.com|access-date=November 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208082641/https://www.campaignforhouston.com/|archive-date=December 8, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2015/10/26/anti-lgbt-groups-ramp-transphobia-houston-vote|title=Anti-LGBT Groups Ramp Up Transphobia Before Houston Vote|work=Southern Poverty Law Center}} The "NO" side raised $398,472 (as of December 4, 2015).

{{Endorsements box

| title = No on Proposition 1

| list =

Individuals opposed

• Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas{{cite web|url=http://www.towleroad.com/2015/11/anti-gay-texas-gov-greg-abbott-comes-hero-gets-slammed-twitter/|title=Anti-Gay Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Comes Out Against HERO, Gets Slammed On Twitter - Towleroad|date=November 2, 2015|website=Towleroad.com|access-date=January 12, 2018}}
• Art Aguilar, candidate for Houston Community College Trustee Election Trustee District III in 2015
• Kendall Baker, candidate for Houston City Council member in 2015
• Manny Barrera, candidate for Houston City Council member in 2015
• Jim Bigham, candidate for Houston City Councilmember in 2015
• Jack Christie, Houston City Council member
• Florida Cooper, candidate for Houston Community College Trustee Election Trustee District II in 2015
• Abel Davila, candidate for Houston City Council member in 2015
• Diana Davila, candidate for Houston Independent School District Trustee Election District VIII in 2015
• Willie R. Davis, candidate for Houston City Council member in 2015
• Vince Duncan, candidate for Houston City Council member in 2015
• Bill Frazer, candidate for Houston City Controller
• Herlinda Garcia, candidate for Houston City Council member in 2015
• Franklin Graham, pastor{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/franklin-graham-applauds-defeat-of-houston-lgbt-nondiscrimination-ordinance-149383/|title=Franklin Graham Applauds Defeat of Houston LGBT Nondiscrimination Ordinance|website=www.ChristianPost.com|date=November 7, 2015 |access-date=January 12, 2018}}
• Ben Hall, attorney, former Houston City Attorney and candidate for Mayor in 2013{{cite web|url=http://www.benhallforhouston.com/page/hero2|title=Ben Hall for Mayor of Houston - Hero|website=www.BenHallForHouston.com|access-date=January 12, 2018}}
• Steven F. Hotze, president of Campaign for Houston{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignforhouston.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/CAMPAIGN-FOR-HOUSTON-Sample-Ballot-for-Early-Voting.pdf|title=Sample Ballot|website=CampaignForHouston.com|access-date=January 12, 2018}}
• Carl Jarvis, candidate for Houston City Council member in 2015
• Bill King, attorney and former Mayor of Kemah
• Mike Knox, candidate for Houston City Council member in 2015
• Michael Kubosh, Houston City Council member
• Steve Le, candidate for Houston City Council member in 2015{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignforhouston.com/sample-ballot|title=Sample Ballot – Campaign for Houston|website=www.CampaignForHouston.com|access-date=January 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113151711/http://campaignforhouston.com/sample-ballot|archive-date=January 13, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
• Ann McCoy, candidate for Houston Independent School District Trustee Election District IV in 2015
• Sandie Moger, candidate for Houston City Council member in 2015
• Roy Morales, candidate for Houston City Council member in 2015
• Dan Patrick, Lieutenant Governor of Texas{{cite web|url=http://www.towleroad.com/2015/11/texas-lt-gov-dan-patrick-applauds-discrimination-death-of-hero-in-disgusting-speech-watch/|title=Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Applauds Discrimination, Death of #HERO in Disgusting Speech: WATCH - Towleroad|date=November 4, 2015|website=Towleroad.com|access-date=January 12, 2018}}
• Manuel Rodriguez, Houston Independent School District Trustee, District III
• Brenda Stardig, Houston City Council member
• Evelyn Thompson, candidate for Houston City Council member in 2015
• Jared Woodfill, former chairman of the Harris County Republican Party{{cite web|url=https://www.campaignforhouston.com/contact-us|title=Contact Us|website=CampaignForHouston.com|access-date=January 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825061134/http://campaignforhouston.com/contact-us|archive-date=August 25, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
• Lance Berkman, athlete{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdqfv9aGbgM|title=Campaign for Houston - Lance Berkman|last=Campaign for Houston|date=September 28, 2015|publisher=|access-date=January 12, 2018|via=YouTube}}
• Bob McNair, Houston Texans owner{{cite news |title= Texans Owner Donates $10,000 To Fight LGBT Protections In Houston |first= Lindsay |last= Gibbs |date= October 16, 2015 |work= Think Progress |publisher= Center for American Progress Action Fund |url=

http://thinkprogress.org/sports/2015/10/16/3713392/texans-owner-lgbt-rights/ }}

Organizations

• Baptist Ministers Association of Houston and Vicinity
• Family Research Council
• The Heritage Foundation

