Page 67
-
No, the city of Houston isn’t bullying anti-gay pastors – this is basic lawyering
Conservative media outlets, led by Fox News, are attacking the city of Houston for subpoenaing a number of local pastors who were part of the right-wing opposition to the city’s LGBT non-discrimination ordinance that is suing the city now that the anti-discrimination law is in effect. But their claims that religious liberty should keep the pastors’ public addresses secret ignores the fact that subpoenas of parties relevant to a lawsuit are a typical part of the legal discovery process.
-
Houston subpoenas sermons in challenge to LGBT rights ordinance
HOUSTON — The dispute over Houston’s LGBT-inclusive equal rights ordinance has extended to the pulpit. Houston city attorneys recently subpoenaed sermons by several local pastors who oppose the measure and are tied to conservative Christian activists. The activists have sued Houston, claiming they had enough valid signatures to put a repeal…
-
Houston gay couple kicked out of taxi for kissing, told they’re going to hell
HOUSTON — Two Houston men are the latest same-sex couple to be kicked out of a taxicab for being affectionate. Travis Player and Andres Orozco tell KTRK-TV they were booted from the cab during a ride home from a local bar. “We thought he was joking until he actually pulled over,” said Player.
-
Texas AG says same-sex marriage ban reduces out-of-wedlock births
AUSTIN — Texas Attorney General and GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott says the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is in the state’s interest because it reduces out-of-wedlock” births. In a brief Friday filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Abbott says legalizing same-sex marriage would would do little or nothing to encourage …
-
Texas AG opposes same-sex marriage because he’s been married 33 years
DALLAS — Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said Tuesday he opposes same-sex marriage because he’s been married to his wife for more than 33 years. Abbott’s remarks during came Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate against Democrat Wendy Davis in Dallas.
-
Same-sex marriage ban stalls changes to Dallas pension funds
DALLAS — Two Dallas city pension funds have delayed enacting measures passed by the city council aimed at ensuring equal rights for municipal employees. The council earlier this year adopted a non-binding resolution seeking equal treatment for LGBT employees. It followed that vote with another Wednesday that amends…
-
Fifth Circuit to hear same-sex marriage appeals from Louisiana, Texas
NEW ORLEANS, La. — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Thursday said it will hear the appeals of same-sex marriage rulings from Texas and Louisiana. Equality on Trial reports that the two cases will be heard on the same date and by the same panel, although the date for oral arguments has not yet been scheduled.
-
Houston mayor Annise Parker on ‘short list’ for World’s Best Mayor award
Houston Mayor Annise Parker has made the official short list for the 2014 World Mayor Prize, an international contest for the best mayor in the world. The global honor is given to mayors who exemplify a host of leadership qualities such as honesty, leadership, vision, integrity, social and economic awareness and fostering good relations among …
-
Texas woman in same-sex marriage denied driver’s license
KATY, Texas — A Houston-area resident who recently relocated to Texas has been refused a driver’s license because her last name was changed following her same-sex marriage. The Texas Observer reports that Connie Wilson, who married her partner of nine years in California last year, took her wife’s last name, Wilson, which now appears on both her…
-
Transgender teen crowned Homecoming King at Texas high school
HOUSTON — A Houston-area high school is the latest to crown a transgender teen as homecoming royalty. Mel Gonzales, a transgender student at at Stephen F. Austin High School in Sugar Land, Texas, was crowned Homecoming King last week.