2,000 turn out to oppose Houston ordinance; vote expected on Wednesday

Our Houston-area correspondent Bonnie Pritchett says around 2,000 people showed up today (May 13) to voice opposition to Houston Mayor Annise Parker’s proposed nondiscrimination ordinance—including pastors representing Houston’s wide ethnic diversity and a large group of African American leaders including NAACP representatives.

The proposed ordinance is on the agenda for a vote during Wednesday’s meeting (May 14), but Pritchett says several council members seemed less firm in their support than before. We will post a story late tomorrow or on Thursday following the council meeting. 

Apparently, the section pertaining to open use of public restrooms and showers for transgendered people was scrapped because of wide public opposition. 

“We should not have to be here,” Max Miller, president of the Baptist Ministers’ Association of Houston and Vicinity and pastor of Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church, told council members. 

According to Mount Hebron’s website, Miller has served on the Mayor’s Ministerial Advisory Committee and is a member of the NAACP Houston chapter. 

He said the proposed ordinance insults the intelligence of those who fought for and are protected by the Civil Rights Act. Miller said advocates of the ordinance have charged opponents with being divisive. Pointing to the crowd, Miller said, “As you have seen, we stand together.”