State Sen. Leticia Van De Putte, D-San Antonio, a leading lawmaker for equal rights, is speaking out against those who are opposing an update to the city’s non-discrimination ordinance.
Van De Putte included similar statewide protections for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community with a bill she filed this last legislative session.
"I filed a bill that would add the gay and lesbian and transgender community to our state statutes with regards to employment and housing," she said.
Her bill failed to make it out of committee, but Van De Putte said it would have reduced the need for cities like San Antonio to add these protections that the federal government and military will have in place starting in September.
"The Department of Defense has made it perfectly clear that the Department of Defense will recognize not only our gay and lesbian soldiers, marines and navy seals, but will give them full partner benefits," she said. "And if San Antonio is 'Military City' then we need to follow the direction of the Department of Defense. Why wouldn’t we want them to continue to stay in San Antonio as they have."
The San Antonio non-discrimination update also includes a provision that protects Veterans from housing and employment discrimination.
Van DePutte said is concerned by those against the ordinance who are simply feeding on fear.