Sixteen years after voters overturned ordinances prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, a similar battle is brewing over benefits for same-sex partners of city workers. Conservative activists are writing and calling city council members to demand that they reject an ordinance that would allow municipal employees to provide medical coverage for same-sex partners. The council is likely to consider the issue Feb. 14, and a majority appears to favor the ordinance, which is supported by gay-rights advocates.
Conservative activists say they plan a petition drive to force a referendum.
They would need 20,000 signatures within 30 days of the council's vote to send the issue to voters. Such a referendum could occur as early as August. Citizens overturned ordinances passed in 1984 that prohibited using homosexuality as a factor for hiring and firing. The straight slate members all lost elections in 1985. Parker, who is homosexual, noted some of Houston's largest corporate citizens, including Continental Airlines, Enron Corp. and Shell Oil, offer domestic-partner benefits.