Rumblings of Moving the Superbowl from Houston after equal rights measure overturned

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**Frazzled**

Please make it be so! I don't want to dern fereners messing up traffic.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rumblings-super-bowl-boycott-houston-equal-rights-measure/story?id=34966488

Houston, we have a problem.

That's the message supporters of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) are sending after voters rejected the measure Tuesday by a margin of 61 percent to 39 percent.

The controversial measure would have established nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people in the city, among other groups.

"I fear that this will have stained Houston's reputation as a tolerant, welcoming, global city," Houston Mayor Annise Parker said at an election night watch part in downtown Houston. "I absolutely fear that there will be a direct economic backlash as a result of this ordinance going into defeat and that's sad for Houston."

Houston LGBT Nondiscrimination Ordinance Rejected by Voters

Houston Mayor: Fight Not Over for Nondiscrimination Measure

White House Offers Support for Houston Equal Rights Measure

Parker and Houston's city council may now pursue a range of options from "issuing a clear public rhetorical statement about inclusion and accessibility in the city" to "pushing through another ordinance designed similar to HERO," according to Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston.

"We're not going to see issue go away anytime soon because both sides are deeply passionate about it," Rottinghaus told ABC News today. "However, emotions are very high in Houston right now, so we may not see any political action right away."

Houston attorney John LaRue, who ran for the Houston City Council and led a campaign to support HERO, told ABC News today that though supporters were still "in shell shock," there are "rumblings of boycotts" and other next steps.

"The Super Bowl is slated to come in 2017, and there are rumblings of plans to ask the NFL to move and go elsewhere in support of LGBT people and other groups HERO would have protected," LaRue said. "I also talked to some 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."

PHOTO: A man urges people to vote against the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance outside an early voting center in Houston, Oct. 21, 2015.Pat Sullivan/AP Photo
A man urges people to vote against the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance outside an early voting center in Houston, Oct. 21, 2015.
more +

The fight for HERO began last year in May, when a law was first established by the Houston City Council, effectively banning discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations and city services based on race, religion, age, disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity and other characteristics.

Conservative groups, mainly led by religious leaders, launched an effort to force a repeal of the law, mainly through emotional ads under the slogan "No Men in Women's Bathrooms," suggesting that allowing transgender people to use the sex-specific bathroom reflecting their gender identity would allow sexual predators to camp out in women’s restrooms.

This past July, the Texas Supreme Court ordered the city to either repeal the law or place it on the ballot.

Anti-HERO activist Jared Woodfill said this is Houstonians’ "no" to men in women's bathrooms, Houston Public Media reported.

"This is what the mayor was afraid of," Woodfill said of the ballot referendum. "This is why she tried so hard to keep it from the people, because she knew if the people had an opportunity to exercise their voice on this through their vote, they would overwhelmingly reject it."

Though HERO lost at the ballot box, the fight is far from over, according to supporters and Parker, who is Houston's first openly gay mayor.

"I guarantee that justice in Houston will prevail,” she said. “This ordinance, you have not seen the last of. We're united. We will prevail."

**d-usa**

Yiu would think that the fact that it's Houston would be reason enough to move it...

**Frazzled**

d-usa wrote:
Yiu would think that the fact that it's Houston would be reason enough to move it...

At least we're not Dallas. How many other elected cities have a two term lesbian mayor AND pickup trucks larger than the Titanic?

You're from Oklahoma. Oklahoma is flat. Its so flat no one is allowed to have wheels because they'll just start rolling until they hit the Louisiana border (where they will be eaten by cannibalistic swamp rats).

**Col. Dash**

What equal rights measure did they overthrow? I just saw the voters actually use common sense and vote down don't use terms like this in conversations like this on Dakka. Reds8n using their daughter's showers. The report I read said they made adequate compromises allowing a neutral locker room.

These are nothing more than crybabies whining because they didn't get their way. They safety needs of our children override the wants of someone who really needs to be seeing a shrink not trying to get extra rights.

What this will always come down to is, do you want some dude using the same showers and locker rooms as your daughter? The safety issue here trumps any other concern.

So if the whiners want to try and cancel the Superbowl over this, good luck, you are less than 2% of the population. The people have spoken.

**redleger**

While I agree with equal rights for all, as in, no lines on equal rights. I do agree the law as written gave certain groups the ability to abuse the law. I don't think anyone would openly agree that its ok to discriminate, but I don't want boys using girls showers and vice versa. Im in the Army and we are integrating Females into the Combat arms as we speak, I was an Artilleryman and now I am an Artillery Soldier. Im ok with this, but even we don't allow mixed showering or even mixed bunks. Write the law in a way that is the exact opposite of the bigoted law Oklahoma put in place. Do not allow discrimination period, but don't allow a law that lets scumbags hide behind it.

