FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Anna Núñez, Communications Coordinator, ACLU of Texas, 713-942-8146, ext. 110, [email protected]
HOUSTON – Today, the jury reached a verdict regarding the validity of signatures contesting the City of Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO). In May 2014, Houston City Council approved HERO, a law banning discrimination in housing, city employment, city services and contracting practices, and in public housing and public employment. Only religious institutions were exempt. A state district judge sent the case in January to a jury trial where the jurors’ sole responsibility was to review signatures submitted by opponents, and not to examine the ordinance merits.
The following statement can be attributed to Terri Burke, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas:
"Fairness, diversity, and opportunity define this great city, which is why the ACLU of Texas strongly supports HERO. We look forward to the day it is fully implemented in Houston because every resident of our city deserves to be protected from unfair discrimination, whether on the basis of sexual orientation, race, gender, or religion.”
Read why the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance preserves religious liberty:
May 23, 2014, Op-Ed, by Rebecca L. Robertson, Legal and Policy Director, ACLU of Texas, Houston Chronicle:
http://m.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Robertson-Proposed-ordinance-doesn-t-create-5501302.php
Read more about the ACLU’s work on HERO:
The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance Protects You
http://www.aclutx.org/2014/06/20/the-houston-equal-rights-oridnance-protects-you/
