"Bathroom Bill" with no bathroom

The Houston 2015 elections on November 3 put to rest the controversial mandate, H.E.R.O., also known as "Bathroom Bill".

Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (H.E.R.O.) was passed on May 2014 by the City Council but it didn't go into immediate effect due to rising public opposition.

The mandate protected characteristics beyond race, color, sex, national origin and religion from discrimination. All whom are already covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

"the City of Houston seeks to provide an environment that is free of 
any type of discrimination based on sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, 
familial status, marital status, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, 
genetic information, gender identity, or pregnancy"

In addition, it would also allow people to use restroom or locker rooms that best fit their gender identity (despite the fact that this section of the ordinance was removed before being passed, it still remained the main focus of the animosity). 

Violation of the ordinance dictated a fine between $250-$500.
Religious institution and organizations were exempted from participation. 

Public figures like 2016 Presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee, voiced his disapproval on Facebook and encouraged others to petition against it. 

Petitioning required 17,269 valid signatures which were quickly obtained and validated by Secretary of State, Anna Russell. However, a second review of the signatures was made by the City's Attorney, David Feldman, claiming that it fell short 2,000 signatures. He found that some of the signatures were incorrectly notarized and others shared the same handwriting. 

Mayor Annise Parker, guided by Feldman's count stated that the petition didn't have enough valid signatures for a repeal referendum. 

In response, four plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the City of Houston, Parker and Russell arguing that Feldman had no place in the petition validation process.  

The court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and H.E.R.O. was put on the November ballot, where it was defeated.