Some good news and some bad news for liberals. First the good: A new study finds that the death rate is rising among middle-aged whites (aka, the enemy). The bad — make that horrendous — news is that a referendum vote Tuesday on the LGBT-friendly Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, or HERO, failed by a wide margin.
From the Houston Chronicle:
The hotly contested election has spurred national attention, drawing comment from the White House and the state’s top officials. Largely conservative opponents of the law allege that it would allow men dressed as women, including sexual predators, to enter women’s restrooms. Supporters of the law, including Mayor Annise Parker, argue that it extends an important local recourse for a range of protected classes to respond to discrimination.
The vote, on Proposition 1, effectively repeals the ordinance, which the Houston City Council passed in May of last year on an 11-6 ballot.
From a purely legal standpoint, the far-reaching law was redundant, banning discrimination against 13 classes already protected under federal law: sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy and genetic information, as well as family, marital or military status.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick delivered a statement that was captured on video:
Supporters, for that part, released a written statement reading:
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. Everyone should have the freedom to work hard, earn a decent living and provide for themselves and their families.
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