After a large public outcry, Houston officials backed down Wednesday from its effort to force local pastors to turn over copies of sermons and all other related material regarding a controversial equal rights ordinance.
It was made public Tuesday that city attorneys subpoenaed five pastors who have been vocally outspoken regarding the equal rights ordinance, which bans racial and sexual orientation discrimination in city employment and contracting, demanding copies of sermons and other speeches.
But after strong public criticism, the city seems to be backing down on the extent of their request.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker issued a statement late Wednesday agreeing "with those who are concerned about the city legal department's subpoenas for pastors' sermons."
The city will now "move to narrow the scope during an upcoming court hearing," reported the Washington Times. According to city attorney David Feldman, "the focus should be only on communications related to the petitions to overturn the ordinance."
But such statements don't satisfy the legal counsel working to stop the subpoena. Joseph La Rue of the Alliance Defending Freedom group called the mayor's statement "wholly inadequate," noting that the city is still asking for sermons and documents related to the petition drive.
"These sermons emails and texts have nothing to do with whether the coalition gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot," said La Rue.
The subpoenas were originally issued by "pro bono attorneys helping the city prepare for the trial regarding the petition to repeal the new Houston Equal Rights Ordinance," and neither Parker nor Feldman were aware of the orders until Tuesday, according to the city's statement.
However, Parker reaffirmed her position Tuesday, posting on Twitter, "If the 5 pastors used pulpits for politics, their sermons are fair game. Were instructions given on filling out anti-HERO petition?"
Feldman previously suggested that he believes the documents could shed light on whether the opposition signature gatherers were aware of the rules governing the referendum process.
