Time running out for critics of Equal Rights Ordinance

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Critics of the controversial Equal Rights Ordinance are still trying to get it on the November ballot, but they are running out of time.

Monday morning, David Wilson with the group Houstonians for Family Values appeared before Judge Brent Gamble to try to force the City of Houston secretary to count signed petitions. The petitions call for a referendum to define gender identity as whatever was assigned at birth.

Judge Gamble did not rule on whether or not the city secretary must count the petitions; instead, he agreed with city attorneys that they had not received sufficient notice for the hearing to take place.

Wilson represented himself in court, saying his attorney is on vacation.

"The biggest problem we have in the city of Houston is the moral, the social and the ethical decay in our society," Wilson said, "And this is just a situation to try to stop the tide of that moral decay that's happening in our society."

The city attorney said even if the petitions are counted, the HERO ordinance still wouldn't make it on the November ballot. She said there are several factual issues that would have to be addressed.

Wilson plans on discussing his next legal move with his attorney when he returns from vacation.