It's a big blow for gay rights activists who spent millions and earned endorsements from companies like Apple and presidential candidates like Hillary Clinton. The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance was nicknamed HERO. It would have, among other things, allowed people with various sexual identities to use whatever bathroom of the sex they identified themselves as—regardless of their biological sex.

Opponents worried it could put women and children at risk. Pastors and their churches across the city fought the measure out of that concern and because of other language in the measure.

They say the way the law was written, the city could fine and even imprison violators who did not make certain public accommodations.

Dave Welch with the Houston Area Pastors Council said it did not include strong protections for people of faith; to protect them if those public accommodations conflicted with their Biblical values. He said that was one reason Christians rallied against it. He also told CBN News that it really came down to standing for God's truth about sexuality.

Those supporting and voting for it included Houston's lesbian mayor Annise Parker.

She and others argued it was a necessary nondiscrimination ordinance to protect the LGBT community.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Courageous: Worship Leader Sean Feucht Prepares to Confront Anti-Israel Evil, Darkness, and Horror

'Australian Censorship Commissar' Orders X to Globally Remove Video of Islamic Terror Attack on Christian Bishop

New Emails Expose Biden's Connection to Whistleblower Who Got Trump Impeached

Tennessee Passes Bill Letting Teachers Carry Guns at Schools

Transgender Movement Is Losing Its Influence on Social Media to Shut Down Debate

Ohio Attorney General Breaks Down Leftist Legal 'Trick' to Block GOP Efforts to Protect Kids

Nearly 2,000 Minnesota Students, 15 Teachers Walk Out of LGBTQ 'Indoctrination' Lesson

Pro-Life Advocates to Hold Prayer and Worship Service at the United States Supreme Court on the Eve of 'Idaho v. United States' Abortion Case

'Just a Disaster': Biden's Title IX Rule Empowers LGBTQ Movement, Erases Women and Justice

WATCH: Brave School Girl Reveals in Graphic Detail How TRANS Student Savagely Assaulted Her Friend While Blasting Woke School Officials for Letting it Happen

United For Israel March Happening on the Columbia University Campus, April 25th

As Anti-Israel Activists Vandalize Texas Congressman's Office, He 'Stands With Israel'

Did Letitia James Accidentally Reveal the Real Reason for Her Trump Witch Hunt?

Unredacted Motion Reveals Collaboration between Biden White House and NARA to Concoct Classified Docs Case against Trump

Report: the WHO Makes Major Changes to the Pandemic Treaty, and They're Good Ones; But Will It Last?

Israelis Remember Hostages, Fallen Soldiers, Terror Victims as Passover Begins

She Survived a Death Camp. Facing Biden DOJ Charges, She Is Prepared to Die in Prison

Planned Parenthood Committed 392,712 Abortions, Received $699.3 Million in Taxpayer Funding in 2023

Student Loan Forgiveness: Morally Reprehensible and Legally Invalid

Columbia Classes Go Virtual Before Passover Amid Protests