**Sasori**

Frazzled wrote:
d-usa wrote:
Yiu would think that the fact that it's Houston would be reason enough to move it...

At least we're not Dallas. How many other elected cities have a two term lesbian mayor AND pickup trucks larger than the Titanic?

You're from Oklahoma. Oklahoma is flat. Its so flat no one is allowed to have wheels because they'll just start rolling until they hit the Louisiana border (where they will be eaten by cannibalistic swamp rats).

Dallas is way better than Houston. Houston is an awful city.

**Frazzled**

Sasori wrote:
Frazzled wrote:
d-usa wrote:
Yiu would think that the fact that it's Houston would be reason enough to move it...

At least we're not Dallas. How many other elected cities have a two term lesbian mayor AND pickup trucks larger than the Titanic?

You're from Oklahoma. Oklahoma is flat. Its so flat no one is allowed to have wheels because they'll just start rolling until they hit the Louisiana border (where they will be eaten by cannibalistic swamp rats).

Dallas is way better than Houston. Houston is an awful city.

Dallas thinks its NY. Houston thinks its Pittsburgh. You want good quiche, go to Dallas. You want to go to tailgate at the Superbowl! go to Houston.

(you want to see motorcycles go really really really fast go to Austin).

**Ouze**

I dunno, when I think of organizations that are susceptible to pressures from what is a largely liberal cause... the NFL isn't foremost in my mind.

**sirlynchmob**

Ouze wrote:
I dunno, when I think of organizations that are susceptible to pressures from what is a largely liberal cause... the NFL isn't foremost in my mind.

This isn't the first time they pulled out of a city, they canceled on phoenix arizona as well when arizona decided they weren't going to recognize MLK day as a federal holiday anymore. I guess the NFL is run by liberals who believe in equality for all, good for them.

**d-usa**

sirlynchmob wrote:
Ouze wrote:
I dunno, when I think of organizations that are susceptible to pressures from what is a largely liberal cause... the NFL isn't foremost in my mind.

This isn't the first time they pulled out of a city, they canceled on phoenix arizona as well when arizona decided they weren't going to recognize MLK day as a federal holiday anymore. I guess the NFL is run by liberals who believe in equality for all, good for them.

I'll actually be that guy and say that the MLK move probably had more to do with the racial makeup of their teams, potential recruits, and to a degree the fan base itself and less with "liberals" in general.

**Ouze**

Yeah, MLK has a lot more support in virtually ANY city than do transexuals; it's not a apples to apples analogy.

I could be wrong obviously but my initial thought is that that the NFL won't be pressured.

**sirlynchmob**

Ouze wrote:
Yeah, MLK has a lot more support in virtually ANY city than do transexuals; it's not a apples to apples analogy.

I could be wrong obviously but my initial thought is that that the NFL won't be pressured.

I just don't think they're pressured into these things. I think they're willing participants and helping lead the way in fights for equality. Even the NBA willing joined the fight when they boycotted Indiana over their christians can discriminate laws. and once again the NFL was taking up arms against AZ for trying to enact the same laws

"Indiana now faces coordinated boycotts from a range of sources. And, if history is any lesson, they might just work. When the Arizona state legislature approved a similar bill allowing discrimination against homosexuals, widespread boycotts of the state, along with a threat by the NFL to move the following year's Super Bowl from Phoenix to Southern California, pushed Republican Governor Jan Brewer to veto it."

The NFL is the one pressuring and throwing their weight around.

**Frazzled**

Is this the same NFL who is dealing with the concussion scandal, and the domestic violence scandal. Leading the way...

**Ouze**

I will freely admit my grasp on the political inclinations of the NFL are minimal.

**Frazzled**

Ouze wrote:
I will freely admit my grasp on the political inclinations of the NFL are minimal.

Me too actually.

**AdeptSister**

The NFL likes money. They are definitely not liberal, but adapt to the circumstances. If it makes economic sense to make a "ethical stand," they will do it. Don't give them too much credit.

**Sigvatr**

Both T-Up for Houston. Good decision on behalf of the people.

**hotsauceman1**

The superbowl SHOULD move from the bigoted city.
Your Daughters are not gonna get attacked by a guy in the shower. Get over yourself. This is about equality, not creeps.
God I hate the bible belt.

