Super Bowl resists pressure to withdraw from Houston after scrapping of LGBT

With voters rejecting on Tuesday the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance on Tuesday by an overwhelming margin of 61 to 39 percent, city leaders are bracing for blowback in various forms.

Anti-LGBT activists had repeatedly claimed prior to the vote that the law allows men to molest little girls in female bathrooms, with no factual basis.

In May 2015, Houston City Council passed a law banning discrimination on a wide variety of characteristics, including race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Ordinance supporters, including the Greater Houston Partnership, an influential business group, had warned that defeat of the measure might trigger economic boycotts or endanger plans for Houston to host the Super Bowl in 2017 or the NCAA Final Four in 2016.

“I also talked to a few people last night, and we’re planning to create a voluntary system and group made of people who, while not obligated by City Hall, will still choose to enforce HERO’s protections in their businesses”.

“We will work closely with Houston Super Bowl Host Committee to make sure all fans feel welcomed at our events”.

“Commissioner Goodell, you have emphasized the NFL’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, respect and fairness”, Griffin wrote.

The argument over Gitmo has always existed, but had been overshadowed by a dispute over busting budget caps.

The NCAA, however, said that while the repeal won’t impact the 2016 Final Four, it could deter future events in the city.

And nondiscrimination advocates may face similar opposition sooner than they think. “We will continue to work with the Houston Local Organizing Committee to provide an inclusive environment for the student-athletes competing in and visitors attending our games and events in April”.

“Houston elites were afraid to let the voters vote, and they had good reason to be”, England said.

“The voters clearly understand that this proposition was never about equality – that is already the law”, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a statement. McNair was widely bashed for the move, including a scathing open letter from former National Football League punter Chris Kluwe, which accused McNair of buying into “clearly outdated ideals of bigotry and intolerance”.

Super PAC supports the governor’s campaign by underwriting town hall meetings across the state.