One might not expect anything to bring the two parties together, least of all HERO, which has been fought tooth and nail by a group of local conservatives. This is the first time the two organizations have ever participated in a joint effort; in fact, they are the only two-party organizations in Houston working together.

The leadership displayed by HSYD and LCRH can teach us all a valuable lesson, not just about cooperation and collaboration, but also about HERO. As James Lee, president of HSYD stated, “We have come together, despite our differences, because the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance is more important than party affiliation.”

“It is always good when people can come together on a bipartisan basis to come to good legislation,” added Michael Baker, the Vice President of LCRH.

The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance reads: “Houston seeks to provide an environment that is free of any type of discrimination based on sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, familial status, marital status, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or pregnancy.”

HERO is for all Houstonians, including Democrats and Republicans, so it makes sense the two organizations would work together to protect it at the ballot box this November.

As Michael explained, HERO is something that will be beneficial for all Houstonians and the Houston economy.

“HERO is a business friendly policy which gives those who are discriminated against a local, swift solution that allows people with legitimate grievances an avenue to address discrimination complaints without the involvement of federal courts and costly, time consuming litigation.”

Since May 2024–from the approval of HERO to the recent Texas Supreme Court ruling requiring HERO to be repealed or put to a public vote–President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, Bob Harvey, has continuously supported HERO, arguing that it is good for both business and equality.

“We at the Partnership believe an ordinance that codifies our principles of non-discrimination is entirely appropriate,” Mr. Harvey stated during a public testimony at City Hall. “We have worked closely with other business associations, the Mayor, and members of City Council to help draft an ordinance that will be both effective and efficient – one that will neither require new staff at City Hall nor place an undue burden on Houston businesses – while speaking clearly to our values of respect for all Houstonians.”

Unfortunately, in order for HERO to remain in place Houstonians will have to vote in the November 3rd Mayoral Election. The ballot language for the ordinance will ask voters if they want the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. If you want Houston to keep the equal rights ordinance, you vote yes. If you want it repealed, you vote no.

This seems straightforward, but a vocal minority wants HERO to fail by confusing the public about what it really does. Smear campaigns, failed petition drives, and hate speech are the tactics of those against HERO. While supporters are coming together, putting aside the rhetoric and their own political ideologies for the betterment of Houston, the opposition is desperately trying to scare people into voting against HERO.

As the most ethnically and culturally diverse city in the nation, a city of 2.2 million people with varying beliefs, traditions, backgrounds and idiosyncrasies, it is time to move forward together. Houston is the only major city in the country and the only major city in Texas that does not have an equal rights ordinance of any kind.

The HSYD and LCRH put it plainly. “We believe that all Houstonians should have the right to live, work, and prosper in our great city, and HERO will provide them the ability to do just that.”

As of yesterday, HERO, which was passed by City Council in May 2024, will be placed on the November ballot in accordance with an order by the Texas Supreme Court.

HERO was passed to prohibit discrimination in housing, private employment and public accommodations. The ordinance protects 15 classes of Houstonians on the basis of sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, familial status, marital status, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, and pregnancy.

HERO protects literally everyone in Houston, which is fantastic since Clutch City is the most diverse city in the nation. The bad news is that if it is repealed, Houston will once again be the only major city in Texas and the nation without a non-discrimination policy.

Over the last year, HERO has been relentlessly attacked for its inclusion of the LGBT community, and opponents aren’t about to back down until HERO is voted down at the polls. This means opponents will stop at nothing to demonize and dehumanize LGBT Houstonians in the process.

On Monday, Carlos Maza, the LGBT Program Director of Media Matters, published a blog on the Huffington Post arguing that Beyoncé could help stop discrimination in her hometown by supporting HERO.

The same day, Maza’s blog was shared on a small student organizing Facebook group for the Texas Freedom Network (TFN).

Ismael Melendez, a student organizer in the Rio Grande Valley, came up with the hashtag #BeyBeAHERO. Aracely Garcia, a student organizer in Houston, created a soon-to-be-viral graphic. With the help of other activists, they got the message all over Twitter. Within 24 hours, several major media outlets started writing about Beyoncé’s chance to be a hero.

The quick action on the part of these activists has been overlooked by many, but should not be underestimated.

“Millennials are important for this election because we are young, passionate, and we are the future of our city,” said Ms. Garcia. “Local elections affect all of us more directly in our day to day lives than any other election. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it is that local policy shapes federal policy, so this is where our voice and our power really counts, where we can come together to create real change.”

Fewer than 20% of eligible voters actually turn out to vote in Houston elections, in a city of 2.2 million. Young people comprise a whopping 25% of the eligible electorate in Texas, holding a quarter of the power statewide. Just imagine what kind of power they hold in Houston if they turn out at the polls this November.

Aware of this, TFN activists are harnessing their power to get Beyoncé to publicly endorse HERO. They know her voice will bring an enormous amount of attention to the impact an equal rights ordinance will have in Houston, encouraging young people to get involved.

“Beyoncé’s support would put pressure on more businesses and high profile individuals to come out in favor of equal rights, a tactic that has proven successful in states like Indiana and Arizona,” explained Ali Gorczynski, a TFN field organizer. “Between the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four and other sporting events coming to town, the total revenue Houston stands to lose if HERO is repealed is in the ballpark of $800 million.”

By reaching out to Beyoncé, these activists are rallying organizations and Houstonians around HERO and bringing much needed attention to an election that would likely have been ignored by many. If a handful of college students can create the #BeyBeAHERO campaign in two days, there is no telling what they–and Bey–can do in an election that is three months away.

Don’t let Beyoncé off the hook–join the efforts by tweeting #BeyBeAHERO and share why you support a non-discrimination policy in Houston. You can also pledge to fight for HERO at Houston Unites. Lastly, visit HouEquality for factual, up-to-date information about HERO. When the time comes, go vote!

“We don’t care where you’re from, the color of your skin, your age, gender, physical limitations or who you love, we put Houston and Houstonians first,” Mayor Annise Parker, State of the City Address April 16, 2024

Late on Friday afternoon, District Judge Robert Schaffer ruled that opposition to Houston’s non-discrimination ordinance did not gather enough valid signatures in their petition to force a referendum on the ordinance.

The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), was passed by City Council on May 28th, 2024, and prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, familial status, marital status, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, and pregnancy. HERO was intended to protect all Houstonians and, as of Friday, the ordinance has gone into effect.

Opponents to HERO, a group of conservative activists and pastors, sued the city last summer when their petition was rejected for not meeting the minimum requirement of 17,269 valid signatures. The primary objection opposition has with the ordinance is that it includes sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes.

“This is a great victory in the courts, and a great day for civil rights in Houston, Texas,” said City Attorney Donna Edmundson. “The jury found for the City, and now the judge has found in favor of the City too.  I am gratified that the judge signed a final judgment rejecting the plaintiffs’ claims and confirming that their pro-discrimination referendum petition failed.”

Brad Pritchett, an organizer for HouEquality, explained that supporters hope HERO is finally here to stay, but they are also expecting opposition to appeal the court’s ruling.

“The time for juries, trials and petitions is over and it’s time for HERO to do what it was intended – protect Houstonians from discrimination. But opponents are now saying they will file with the Court of Appeals or try to take it straight to the Texas Supreme Court. Supporters in Houston have to be ready to fight for HERO at the ballot box at the drop of a hat, and we will be.”