Last Thoughts Before Houston Goes to the Polls

Will we win, or will we lose in Houston?

There are people from all across the U.S. here in Houston. Before the polls open, volunteers are block walking and making calls to turn out voters for Proposition 1, also known as the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, or HERO. If people turn out and Houstonians win, it will be a tremendous victory for fairness and equality. As of now, it is close. Razor-thin close. Today, no one on the campaign is focused on a loss. All efforts and the morale of everyone on the campaign is dedicated to securing nondiscrimination protections for all Houstonians.

If Proposition 1 passes, Houston will join other cities in Texas and across the country with local protections from discrimination for their residents and workers. The opposition has worked diligently throughout the city to distort the truth with scare tactics. Nonetheless, we will work in Houston until every vote is counted.

If we win, legal protections will be extended to 15 different classes of people; a huge step forward for equality and fairness for many, including gay, bisexual, and transgender Texans. If we lose, will businesses leave Houston? Today, small and big businesses have chosen to focus on attracting and retaining talent by supporting the local ordinance. They, like so many others across the country, know that diversity is good for business.

Some of the most recognized names in business, faith, civil rights, and entertainment have lent their time and name to Houston. Coming off a summer with a historic win for marriage equality, those who mobilized in Texas to support HERO have done so because it was the right thing to do. Notwithstanding if we win or lose, everyone in Texas and throughout the U.S. will keep fighting until our vision for fairness and equality becomes reality for LGBT people everywhere.

DEANNE CUELLAR is the communications coordinator for Equality Texas.