Mayor Parker: Houston Will Drop Subpoenas for Sermons

by Edgar Walters
Oct. 29, 2014
20Comments

Houston mayor Annise Parker announced Wednesday that the city will withdraw subpoenas it sent to five pastors who opposed a rule banning discrimination against gays and lesbians.

The subpoenas drew fire from conservative groups across the country, which called them an attack on religious liberty and freedom of speech. The controversy emerged during a legal battle over the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, known as HERO, which expanded the city's ban on discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

At a press conference, Parker said withdrawing the subpoenas was in the city’s best interest.

“Protecting the HERO from ...

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Comments (20)

October 29 @ 5:01 p.m.

Steve Munday via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Better read the small print first.
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October 29 @ 5:17 p.m.

Mosh Miller via Texas Tribune on Facebook

But they should audit them and make sure they are not practicing politics in the pulpit. You know, so they don't void that non-taxable status they love so much.
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October 29 @ 5:19 p.m.

Yan Peter via Texas Tribune on Facebook

If we had real religious freedom, churches would pay taxes just like everybody else
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October 29 @ 5:23 p.m.

Lynn Proctor via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Tax 'em and they can spew all the hate they want.
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October 29 @ 5:26 p.m.

Rick Ward via Texas Tribune on Facebook

The whole thing was just an over sight
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October 29 @ 5:31 p.m.

Adam Russell

When I first heard about the subpoenas I was guffawed.
But then I was curious if they were looking for pulpit preaching or slanderous statements against the mayor or anyone involved with the campaign. I think both are legitimate requests.
But...BUT...I was initially shocked and viewed it as the first salvo in a war to root out "hate speech," which is censorship and contrary to the most important right we have in this nation that is run amok with political correctness.
In any event, Top 10 worst PR move ever.
October 29 @ 5:33 p.m.

Tina Pustizzi Meschko via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Good move.
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October 29 @ 5:50 p.m.

Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook

This has nothing to do with freedom of speech…….
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October 29 @ 5:51 p.m.

Sam Rock

It is funny when "reporters" leave out key facts and they think they are being cute and tricky by do so.

Like this key fact:

Citizens of Houston submitted a petition with 50,000 signatures on it and it only needed 17,000 and the city rejected it.

But this "reporter" does not believe that is relevant fact.

Curious........how bias they are.

No wonder polls say that people trust use car salesmen over reporters.
October 29 @ 5:52 p.m.

Sam Rock via Texas Tribune on Facebook

A> City of Houston has no role in enforcing Federal tax laws.
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October 29 @ 5:53 p.m.

Sam Rock via Texas Tribune on Facebook

b> The Federal tax code does not bar non-profits or churches from being involved in politics. They just can't use the pulpit to support specific candidates. They can support or not support policies.
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October 29 @ 5:54 p.m.

Sam Rock via Texas Tribune on Facebook

c> It is doubtful that part of the Federal tax code is Constitutional any way for it tramples free speech and freedom of religion rights.
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October 29 @ 6:02 p.m.

Sean Andrews via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Really, back to this?

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/houston.asp
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October 29 @ 6:09 p.m.

Dylan Osborne via Texas Tribune on Facebook

This narrative was much ado about nothing, and was a political ploy by the Right to score cheap political points. Fox News' "War on Christmas" started early this year.
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October 29 @ 6:26 p.m.

Charlene Bigham via Texas Tribune on Facebook

These pastors whine about their religious freedom while they try to deny freedom to others. Such hypocrisy.
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October 29 @ 6:33 p.m.

Diane Treider via Texas Tribune on Facebook

God I hate the pandering to such ignorance and stupidity of the small minded bigots. This was NEVER a first amendment issue. This was "if you want to sue, expect discovery" issue.
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October 29 @ 6:36 p.m.

Mimi Miller via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Too bad should have gotten those sermons. Are you a church or a lobbyist?
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October 29 @ 6:37 p.m.

Bridgitt Dickey via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Cornyn is an asshole.
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October 29 @ 6:41 p.m.

Ben Rush via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I wonder if Cornyn and Fox News would be trumpeting the First Amendment if it were a Mosque the city was investigating.
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October 29 @ 6:44 p.m.

Alejandro Sescosse via Texas Tribune on Facebook

No Legal reasoning given to justify the drop of subpoenas. The misinterpreting of the 1st Amendment guarantees the freedom of speech and freedom of religion for all in the most sectarian and divisive way possible.
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