Houston Mayor Annise Parker Says Fight Is Not Over

Houston's mayor says the fight is not over in the wake of a defeat by voters of an ordinance that would have established nondiscrimination protections for gay and transgender people.

The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance was soundly rejected by a vote of 61 percent to 39 percent. The defeat came after a nearly 18-month battle in the nation's fourth-largest city that spawned rallies, legal fights and accusations of both religious intolerance and demonization of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Mayor Annise Parker, who is gay and championed the ordinance, told supporters Tuesday evening they had not seen the last of the measure.
She led a crowd of more than 100 people at an election night watch party in downtown Houston in a chant that referenced the ordinance's nickname, HERO, yelling, "A hero fights for justice." She added: "I guarantee that justice in Houston will prevail. This ordinance, you have not seen the last of. We're united. We will prevail."

The Houston Chronicle says the future of this measure looks uncertain, as a new mayor and city council will take over next year. Parker, a Democrat, and other supporters described the "bathroom ordinance" campaign as "fear mongering."