To Locke: "The GLBT Community Will Not Be Played For A Fool"

I wrote about Gene Locke's responses to the Houston Stonewall Young Democrats questionnaire. Now that Hotze has sent out a mailer with the endorsement Locke requested, HSYD has a response - and calls on Locke for an answer. Tonight's ABC13 debate at 8 PM would be a good time for that, if Locke shows up. HYSD press release below: 

HSYD Calls on Gene Locke to Clarify his Alleged Support for the GLBT Community

The Houston Stonewall Young Democrats would like to ask Mayoral Candidate Gene Locke to clarify his position regarding the GLBT community after he has failed to repudiate the endorsement of the well known anti-gay activist, Steven Hotze. Hotze, who is widely known in Houston for fighting to deny GLBT individuals and women basic rights, has publicly endorsed Mr. Locke in recent days. Mr. Hotze not only strongly supported the “Straight Slate” in the 1980s, but he also fought vigorously to deny domestic partner benefits to city employees and prevent GBLT individuals from assuming city offices.

“We would like for Mr. Locke to explain the discrepancy between his answers while screening for our endorsement, and his reaction (or lack thereof) to Mr. Hotze’s support,” said HSYD President Brandon Webb.  “In HSYD’s screening questionnaire, Gene touted that he ‘wrote the [city] policy that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation,’ and answered “Yes” to questions asking if he would support a statewide employment non-discrimination law and the rights of GLBT couples to adopt.  These answers are in stark contrast to Mr. Locke’s decision to meet with, and lobby for the endorsement of, a notorious bigot who has spent the last 20 years trying to prevent gay Houstonians from having equal rights. There is a disconnect here that only the candidate can explain”.

The Houston Chronicle and other reliable news sources have confirmed that Mr. Locke met with Hotze and his political consultant, Allen Blakemore, to discuss the possibility of endorsement before the November 3rd election.  Now that Steven Hotze has decided to send out mailers touting Locke as his choice for mayor, the candidate has refused comment.

“The GLBT community will not be played for a fool. When Mr. Locke stated to us that he would be ‘Very Visible’ in advocating for GLBT rights, we never expected that he would turn around and beg a strongly anti-gay conservative for support. We demand an explanation,” said Webb.

The Houston Stonewall Young Democrats is a group of Houston area young progressives, aged 14 to 40, whose focus is to educate the GLBT community about the issues affecting them, to mobilize the community to get out to vote on Election Day for fair-minded Democrats, and to fight for GLBT civil rights while leading the Democratic party to continue improving its record on issues important to our community.