Many people are surprised to learn that in the fourth largest city in the country, it’s perfectly legal to fire someone, deny them an apartment, or refuse them service at a business simply because of who they are.

That’s why, earlier this year, activists in Houston were pushing for HERO, the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, a law protecting Houston residents from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, familial status, military status, religion, disability, genetic information, and sex.

With leadership from Mayor Annise Parker, the City Council approved HERO, protecting LGBT people and many others from discrimination.

But the celebrations didn’t last long. Opponents immediately began work to repeal the new law, attacking LGBT people in the process. The implementation of the ordinance has been halted while the debate in the courts continues.

As attorneys make the case before judges, Houston activists are committed to making the case for the law before the public. And the Federation is committed to helping them succeed.

To support their effort, Equality Texas brought in my colleague, Roey Thorpe, and me. Over the past many months, we’ve been working with our friends at the Movement Advancement Project on a research initiative focused on effective messaging for talking about nondiscrimination with the public. Our role on the research team is all about training and implementation — making sure advocates working on-the-ground to advance nondiscrimination hear about and use the messaging strategies that we’ve found effective.

In the past year, we’ve trained groups as small as 6 and as big as 45 at more than 15 events. Our trip to Houston is just one more example of how we’re ensuring that groups who are working to win nondiscrimination protections have the skills and expertise they need.

Over the course of two days in Houston, we conducted three trainings for 60 people. It was a whirlwind trip!

We started with a group of committed African American activists who requested messaging support and guidance as part of their work to build a Speakers Bureau. These incredible advocates realize the need to do outreach within the black community in Houston, and they’re mobilizing and organizing to make that a reality. These activists were most concerned about how to use this messaging to be most effective in their conversations.

Next, we trained staffers who work for the Mayor and members of the City Council. These folks have been on the front lines of responding to public questions and concerns as they receive calls and inquiries from constituents. These dedicated staffers made time in their busy schedules to talk with us — sharing some of what they’re hearing from Houston residents who believe strongly in protecting people from discrimination but have questions about how nondiscrimination laws might impact them.

Finally, we wrapped up our trip with a training for LGBT folks and allies who have been a big part of advocating for nondiscrimination protections in Houston. Along with the African American activists who joined us the evening before, these advocates have organized, testified, and shared their stories in order to advance HERO. Now with the future of the ordinance up in the air, they’re doubling down on their efforts to educate the public about why nondiscrimination protections are so important.

While in Houston, we saw the incredible strength of these activists. They’ve been through so much together. Tireless advocacy to get HERO introduced followed by grassroots organizing to build the necessary support.

Then countless hours of testimony. Even as dozens and dozens of LGBT folks and allies shared their stories and reasons for supporting HERO, these activists were subjected to some really hurtful vitriol, scare tactics, and outright lies from opponents of the ordinance.

And although HERO was passed, their work is still not done.

Despite the ups-and-downs they’ve experienced throughout this process, Houston activists are committed to getting the job done. They’re passionate. They’re deeply connected to one another. And they’re ready to do whatever it takes to secure these critical protections for the community.

At the Federation, we’re proud to have witnessed their determination and to have supported their continued work. At the end of the day, we know Houston residents will be protected from discrimination. We don’t yet know how we’ll get to that final victory, but with these dedicated activists giving so much of themselves, we know we will win.