Dave Wilson
The verdict on whether anti-gay activist Dave Wilson collected enough valid signatures to force a vote to amend the city charter and bar men “who perceive or express themselves as women” from entering women’s restrooms will have to wait.
On Friday evening, the city appealed District Court Judge Brent Gamble’s order to count the signatures on Wilson’s petition by Saturday’s deadline, saying it “is an untimely referendum petition, not a charter amendment.”
Wilson, a Houston Community College trustee, said he collected more than 22,000 signatures, more than the needed 20,000 to change city charter.
The secretary’s office was counting signatures under order from a state district judge since late July. Wilson says the city tried to delay validating signatures until Monday and asked Gamble to clarify his order in a conference call on Monday. Gamble refused to grant the city a delay or to clarify his order, according to both Wilson and the letter from the city appealing the order.
[…]
Wilson has said the equal rights ordinance is not driving his petition, which seeks to define gender identity “as an individual’s innate identification, as either male or female, which is assigned at birth.” It would require businesses to adopt the same definition.
To Wilson, the petition is a small step in reversing a cultural decline in the city.
“We need to focus on filling potholes rather than the homosexual agenda,” Wilson said.
See here, here, and here for the background. Anyone who believes Wilson, who didn’t start collecting signatures for this effort until after the HERO had passed, wasn’t motivated by the HERO probably also believes in the Easter Bunny. That’s not exactly the same as saying his effort is equivalent to a repeal, however, so I’ll refrain from speculating what an appeals court might rule. And anyone who thinks the repeal effort isn’t being driven by a deep-seated animus towards LGBT folks need only read those last two paragraphs. We’re either a city of opportunity for all, or we’re Dave Wilson’s Houston. I know what my preference is.
It will be good to get this issue decided. I still say the City’s appeal is frivolous and should be sanctioned for it. They are telling the City Secretary what Petitions she can count and what Petitions she can’t count. If that isn’t a Voting Rights Violation then I don’t know what is.
Lets see who is worse…..
Mayor violating voters rights vs. Wilson hating gays.
This just in, Wilson is worse. I hope he enjoys a nice warm eternity with Dick Cheney.
I call them equal. When an elected official uses the power of her office to suppress peoples rights then you deserve whatever push back you get.
Wilson was on Fox 26 and admitted on live TV to Isiah Carey that the intent is to nullify parts of the Equal Rights Ordinance.
Noel to be exact he said that the charter amendment would stop the portion relating to a man using a woman bathroom. Wilson did not state that his intent was to stop the HERO ordinance.
Don’t be surprised to find that Wilson has another trick up his sleeves that could stop HERO on its tracks.
Paul, Dave Wilson hates gays? I know he does not approve of their life style, but hate I don’t know.
If one looks at the interview mentioned by Noel Freeman you will find that the behavior of Lane Lewis bordered on bully. Why does one place their face next to someone else the way Lane Lewis did?
M@ you seriously consider Dave Wilson to be as evil Dick Cheney? Or is it because Dick Cheney has a soft heart for “Gay” people, since his daughter is one?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Cheney
If one does not agree with the judgment of the elite, one is a hater, evil, etc etc etc, Is that the way it works?
Manuel, I don’t know if Dave Wilson hates gays or not. I do not know what is in his heart. Many people here of Judged his actions and have come to the conclusion that he hates gays. My comments were for the ones who believed he does.
Mathew 7:3
New International Version
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
Please don’t misunderstand me. People hear have a reason to be mad at the stance David Wilson takes on these issues. However, I like to assume the enlightened crowd that comes to this blog everyday would be a little more reflective in their thoughts as opposed to lashing out with the same anger that they themselves are all to often on the receiving end.
Paul good luck with that philosophy, wonder if they after your brother. I believe the Kubosh family is placed in the same category as Dave, anti-gay, from Marc Campos
“Here is a question from the Houston GLBT Questionnaire:
Should you receive an endorsement from an organization or person who is recognized as being anti-LGBT, what will be your response?
Chavez took $500 from the Kubosh family. District H candidate Jason Cisneroz called out Chavez for accepting the $500.
Chavez said he will return the donation. Maybe Chavez thought accepting the bucks wasn’t an “endorsement.”
I really don’t think Chavez made the connection like Jason did which ought to tell you something about political astuteness. “http://www.camposcommunications.com/dailycommentary.aspx
It is disappointing that Chavez would say that. People are people you are not going to change them. The left is just as bad as the right when it comes using Hate as a controlling factor. When you control peoples hate you control them. Hitler 1930’s and 40’s German.