When one visits the website for Grace Community Church, a mega-church in Southeast Houston, it’s easy to form an initial impression that it is a community which is welcoming and loving to all. They proudly proclaim the slogan “Everybody needs a little grace!”
But those impressions couldn’t be further from the truth, as there is lots of ugliness going on within the walls of this congregation. Local political activist Kris Banks decided to attend a rally at Grace for those against the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, and what he found there was pretty awful. Banks says many in the crowd openly laughed when transgender people were mentioned, and some even called the community an “abomination”.
Even after his 2 hour town hall with members of the LGBT community and supposed friendship with Jenifer Rene Pool, Council Member Michael Kubosh was at this rally clapping right along to the hate speech against the transgender community. Kubosh even says to the crowd that “God put him on Council to fight this ordinance.”
Well clearly after statements like the one above, there’s no further mystery about how Kubosh plans to vote. On a personal note, I never voted for Kubosh or supported his campaign, but was willing to attend the town hall and hope that he would be open-minded on these issues. I was dead wrong.
But just in case he or anyone else needs a reminder, here’s an audio clip of Kubosh’s meeting with the LGBT community. He sure didn’t tell us that God sent him to defeat equality.
Houston City Council Member Brenda Stardig has finally revealed how she plans to vote on the proposed Equal Rights ordinance. In a District A newsletter, here’s what she said about the proposed ordinance…
Thank you for your recent email about the proposed equal rights ordinance. While most Houstonians and I agree that discrimination of any kind is wrong, this proposed ordinance does nothing more than duplicate existing laws, add bureaucracy, and highlight the city’s endless overstepping of their jurisdiction.
The real question is not whether or not someone should be discriminated against. The real question is: What is the proper role of municipal government? Cities are created to provide basic services such as water, sewer, fire and police protection, and infrastructure. Cities are not created to govern comprehensive issues like discrimination. We have different levels of government for a reason, and it is imperative that each level does not exceed their jurisdiction.
If passed, this ordinance would create a new bureaucracy for the city to address discrimination complaints. Houston would have to expand government to handle the same issues already funded for and overseen by the state and federal government. It is incomprehensible to me how the city can waste our time and your tax dollars to duplicate these services. There are still pot holes, road repairs, and additional police and fire needs to which your city tax dollars should be allocated.
Cities should stick to what they were created to do. I was elected to represent my district on city matters, and I will not stand for the city overstepping their authority.
Sincerely,
Brenda Stardig
Houston City Council Member, District A
It’s not exactly a surprise that Stardig would choose to vote against the ordinance. After all, she did just reclaim her seat from Fringe-Right phenomenon Helena Brown.Butof all the issues for Stardig to choose to prove her ‘Conservative’ bonafides, this is a choice that could ultimately come back to haunt her. Groups like the Log Cabin Republicans of Houston, which endorsed the Council Member and were some of her strongest supporters and campaign volunteers in the 2013 election against Brown, are reconsidering those actions now. Here’s what the organization had to say in a press release…
The Log Cabin Republicans was shocked and saddened to hear about Council Member Stardig’s statement of opposition to the proposed Equal Rights Ordinance. The ordinance, which would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, is a fair minded and solid proposal.
Council Member Stardig’s recent statement of opposition is based on the falsehood that these protections already exist in federal law. As it stands any Houstonian can be fired for no other reason than being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
It saddens us that despite receiving our endorsement, hearing the stories of those who have faced discrimination, and telling us that she did not believe in discrimination, Council Member Stardig has stood up for the right to discriminate.
We call on Council Member Stardig to reconsider her opposition which stands on the wrong side of history and equality.
Stardig’s decision may seem sensible in the short-term, but it’s a foregone conclusion that equality is supported by young adults across the political spectrum. From ultra Liberal to staunch Conservative, they believe in the rights of anyone to be protected from discrimination, and have the same opportunities as anyone else. As more Millennials become regular members of the voting citizenry, politicians should consider carefully how they treat these issues. This will be a campaign issue for Brenda Stardig.
For more on this and other NDO developments, check out coverage from Texpatriate and Off the Kuff.
Today is a very big day in the progress towards Houston’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance (aka the Equal Rights Ordinance or Human Rights Ordinance). If you support equality for all Houstonians, then please consider attending today’s meeting at Houston City Hall. The Quality of Life Committee will convene at 2pm, but there is also a rally that begins at 1:15pm in front of City Hall. This session is the best opportunity for the public to comment for or against the ordinance.
Even if you cannot make today’s events, there’s still time to contact your 6 City Council Members. Houston residents are each represented by 1 District Council Member, and 5 Members At-Large.
As was written previously, the other side is working hard to defeat this ordinance, but they can be defeated by a clear majority of citizen support. We’re so close to making the Bayou City a better, safer city for everyone. Don’t let them win!!