}}

On November 10, President Barack Obama officially announced his support for the Equality Act of 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-supports-altering-civil-rights-act-to-include-gender-discrimination/2015/11/10/3a05107e-87c8-11e5-9a07-453018f9a0ec_story.html|title=Obama supports altering Civil Rights Act to ban LGBT discrimination|first=Juliet|last=Eilperin|date=November 10, 2015|publisher=|access-date=January 12, 2018|via=www.WashingtonPost.com}}

Houston Mayor Annise Parker stated: "I fear that this will have stained Houston's reputation as a tolerant, welcoming, global city. I absolutely fear that there will be a direct economic backlash as a result of this ordinance going into defeat and that's sad for Houston."{{cite news |title= Human Rights Campaign presses NFL, Roger Goodell over LGBT issue in Houston |date= November 5, 2015 |first= Cindy |last= Boren |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2015/11/05/human-rights-campaign-presses-nfl-roger-goodell-over-lgbt-issue-in-houston/ }}

Sylvester Turner, who ran against Bill King in the 2015 Houston mayoral runoff election, said he is "100 percent" committed to reenacting Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) and attacked Bill King for saying he won't revisit the issue of HERO, along with his support from the Campaign for Houston.{{cite web|url=http://www.sylvesterturner.com/100-percent-committed-to-a-city-without-discrimination/|title=100 Percent Committed to a City Without Discrimination - Sylvester Turner|date=November 29, 2015|website=SylvesterTurner.com|access-date=January 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824025259/http://www.sylvesterturner.com/100-percent-committed-to-a-city-without-discrimination/|archive-date=August 24, 2017|url-status=dead}} On December 12, 2015, Sylvester Turner beat Bill King and won the 2015 Houston mayoral runoff election.{{cite web|url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/houston-mayoral-results-in-runoff-election|title=Sylvester Turner wins Houston mayoral runoff election|website=www.Click2Houston.com|date=December 13, 2015|access-date=January 12, 2018}}

On November 22, 2015, the National Collegiate Athletic Association said it would reconsider procedures in how it selects host cities for tournaments and championship events to include protections for the LGBT community.{{cite web|url=http://www.outsports.com/2015/11/22/9780662/ncaa-lgbt-host-cities-houston-indianapolis|title=NCAA to consider anti-LGBT laws when picking hosts|website=OutSports.com|date=November 22, 2015|access-date=January 12, 2018}}

In reaction, the NFL announced it would not alter plans to have the city host Super Bowl LI.{{cite web | title=NFL won't alter Houston Super Bowl plans after city's repeal of non-discrimination law | first=Charles | last=Robinson | url= https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl-won-t-alter-houston-super-bowl-plans-after-city-s-repeal-of-non-discrimination-law-223940728.html | work =Yahoo! Sports | date=November 4, 2015 | access-date=November 5, 2015}} Website Outsports claimed that the outcome of the vote could mean that "Houston is no longer a 'safe place' for LGBT people to visit or do business, as they can be turned away from a hotel or by a waiter or cab driver, simply for 'looking or acting' gay or being trans".{{cite news |title= NFL says it will not withdraw Super Bowl from Houston |first= Cyd |last= Zeigler |work= Out Sports |publisher= Vox Media, Inc. |date= November 4, 2015 |url= http://www.outsports.com/2015/11/4/9671662/nfl-super-bowl-houston-lgbt-hero }}

• LGBT rights in Texas
• Politics of Houston

{{Portal bar|Texas|LGBTQ|Politics}}

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{{LGBT culture in Houston}}

{{LGBT in Texas}}

{{2015 United States elections}}

Category:2015 in Houston

Houston, Texas Proposition 1

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Category:2015 in LGBTQ history

Category:LGBTQ law in the United States