San Antonio Passes Non-Discrimination Ordinance That Protects LGBT Community And Veterans

After marathon sessions of public debate, the San Antonio City Council passed 8-3 a non-discrimination ordinance to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The council also added protections for veterans.

by Tasneem Nashrulla

BuzzFeed News Reporter

Posted on September 5, 2013, 8:45 pm

Forrest Wilder
@Forrest4Trees
All of #NDO4SA, prohibiting discrimination on basis of sexual orientation, gender identify and veteran status, passes 8-3.
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Mary Tuma
@TumaTime
Historic moment for San Antonio. #LGBT rights supporters stand up and cheer after vote. Blue shirts silent. #NDO4SA
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Lloyd Doggett
@RepLloydDoggett
A great SA victory against discrimination. Will join 7p celebration at Sparkyâ€™s. #ndo4sa
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Over two weeks, more than 1,200 citizens voiced their opinions to the city council with nearly 700 people signing up to speak to the city leaders at the "Citizens to be Heard" session in City Hall. On Thursday, after three hours of heated citizen debates for and against the ordinance, the city council passed it 8 to 3 to loud cheers from the red side of the chambers and silence from those all those wearing blue.

Video of the council vote.

Ian Exclamationmark
@Genki_Rocket
Thank you, @JulianCastro for being supportive of the #NDO4SA and equality for members of the LGBT community!! I'm proud to be in SA!
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Forrest Wilder
@Forrest4Trees
. @JulianCastro: "This is a city that belongs to everyone. This ord. is abt saying there are no 2nd clas citizens in San Antonio." #NDO4SA
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Cory Smith
@KSATcory
Mayor Castro: With this ordinance, whether you're white/black, Christian/Jew, gay/straight, San Antonio belongs to you #KSATnews #NDO4SA
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Randy Bear
@RBearSAT
Wow, thanks to everyone who has worked on this from the start to the finish. Equality won out over bigotry. #NDO4SA
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GetEQUAL Texas
@getequal_tx
Inside chambers in support of an inclusive #ndo4sa.
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Krys
@krysroseT
Brace yourself, San Antonio. Today's the day for #ndo4sa
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Miss Aste
@asteliapuff39
#NDO4SA so glad I was able to protest in favor of lgbt rights!
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Mary Tuma
@TumaTime
The line to council chambers for citizens heard #LGBT non-discrimination ordinance debate stretches 2 blocks: #ndo4sa
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GetEQUAL Texas
@getequal_tx
In front of chambers, we are reminded that love has no gender. #NDO4SA
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Mary Tuma
@TumaTime
Photo of red-clad NDO supporters protesting outside. Signs read "Vote Yes!" and "How Will You Be Remembered?" #NDO4SA
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Among the council members who voted against the ordinance was Elisa Chan, a Republican councilwoman whose earlier controversial remarks against the LGBT community included calling homosexuality "disgusting," and saying that homosexual couples should not be allowed to adopt.

Les Stevens
@les_satx
@Elisa_Chan, Ivy Taylor & @CarltonSoules voted against LGBT protections. Chan & Soules voted against adding vet status protections #NDO4SA
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Cory Smith
@KSATcory
Opponents of #NDO4SA will begin collecting signatures today for council members that voted yes. Heard several yells of recall #KSATnews
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Jessica W. Luther
@scATX
"I know this NDO will pass but can't we *at least* be discriminatory to trans people?" - Councilman Soules, basically #NDO4SA
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Tasneem Nashrulla
BuzzFeed News Reporter

San Antonio Passes Non-Discrimination Ordinance That Protects LGBT Community And Veterans

The ordinance will provide better protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people by including sexual orientation and gender identity as banned reasons for discriminating against people in public accommodations, housing and city employment.

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro spoke Thursday about how the ordinance would ensure that there are "no second-class citizens in San Antonio."

Opponents of the ordinance argued that it violated their religious freedom and their right to speak out against a way of life that went against their religious views and the morals of their faith.