AG candidate to Mayor Castro: Drop LGBT ordinance

AUSTIN — The firestorm surrounding San Antonio's proposed non-discrimination ordinance is spreading from local government into state politics.

State Rep. Dan Branch, a Dallas Republican campaigning for attorney general, sent a letter to Mayor Julián Castro on Monday asking that he withdraw the proposed city council ordinance that would ban discrimination of employees based on sexual orientation.

Branch argues that banning discrimination against gay people would in turn unfairly discriminate against people of faith.

“The proposed ordinance itself discriminates — against people of faith,” wrote Branch. “The proposed city ordinance would exclude citizens from being appointed to city office ... if they believe — as millions of people of faith do — in the traditional institution of marriage.”

Branch takes issue with part of the ordinance that reads, “No appointed official or member of a board or commission shall engage in discrimination or demonstrate a bias, by word or deed, against any person” on the basis of sexual orientation.

Five other large cities in Texas have similar ordinances prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation including Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso and Houston. Branch did not mention his district's ordinance in the letter.

Branch, 55, filed a court brief earlier this month supporting the state's ban on gay marriage.

“Equating traditional marriage with discrimination is deeply offensive to millions of Texans and Americans of faith,” Branch said.

A request for comment from Castro's office was not immediately returned.

Branch is campaigning to replace Attorney General Greg Abbott, who is running for governor, as the state's top lawyer.

Two other Republicans are challenging Branch for the seat, including state Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, and Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman. The primary elections are March 4 and the general election is November 4, 2014.

kparker@express-news.net