Yes, We Need a HERO: Houstonians Unite to Save the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance
The November ballot fight over the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) could go either way, according to the manager of the campaign in support of the law.
But Richard Carlbom, of Houston Unites, said he’s optimistic that a majority of the voters will say “Yes” to HERO on November 3, upholding the city’s ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and 13 other characteristics.
A coalition of progressive groups—led by the ACLU of Texas, Equality Texas, Freedom For All Americans, the Human Rights Campaign, the NAACP Houston Branch, and the Texas Freedom Network—launched Houston Unites in mid-August, shortly after the City Council placed HERO on the ballot in response to a ruling from the Texas Supreme Court.
“This is going to be a really, really, really hard campaign,” said Carlbom, a veteran organizer who led the successful effort to defeat a same-sex marriage ban in Minnesota in 2012. “Either side could win. Where I place my confidence is that Houstonians will understand what’s at stake, will break through the horrible garbage that the other side is going to spew at them, and really have a fruitful conversation about the values of this city.
Read more: http://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2015/09/yes-we-need-a-hero-houstonians-unite-to-save-the-houston-equal-rights-ordinance/