- Mayor Annise Parker
On March 25, Houston Mayor Annise Parker issued an extensive executive order protecting city employees based on gender identity as well as sexual orientation. This order expands on an earlier one issued by former Mayor Bill White that addressed only sexual orientation.
Parker’s order includes vendors and contractors doing business with the city and includes protection for people in all city-run facilities.
The gender identity protection is defined to include self-identification as well as expression of identity.
Coverage of facilities would include protection for people in all areas operated by the city including stadiums, museums or parks as well as city offices. But facilities would also mean protection for persons regarding bathroom usage.
The coverage for Houston employees is more extensive than for Dallas city employees. Gender identity is not included in the non-discrimination ordinance that protects city employees.
More about Parker’s executive order in this Friday’s Dallas Voice.
WAHOOOOO!!! GO ANISE!!! Now, if she’ll just run for governor one day! (bye bye Perry!)
And we read it first in the Dallas newspaper
Jack, maybe that’s because we do not have gay newspaper in Houston and the Dallas Voice is a professionally run paper, bravo Robert.
Thanks, Larry, and I was surprised that the the Houston Chronicle had not picked up on this. Annise has actually issued three executive orders since taking office and all benefit the LGBT community.
Let Houston set an example in fairness and equality for others to see !!! Kudos, Mayor Parker.