HOUSTON (BP) — A lawsuit brought by local pastors and others challenging the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) will be decided by a jury rather than a judge, a Texas district judge ruled Jan. 13. Houston Mayor Annise Parker argued the case was ineligible for a jury trial under a state law declaring “election contests” can only be decided by a judge, the Chronicle reported. Plaintiffs countered that because there has been no election involving HERO, the lawsuit does not qualify as an “election contest.” The city ordinance extends civil rights protection to individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. A trial date for the lawsuit is expected to be set next week.
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