HERO Is Not Only for the LGBTQ Community, Law Includes Others Who Are Being Treated Like Second-Class Citizens

A law has been making waves recently, and it promises a lot of good not only for the LGBTQ community but for every other citizen who is treated as "second class" or worse.

According to a report by the Huffington Post, the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) is for every single person who believes that everyone deserves equal rights. Passed last year by the Houston City Council, it serves as a playing field that will help protect Houstonians from discrimination, whether in employment, housing, and public spaces as well.

So why is HERO necessary?

HERO was introduced in April 2014 as Mayor Annise Parker's effort to add Houston to states and municipalities that frown at discrimination. It helps ensure that every Houstonian, regardless of sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, familial status, marital status, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity and pregnancy, can be given the opportunity to earn a living and take care of their families without fear of discrimination.

However, the controversy surrounding the ordinance became apparent when inclusion of gender identity came into play. While discrimination of race, sex, religion and national origin are already clearly prohibited under federal law, at the passing of HERO, equal rights in regards to protection for gay, bisexual and transgender Americans were still based on state and city lawmakers, and many still lived in communities that don't have such legal protection.

For example, while more and more Americans have become tolerant of the LGBTQ community, few states allow transgender people to use public restrooms consistent with their gender identity, despite the fact that no evidence has ever suggested that transgender people have the tendency to harass or assault people in restrooms and locker rooms. HERO plans to change that.

So why is HERO important for everyone, including non-LGBTQ folk and those who reside outside of Texas?

As Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States, it is considered a "bellwether city" that has the opportunity to set itself as an example of a world-class cosmopolitan hub which celebrates diversity. Passing HERO will mean that the USA is set to continuing its evolution toward equality. On the other hand, failing to pass HERO will paint the LGBTQ community as second-class citizens -- something that at this point, should be avoided.

As The New York Times concluded, retaining the ordinance will affirm what is considered a valuable asset in Houston: their culture of inclusiveness. Repealing the law could have severe consequences as well, such as that it can discourage people from moving or doing business in Houston, especially because it built its reputation on being a hospitable city -- a reputation that Houstonians will not live up to should they reject the parameters set about by HERO.