HOUSTON – The one item not on the Houston City Council agenda Wednesday perhaps got the most attention at City Hall -- Houston Equal Rights Ordinance.
"I believe as we move forward we will be able to discuss this in a reasonable way and come up with something that will meet the needs of all people of Houston," Council Member Ellen Cohen said.
A year and a half ago, the council first approved the ordinance that went before voters Tuesday. Mayor Annise Parker said Wednesday the issue is not going away. She said it could come up again this year, before the end of her term.
"Several City Council members have talked to me about bringing it back up. Perhaps bringing it back up in segments such as the nondiscrimination in employment and housing and public accommodations separately," the mayor said.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the people have spoken. He said the mayor pushed an agenda that was against the values of Houston.
"It was a great day for Houston. Houston voters stood up and said no to a radical idea of allowing men in ladies' rooms. Really. This is something that the mayor is bitter about," Patrick said.
Parker said she would only support an ordinance that included protections for 15 different groups including gender, religion, race and sex. Opponents said the ordinance would have allowed men to use women's bathrooms although the word "bathroom" did not appear in the ordinance.
Supporters had warned not passing the ordinance could have meant big events would avoid Houston.
"The Houston Local Organizing Committee looks forward to hosting the Final Four in our diverse city this spring. We are committed to working with the NCAA to ensure the event is open and accessible to all," Doug Hall, the President & CEO of the 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four Houston Local Organizing Committee said.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the outcome of the referendum "will not affect our plans for Super Bowl LI in 2017."
"We will work closely with the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee to make sure all fans feel welcomed at our events," he said. "Our policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness, and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard."
On Wednesday, just hours after polls had closed, Parker said she had already heard from groups planning activities in Houston, although she said none had canceled their plans.
The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau said it talked to one customer about the issue Wednesday.
"People need to remember. We are the most diverse city. Over 80 languages spoken and I think our actions and what we've done around electing Annise Parker and re-electing her twice speak louder than one ordinance," GHCVB President Mike Waterman said.