Readers React: LGBT discrimination doesn’t work in the Mideast; how about Houston?

To the editor: The culture wars are alive and well in cities such as Houston. (“Nondiscrimination ordinance puts Houston at the center of latest LGBT rights battle,” Nov. 2)

It is frightening to hear individuals such as the father of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) railing against a nondiscrimination ballot initiative in that city. He is “appalled” that the city of Houston, “right in the middle of the Bible Belt,” has a gay mayor.

Mayor Annise Parker must be doing something right, having been elected numerous times to public office in that city.

The Rev. Ed Young of Houston’s Second Baptist Church is “fearful that Houston will become secular and godless” if the initiative passes.

The religious caliphate that people like Cruz and Young want to impose on Houston is frightening.

Whatever the result of Tuesday’s vote, one can only hope that the people of Houston will state once and for all that religious prejudice has no place in government in the United States. It hasn’t worked in the countries of the Middle East, and most certainly it will not work here.

Gary Tereshkow, Palm Springs

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook