Today, October 29, the White House issued a statement in support of Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance, reaffirming support for laws that protect Americans from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
White House spokesperson Jeff Tiller told BuzzFeed:
While the Administration generally does not take a formal position on specific proposals or initiatives, the President and Vice PrFesident have been strong supporters of state and local efforts to protect Americans from being discriminated against based on who they are and who they love. We’re confident that the citizens of Houston will vote in favor of fairness and equality.
Freedom for All Americans thanks the Obama administration for its continued strong support of LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination and urges Houston to vote YES on Proposition 1, which would protect Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO). HERO protects residents from discrimination based on fifteen different categories, including race, age, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Freedom for All Americans’ Executive Director Matt McTighe said today:
“The White House’s support for Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance adds to this Administration’s record supporting fairness and equality for all Americans. In 2015 America, who you are or what you look like should have no bearing on how you’re treated. But cities across the country–including cities like Houston–still lack clear protections to make this idea a reality. As we close in on election day, I join the Administration’s hopefulness that Houstonians will vote decisively in support of Proposition 1.”
– Matt McTighe, Executive Director
Houston is the largest city in America that does not already have nondiscrimination protections for LGBT people. The majority of discrimination claims (56%) filed with the city of Houston over the last year have been based on race, with 17% based on gender and pregnancy.
