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City of Houston Demanded Pastors Turn Over Sermons

Allegations that the city of Houston has subpoenaed a group of pastors to hand over any sermons on the topic of homosexuality, gender identity or the city's first openly lesbian mayor, Annise Parker. the city’s first openly lesbian mayor.

iRumorMill.com Determination: Real but Later Rescinded

UPDATE: Fox News reported on 10/29/14 Houston mayor withdraws subpoenas demanding five pastors turn over their sermons.

The subpoenas were real and failure to comply with the court order could have resulted in a charge of contempt of court, according to an October 14, 2015 opinion article by Fox News.

Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Christina Holcomb told reporters “The city’s subpoena of sermons and other pastoral communications is both needless and unprecedented.” She added, "The city council and its attorneys are engaging in an inquisition designed to stifle any critique of its actions."

The Fox article said that the Houston Chronicle reported that the non-discrimination ordinance was met with opposition by local citizens who "launched a petition drive that generated more than 50,000 signatures – far more than the 17,269 needed to put a referendum on the ballot." Citing "alleged irregularities, the city discarded the petition.

Posted 10/14/14 Updated 10/29/14