It’s American tradition that Labor Day marks the unofficial “end” of summer (if such a thing can exist in Houston) and the start of high campaign season.  Though there’s not a Presidential or Gubernatorial race on the ballot this year, this holds true for residents of the Bayou City.

But municipal leaders are not the only question facing area voters this November.  Last Saturday over 150 volunteers gathered at The Montrose Center to launch the field campaign to protect the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, formally known as Houston Unites.  The group is an unprecedented partnership among the ACLU of Texas, Equality Texas, Freedom for All Americans, the Human Rights Campaign, NAACP Houston Branch, the Texas Freedom Network and a bevy of political activists, public servants and volunteers.  Here’s more from the group’s website…

DISCRIMINATION HAS NO PLACE IN HOUSTON

Houston Unites is the coalition working to elevate the diversity of voices supporting HERO. No Houstonian should be discriminated against based on race, age, military status, sexual orientation or gender identity. That’s a core value Houstonians share, and that’s why HERO’s passage a year ago was supported by more than 80 current and former elected officials, community and non-profit organizations, major corporations, and more than 70 local faith leaders.

In the most diverse city in America, we believe that everyone should be treated fairly, no matter who they are. That’s a core value Houstonians share.

Facing a mountain of money from the opposition, it’s going to take lots of hard work and dedication to energize and turn out voters who will support Proposition 1… the ballot measure which will either uphold or defeat the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance.  But if the first field event was any indication, the Houston Unites group is up to the challenge.   In just a few hours, ‘HOUniters’ knocked over 1,200 doors and placed 6,000 phone calls all encouraging voters to show up on Election Day and vote Yes on Prop 1.  Even with the money disadvantage, commitment like theirs is going to be tough to beat.

This Election Day, be sure to Vote Yes on Proposition 1.  And if you’re like me and prefer to do your voting ahead of the longer lines, check out this year’s Harris County Early Voting information.  Early voting for the 2015 Elections runs from October 19th through October 30th.

But before you hit the voting booth, consider volunteering with the Houston Unites campaign.  Every hour that you can commit to knocking doors or making phone calls will bring Houston closer to having needed local protections from discrimination, and truly being the city that all Houstonians deserve.

On September 5th, over 150 volunteers gathered to campaign for Houston Unites and encourage voters to vote yes on City of Houston Proposition 1.