Houston Delays Vote On Equal Rights Ordinance

The Houston city council has delayed a vote on whether to approve an ordinance consolidating its bans on discrimination based on sex, race, age and religion, and expand anti-bias protections for gay and transgender residents.

Houston already has various ordinances and orders that prohibit discrimination in the areas of housing and city employment and services.

But officials say Houston is the only major metropolitan city in the country that does not prohibit discrimination by businesses like restaurants, bars and hotels.

The proposed ordinance would also add protections against workplace discrimination by private employers with 50 or more workers based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The council decided Wednesday to delay a vote on the measure until next week to review various amendments to the ordinance.