Tag: Plano

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Texas: Petition To Repeal Plano LGBT Protections Declared Invalid

False/misleading information has led to the invalidation of a petition drive focused on overturning recent LGBT protections approved by the Plano City Council in December of last year.

Last month, opponents of the city’s Equal Rights Ordinance say they turned in petitions containing more than the 3822 signatures required to force the City Council to repeal the measure or put it on the ballot.

Plano officials say the petition contained false information about the ordinance, claiming that it regulates bathrooms. “By making this false representation, the Equal Rights petition asked signees to repeal an ordinance that does not exist,” according to a statement issued by the city.

The petitions did not include a copy of the ordinance, as required by the City Charter, and did not include a a column for the county of voter registration, as required by the Texas Election Code, according to the city.

Plano officials say they sent an email to the organizing groups prior to their deadline to inform them of some of the problems, with links to the appropriate websites.

Speaking for The Liberty Institute, Jeff Mateer issued this statement: “While we are shocked that the City has so little regard for its citizens, we remain committed to advancing religious liberty and challenging this ordinance that clearly violates laws protecting religious freedom.”

Read the full statement from the city of Plano here.

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News Roundup: January 10, 2015

News stories you may have missed:

• The creators of WICKED are hoping for 2016 release of major motion picture adaptation of their blockbuster Broadway musical.

• Sen. Marco Rubio doesn’t understand the role of the judicial arm of government.

• Even with HUGE loopholes built in for “religious liberty,” haters in Plano, Texas, are gearing up to repeal the recent protections passed by the city council for LGBT folks.

• A Texas lawmaker has authored legislation that would take away a state employee’s salary and pension if they should ever issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple.

• North Carolina is heading to SCOTUS asking for review of the ruling which overturned the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.

• George Zimmerman, the man who killed Trayon Martin, has been arrested. Again. For the 4th time since his Trayvon Martin trial.

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Texas: Plano LGBT Protections Ordinance Has A Few Holes In It

I reported last night on the passage of LGBT protections by the Plano City Council. While a good step forward, it seems there are a few holes in the fine print that will allow for the truly anti-gay to refuse to serve LGBT folks.

From the Plano Star Courier:

According to the revised ordinance, discrimination based on a resident’s sexual orientation or gender identity is prohibited in regards to public accommodation, employment, housing transactions and city contracting. However, religious and political groups as well as nonprofit organizations are exempt from the ordinance.

City Attorney Paige Mims said the ordinance also includes a waiver process for businesses to be exempt if the owners feel the policy would not allow them to conduct business based on their personal faith. Individuals and organizations found in noncompliance to the ordinance would be charged with a Class C misdemeanor, the least severe class of misdemeanor. While the ordinance does make it illegal to discriminate against gender identity in a public place, Mims said that would not extend to public restrooms and locker rooms which would still be segregated based on physical anatomy.

So, apply for a “waiver” and you can get to discriminate.

Ironically, those who are the more virulently anti-gay STILL hate the ordinance and want to sue to have it struck down. Hard to imagine why when the religious exemptions are so broad. Clearly, anyone who doesn’t want to serve gays will not have to. So, shut up.

Forward.

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Texas: Plano City Council Passes LGBT Protections Ordinance 5-3

Yes, kids! Yes!

I reported earlier that the city of Plano, Texas, was prepared to debate an ordinance tonight which would offer LGBT protections which would ban discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The incoming Attorney General “urged” the City Council to stand down and hit pause on these important protections.

Well, tonight at the Plano City Council meeting the ordinance passed by a vote of 5-3!

Take that, haters!

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Incoming Texas Attorney General Opposes LGBT Protections In Proposed Plano Ordinance

In an open letter, incoming Texas Attorney General-elect Ken Paxton has asks the Plano City Council to rethink their consideration of an LGBT protections ordinance up for discussion at tonight’s meeting.

From Paxton’s letter:

Honorable Mayor and City Council: As members of the Plano delegation to the Texas legislature and the Collin County Commissioners Court, we are appealing to you to postpone any vote relating to an ordinance to amend Section 2-11 relating to the adoption of a policy based on protected characteristics. We do not believe there has been adequate time for the public and community leaders to be a part of the discussion of such a major, wide sweeping change in law and policy for Plano. As husbands and wives with children, we have concerns that your sexual orientation and transgender ordinance may place women and children at risk and does not consider the moral or religious beliefs of Plano citizens or vendors who do business with the city.

Creating “special protections” for gays and “men in women’s bathrooms” are all included in Paxton’s worries and concerns over the proposed LGBT focused ordinance.
Of course, all the hand wringing in done in the name of “religious freedom.”

Stay tuned to see if tonight’s vote even takes place.