In just five words, Mayor Annise Parker handed her increasingly vocal opponents exactly what they wanted in the battle against her proposed equal rights ordinance: "The debate is about me."

That comment, part of a longer utterance at Houston City Council's last meeting, at which the body delayed a decision on the ordinance to this Wednesday, was just what political and religious conservatives have accused Parker - the first openly lesbian mayor of a major American city - of doing for weeks: Pushing the ordinance to further her "gay agenda," or to reward gay advocates for their political support.

In laying out the proposed ordinance last month, Parker acknowledged the debate would focus on gay and transgender issues because those groups are not protected under existing laws, but she stressed the proposal was comprehensive. It would ban discrimination based not just on sexual orientation and gender identity but also, as federal laws do, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy and genetic information, as well as family, marital or military status.

Parker's recent comments undercut that comprehensive message, however, as she sought to remind council members the issue is "intensely personal."

"It's not academic. It is my life that is being discussed," said Parker, who faced death threats and had her tires slashed as a gay activist in the 1980s. "And while we can say around this council chamber that it applies to the range of protected groups - and it does and it is right and appropriate that the city of Houston finally acknowledges a local ordinance that respects African-Americans and Hispanics and those of different religions - the debate is about me. The debate is about two gay men at this table."

Parker added to her comments after the meeting, saying she understands how "incredibly painful" it is for gay residents to hear opponents say, "I don't hate gay people, I don't hate transgender people, I just ought to have the right not to let them come into my business."

'So destructive'

The measure would apply to businesses that serve the public, private employers, housing, city employment and city contracting. Religious institutions would be exempt. Violators could be fined up to $5,000.

"That was so destructive," Rice University political scientist Bob Stein said of Parker's comments. "Because what they've done is they've made it an Annise Parker issue, and she's not popular. She gave the black ministers and the white tea party people common ground now. It's the worst thing she could have done."

Councilman Michael Kubosh - elected with a coalition of conservative and black voters last fall - drew scattered yells of support from the otherwise civil audience in rebutting Parker's comments minutes later.

"I know you say it's about you, but, mayor, this is really about all of us," Kubosh said. "It's not really about you; it's about everybody here."

The Rev. Max Miller, of Baptist Ministers Association of Houston and Vicinity, added, "One thing we did hear: It's personal. You cannot represent the people of this city on a personal matter."

That sentiment has been echoed by other critics, such as megachurch pastors Steve Riggle of Grace Community Church and Ed Young of Second Baptist.

Restroom issue

Some ordinance supporters have groused that Parker's team - by her "personal" comments and by a failure to recruit larger numbers of minorities to address council - let the debate become focused on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity rather than on broader protections. Conservatives seized, for instance, on a transgender-targeted provision, now proposed to be struck, that discussed a biological male's right to use the women's restroom.

Houston political consultant Mustafa Tameez did not put much stock in that criticism, however.

"Regardless of who showed up, how many people showed up, the political operatives would have always made the same GLBT charge against the mayor," he said. "There were dozens of people from different faiths, different communities that spoke on multiple City Council hearings. The mayor's detractors, it's easy for them to put the blinders on and only see what they want to see when, in reality, we are the only big city that doesn't have an ordinance like this that protects a whole range of people."

It is far from clear that any brouhaha over Parker's comments will put the ordinance in jeopardy. City Hall insiders long have estimated the votes in favor at no fewer than 11 and see no drop in that count in recent days.

Focus misplaced

Councilwoman Ellen Cohen, who has helped rally support for the measure, said any focus on the mayor's comments is misplaced. The ordinance is not a GLBT ordinance, she said, but is designed to give all those who face discrimination a local venue for complaints.

"If someone is looking for an excuse, they might use that, but I don't think that's a reason not vote for it," Cohen said of Parker's comments. "I personally think the mayor has conducted herself with dignity, with the best interest of the city at heart, for the last 4.5 years. She was saying the discussion was personal, not the ordinance."

Cohen said she expects, however, to see the mayor's comments become fodder for a push to overturn the ordinance by referendum, an effort for which opponents say they already are gathering signatures. Houston voters twice have rejected protections or benefits for gays, in 1985 and in 2001.

"People who are opposed to the ordinance will use any and all methods they possibly can to destroy the credibility of anyone who's trying to vote for it," Cohen said, pointing to threats of recall elections targeting council members who vote in favor. "It saddens me. Intimidation is a terrible way to conduct a democracy."