All of Texas鈥� biggest cities have passed ordinances that ban discrimination against people based on sexual orientation 鈥� except for San Antonio. That changed on Thursday when the San Antonio City Council voted 8 to 3 to adopt its own policy. Hundreds of people testified for several hours on Wednesday and Thursday.
The ordinance, which goes into effect immediately, prevents the city and local businesses from discriminating against LGBT individuals. Proponents have claimed that before the ordinance, LGBT individuals could be kicked out of public places at the owner鈥檚 discretion. In a separate motion, the Council also voted to add veteran status to the city鈥檚 non-discrimination policy.
San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro supported the ordinance. Attorney General Greg Abbott, who is running for Texas governor, sent a letter to Castro, saying the ordinance would force the city into costly litigation.
