Tag Archives: San Antonio LGBT ordinance

Equality, Texas Politics

Van de Putte, Taylor Face Off For San Antonio Mayor

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Last Saturday’s highly contested municipal election in San Antonio produced an historic result, as two female minority politicians advance to a run-off for the city’s top job, besting all of their numerous male contenders.  Here’s the story from Patrick Svitek of the Texas Tribune…

Former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte is set to face San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor in a runoff for the city’s top job.

[…]

It was the first step in determining who would permanently replace Julián Castro, who resigned as mayor last year to become President Obama’s secretary of housing and urban development.

The results mark a reversal of fortune for Van de Putte, who just months ago was trounced in the lieutenant governor’s race by Republican Dan Patrick. Talking to reporters late Saturday, she said speaking with voters across the state last year drew her even closer to San Antonio.

Former State Senator Van de Putte was the top vote-getter in last Saturday’s election, but Taylor came in as a very close second.  With the run-off set for June 13th in what will surely be a very light turnout, anything is possible for this run-off.

It will be of particular interest to see how Progressive Politics comes into play for the mayoral election.  There couldn’t be a more clear difference between the two politicians than LGBT rights.  Where Van de Putte has stood time and again in favor of marriage equality and comprehensive non-discrimination laws, Taylor famously voted against San Antonio’s Non-Discrimination ordinance.  In recent weeks doubled down on her views, calling debate over the measure a waste of time.  Given how rapidly viewpoints are shifting  across the state of Texas, it will be very interesting to see if these recent comments come back to haunt Taylor.

While it’s true that Taylor has pledged not to harm the NDO if elected to serve a full mayoral term, it is important for San Antonio voters to know that on LGBT issues, this campaign represents a very clear choice.  Let’s all hope that Alamo City voters choose wisely on June 13th.

 

 

(Feature photo credit:  San Antonio Current)

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Houston Non-Discrimination Ordiance: Updates

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Perhaps better than any of her predecessors, Houston Mayor Annise Parker knows that discrimination is a real issue for the LGBT community. She was a Past President of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, and her activism is remembered from civic protests to consultation in the landmark Lawrence V. Texas case. And of course, the mayor’s recent wedding to her long-time partner is still illegal in her home state, pending further court decisions.

Given this history, it was especially heartening to hear Parker, in her 3rd and final inaugural address as Mayor, pledge that the time has come to pass a comprehensive, LGBT inclusive Non-Discrimination ordinance (AKA Human Rights Ordinance) in Houston.

Other Houstonians say that it’s time as well. Texans Together Education Fund, an organization founded to increase civic engagement in underserved communities, has started a petition to get the ordinance passed, and whose members are actively lobbying to bring it forth to City Council. Unlike years past, Non-Discrimination has now mobilized Houston’s progressive community to the point where it will impossible for municipal government to ignore. And of course, Houston has a nearby example with San Antonio’s recent NDO, led by Mayor Julian Castro.

But it appears that even the planned ordinance for Houston will not include *direct* discrimination protections for those working in the private sector (which of course is the majority of the workforce). Here’s what Parker had to say on Houston Matters earlier this week…

Craig Cohen: When can we expect a comprehensive Non-Discrimination Ordinance that protects all Houstonians regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and will such an ordinance protect those employed in the Private Sector?

Mayor Parker: I hope to have it passed by the end of May. It will affect the Private Sector in as much as if they do business with the City of Houston. It will affect the Private Sector if they operate public accommodations or multi-family housing. But the first draft I’m working on does not apply to the Private Sector otherwise.

Why can’t this first version of the ordinance include private employment? In short, the answer is simple politics. Sources say the Houston ordinance will lose votes on Council if it affects private employers. It’s true that any step is a step forward, especially in these times of heightened contention in politics. But if a Council Member wants to allow discrimination to continue, they deserve to be put on record with a vote. Instead of protecting them, Parker and her administration should let them deal with the Progressive community’s ire. Texas Leftist cannot confirm at this time which persons are against equal protection, but if that information is ever revealed, it will surely be passed along via this blog. As for now, we’ll wait to see what develops this May.