Openly gay athletes Michael Sam and Jason Collins this week announced their support for the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO).
HERO prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on several characteristics including race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Opponents sued Houston officials after they rejected a petition to put the ordinance up to a public vote. The city said that opponents had failed to gather sufficient valid signatures. But the Texas Supreme Court disagreed, ruling earlier this year that the city must repeal the ordinance or place it on the November ballot.
Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, offered his support in a tweet: “No one should be discriminated against because of race, age, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. #HERO #YESonProp1 #Houston.” Collins retired last year.
Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted by the NFL, offered his support in a fundraising email for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT rights advocate.
“I know first-hand what it feels like to be unwelcome – to live an open and authentic life in a place where you can be ostracized or even discriminated against for simply being yourself,” wrote Sam, who left professional football earlier this year. “That's why as a Texas native I was thrilled when Houston passed the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) last year... and equally disappointed when opponents petitioned for its repeal this year. Now it's on the ballot and it’s up to all of us to protect Houstonians from discrimination.”
Thank you Mr. Collins and Mr. Sam for being an inspiration to us all! Great post, buddy! Love and naked hugs!
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