On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into federal law. The landmark bill outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Fifty years later — in 2014 — fair-minded individuals are still working in cities and states across the United States to extend civil protections to every American, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation:
- In May, Houston City Council and Mayor Annise Parker adopted the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) which bans discrimination in housing and employment among 14 characteristics – including protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- In June, federal judges struck down same-sex marriage bans in Utah, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.
- In the decade since Massachusetts became the first state to allow same-sex marriages in 2004, the practice has become legal in 18 more states.
I like how President Barack Obama said it recently:
When all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.
Our Montrose neighborhood has been inclusive and gay-friendly since the 1980s, and still hosts Houston’s annual Pride festival and parade on a Saturday in mid-June. When the girls woke from good, long, 3-cycle (2:15) naps, we could already hear the music, five blocks away. Auntie Emily was in town, and we decided to wander over to Westheimer and check things out.
Westheimer
As we walked toward Westheimer, mingling with other festival-goers, we got lots of smiles, a couple of winks, and even a “go, girl!” It dawned on me that the four of us looked the part of a happy, non-traditional family. We could do worse!
Auntie Emily and Cate
Mama Bob and Sam
On Westheimer, we encountered couples in matching bikinis, individuals wearing fairy wings, vendors hawking loads of rainbow gear, and scantily-clad dancers.
But, it was hot and loud and both Cate and Sam looked daunted. Just as I started to propose we walk home again, we were rescued by Lyle Bento, the sous chef of the award-winning restaurant, Underbelly. He asked us if the girls needed some water, paused, and then proposed ice cream. We accepted, and he returned a few minutes later with the fanciest push pops I’ve ever encountered: vanilla and chocolate ice cream, chocolate brownie, and fresh blueberries, emerging gracefully from a sleek plastic sleeve. Thank you, Lyle!
On the way home, Cate and Sam both stopped to splash in the dolphin fountain next to Lamar Park.
Cate splashing in the dolphin’s spray
Sam splashing in the dolphin’s spray
I don’t know whether or when the Supreme Court will finally declare marriage bans unconstitutional. And I don’t know whether the Texas Legislature will act to expand marriage rights to all individuals without federal intervention. But I hope that by the time our girls and their peers are old enough to start choosing partners, that any two consenting adults will have the right to love and marry and raise children. It would be cool if Pride celebrations could morph into cultural events without the need to be a political rallying cry. In the meantime, happy Pride Day!
Houston City Hall
