Pastors File Suit against Houston Mayor after Sermon Subpoenas

A group of Texas pastors whose sermons addressing homosexuality were subpoenaed last year by Houston Mayor Annise Parker, have filed suit against the mayor, claiming the subpoena violated their religious freedom. At the time, Parker was pushing to pass the “Equal Rights Ordinance,” a bill to that would allow transgender individuals to use the restroom of their choice. 

In August 2014, the openly lesbian mayor subpoenaed all sermons, speeches or presentations that mentioned the bill, homosexuality or herself. The order caused national outrage, and Parker eventually rescinded the subpoena. 

Now, the pastors have filed suit against Parker for "trampling on the rights of one million Houston citizens." 

At the same time, the Texas Supreme Court has ruled the that Equal Rights Ordinance must be repealed by Aug. 24 or vote to revoke the bill on the upcoming Nov. ballot, after a petition to repeal it collected over 55,000 signatures. Christian Today reports it is more likely that the bill will be placed on the ballot since most of Houston’s city council support the ordinance. 

The bill has been in place since May 2014. 

Publication date: August 7, 2015