**Frazzled**

hotsauceman1 wrote:
The superbowl SHOULD move from the bigoted city.
Your Daughters are not gonna get attacked by a guy in the shower. Get over yourself. This is about equality, not creeps.
.

How many homosexual mayors were elected in the hole you call a state again? Hating an entire region? How enlightened you are.

**hotsauceman1**

They still turned down the rights for people to use the bathroom they feel like. A very real issue for many trans-people. Its part of their transistion.

**Frazzled**

hotsauceman1 wrote:
They still turned down the rights for people to use the bathroom they feel like. A very real issue for many trans-people. Its part of their transistion.

And upheld the right of women not to be told to shut up and do as they are told by men.

Again, how many lesbian mayors have been elected in Los Angeles? In the paradise of San Francisco? But yea Houston is the bad guy.

**whembly**

hotsauceman1 wrote:
The superbowl SHOULD move from the bigoted city.
Your Daughters are not gonna get attacked by a guy in the shower. Get over yourself. This is about equality, not creeps.
God I hate the bible belt.

Here's a Title IX quandary for you...

In High School, your daughters are effectively told to look a penises in their showers...

Yet, in college, you have to get a notarized permission slip in blood to consent sex.

Bizzarro world indeed*.

Does the middle ground exist anymore?

(mods, please note that I'm being hyperbolic on purpose).

**Ouze**

whembly wrote:
(mods, please note that I'm being hyperbolic on purpose).

Pretty sure there's a word for being intentionally hyperbolic and inflammatory on the internet.

**whembly**

Ouze wrote:
whembly wrote:
(mods, please note that I'm being hyperbolic on purpose).

Pretty sure there's a word for being intentionally hyperbolic and inflammatory on the internet.

It's called "I'm a Rockstar!"

**hotsauceman1**

whembly wrote:
hotsauceman1 wrote:
The superbowl SHOULD move from the bigoted city.
Your Daughters are not gonna get attacked by a guy in the shower. Get over yourself. This is about equality, not creeps.
God I hate the bible belt.

Here's a Title IX quandary for you...

In High School, your daughters are effectively told to look a penises in their showers...

Yet, in college, you have to get a notarized permission slip in blood to consent sex.

Bizzarro world indeed*.

Does the middle ground exist anymore?

(mods, please note that I'm being hyperbolic on purpose).

As said earlier, its less than 2% most girls wont have to deal with it. And no, no boy is gonna say "I think im actually a girl" just to see some boobies. they would be made fun of so much, and their life would be hell.

**whembly**

hotsauceman1 wrote:
whembly wrote:
hotsauceman1 wrote:
The superbowl SHOULD move from the bigoted city.
Your Daughters are not gonna get attacked by a guy in the shower. Get over yourself. This is about equality, not creeps.
God I hate the bible belt.

Here's a Title IX quandary for you...

In High School, your daughters are effectively told to look a penises in their showers...

Yet, in college, you have to get a notarized permission slip in blood to consent sex.

Bizzarro world indeed*.

Does the middle ground exist anymore?

(mods, please note that I'm being hyperbolic on purpose).

As said earlier, its less than 2% most girls wont have to deal with it. And no, no boy is gonna say "I think im actually a girl" just to see some boobies. they would be made fun of so much, and their life would be hell.

Sure... so, why isn't the "middle ground" option acceptable?

Me being hyperbolic was my point as that's how these issues are argued these days.

You're own, private unisex stall is that middle ground.

**Frazzled**

So its ok to flash 2% of high school girls? Those uppitty wimminz just need to sit down and shut up. How dare they object. if its not an issue why was there a bill in the first place?

**hotsauceman1**

You do realize that it would also allow trans-men to use male.
And your choice of words is interesting "Flashing" is kinda not what their doing.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

whembly wrote:

You're own, private unisex stall is that middle ground.

Because, for many Trans-people, using the bathroom of their chosen sex is part of the process of that transition.
It may not sound like much, but chosen bathroom is very important for the transition for many.
Quite frankly, I think all bathrooms shoul be Unisex. Dorms do it just fine.

**Frazzled**

hotsauceman1 wrote:
You do realize that it would also allow trans-men to use male.
And your choice of words is interesting "Flashing" is kinda not what their doing.

Flashing is illegal. At the school you supposedly go to that would be considered sexual assault. Once again, women are being told what to do.

**hotsauceman1**

So, being nekkid in a locker room is flashing?
BRB, I got some lawsuits to file.