Officials in Houston, Texas are embroiled in a bitter legal battle with religious pastors after new laws were proposed giving officials the right to demand sermons to examine whether they discriminate against homosexual and transgender people.

The move is part of a raft of new proposals attempting to tackle discrimination towards the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities in America’s fourth largest city. The measures were part approved in June by Annise Parker, the city’s mayor but has met stiff opposition in religious circles. Now those opposed to the new measures have formed a coalition and filed a suit against the city and Ms Parker. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a US law firm representing four pastors, argues that the measures are “overbroad, unduly burdensome, harassing and vexatious.”

ADF lawyer Christina Holcomb called the actions “an inquisition designed to stifle any critique”.

“Political and social commentary is not a crime,” she said. “It is protected by the First Amendment.”

ADF attorneys say the city is illegitimately demanding that the pastors, who are not part to the lawsuit, turn over their constitutionally protected sermons and other communications simply so the city can see if the pastors have ever opposed or criticized the city.

“City council members are supposed to be public servants, not ‘Big Brother’ overlords who will tolerate no dissent or challenge. In this case they are embarked on a witch hunt, and we are asking the court to put a stop to it,” said ADF attorney Erik Stanley.