Mayor Parker has made great advances for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender community in her two terms as mayor of Houston, but in her third term she has continued her plight to further the social rights for those in the LGBT community.

In recent weeks Mayor Parker has proposed an non- discrimination ordinance that would ban discrimination based on sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, family status, marital status, military status, religion, disability, pregnancy and genetic information, but also would extend into sexual orientation and gender identity.

The ordinance will apply to private businesses, the ordinance would apply to housing, city employment and city contracting. Violators could be fined up to $5,000. There are some places and institutions that are exempt from the ordinance such as churches and private clubs or business with less than 50 employees, but only under a private provision.

Houstonians are not silent on this issue as City Council chambers have seen fully packed audiences for two weeks and today, Tuesday May 13, 2014, as well. Supporters and those who don’t have taken the time to speak to the mayor and City Council members in order to sway their thoughts in hopes for a favoring vote.

Wednesday, May 14th, the City Council body will vote on the non- discrimination equal opportunity ordinance, during their regular city council meeting at 9 am in council chambers.