Subpoenaed Sermons

So yesterday I was contacted by folks here in Texas and also from other places in the country about a news story that claimed Houston city attorneys had subpoenaed some pastors’ sermons. As it turns out, the story is true.

I don’t have access to the lawsuit or the subpoena, so what follows is based on what we know at this point. I’ll update this post as things unfold.

Here’s what you need to know.

1. Houston passed an equal rights ordinance. (We are the only major city without one.)

2. While many churches supported the ordinance, some churches opposed it, and petitioned to have it revoked.

3. The city determined the petitioners did not have enough signatures.

4. These churches filed a lawsuit.

5. As part of pretrial discovery last month, pro bono attorneys for the city subpoenaed the parties connected with the effort to get the ballot initiative…