Judge rules against Houston pastors’ challenge to transgender ‘bathroom bill’
A pastor-led coalition fell short in its bid to overturn a Houston transgender-rights ordinance after a judge ruled Friday that the group had failed to submit enough signatures to place a repeal measure on the ballot, the Washington Times reported.
Harris County District Court Judge Robert Schaffer said the coalition had turned in 16,684 signatures, short of the 17,269 required to bring before the voters a referendum on the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, which allows transgendered people to file complaints if they are denied access to public restrooms.
The battle gained national attention last year after Houston Mayor Annise Parker subpoenaed the sermons and other communications of five of the pastors involved in the coalition. The city ultimately backed down after an outpouring of criticism, omitting the sermons from its subpoenas. –[wp_colorbox_media url=”http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/18/judge-rules-against-houston-pastors-challenge-tran/” type=”iframe” hyperlink=”…read more”]