Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development Julian Castro has recorded a video calling on Houston
voters to keep the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO).
HERO prohibits discrimination in
housing, employment and public accommodations based on several
characteristics including race, religion, sexual orientation and
gender identity.
The 41-year-old former mayor of San
Antonio, Texas endorsed passage of HERO in a one-minute video
recorded for Houston Unites, the campaign working to keep the
ordinance.
In making his endorsement, Castro keeps
quiet on HERO's most controversial aspect, the inclusion of sexual
orientation and gender identity.
“Sadly, too many Texans still face
discrimination,” Castro
said. “In Houston, 56 percent of discrimination reports filed
in the last year were based on race and 14 percent were based on
gender or pregnancy.”
“That's why Houston needs Proposition
1, the equal rights ordinance. It's a local tool that helps protect
everyone regardless of race, religion, gender, military status and
more.”
“Without local protections against
discrimination, people can't get the legal help they need when it
happens. It's wrong. And it hurts families and our whole
community,” he added.
Houston voters head to the polls
Tuesday.
Castro, a strong supporter of LGBT
rights, is on the short list to become Hillary Clinton's running
mate.