Houston Equal Rights Ordinance Fails

[Oliviah]

So today is election day.  This election has been brutal on all trans people.  We have been the scapegoat whipping post for the opposition to equal rights.  Endless yard signs with No men in the women's restroom.  Commercials on radio and TV that can only be described as fear mongering bigotry.  Men following little girls into the restroom, and attacking them.

Having friends tell you they don't support the law. 

Houston vote itself was clear, and the reason why is also clear.  No men in the women's restroom.  I expect a TX bill to require all public restrooms be based on genetic information with bounties anytime now.

It is sad to have 70% of your fellow citizens hate you publicly.  At least this election is over.

[Colleen M]

On the bright side, at least we're not surprised about the election result.  Disappointed, sad, and disgusted, but not surprised. 

[Jill F]

This is why we need our equal protection under the law guaranteed at the federal level.

I mean, let's face it- there are jurisdictions in this country that would undoubtledly legalize lynching again if it could be made so by a popular vote.  Hmmm... why can't they? /snark

[bmapwv]

Meanwhile... in Houston cops are " ... hunting a man feared to have coaxed the youngster into the toilets of a busy shop and then assaulted her."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/cops-say-12-year-old-6765302#rlabs=2%20rt$sitewide%20p$2

[Jenna Marie]

The sad thing is, this only guarantees that there WILL be men in the women's restroom - trans men, who will surely be miserable about it, and possibly attacked and/or suffer transphobia despite this being the intended result of the law.

[JenSquid]

I'm disappointed by this, and bothered a lot more than I expected to be, but I'm not surprised. The South can be pretty backwards. I wasn't planning on going to Texas before, and I'm definitely not now.
Honestly, I hope this gives Houston's reputation a black eye the way Indiana's bill did.

This is why we need our equal protection under the law guaranteed at the federal level.

Agreed.

I mean, let's face it- there are jurisdictions in this country that would undoubtledly legalize lynching again if it could be made so by a popular vote.

I wish this was hyperbole. I know it's not.

[Eva Marie]

Having lived in Texas for many, many years the outcome of this vote does NOT surprise me one iota. Lots of people there with very strong opinions about things and an unfortunate tendency to not care very much about facts. I wonder if the people there realize that a lot of companies will now avoid Houston because of this decision? Tourism might suffer too if conventions get held elsewhere.

Honestly, I hope this gives Houston's reputation a black eye the way Indiana's bill did.

Yep, a punch in the wallet would get their attention. I'd love to see some negative economic results come out of this.

[KathyLauren]

Yep, a punch in the wallet would get their attention. I'd love to see some negative economic results come out of this.

A pressure point might be any large organizations that might be planning to hold conventions there.  They should, for the safety and well-being of their trans members, avoid holding their conventions in Houston.  That would cost the city a few bucks.