Tensions Heighten between Subpoenaed Pastors and City of Houston

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Oct 16, 2014

Tensions Heighten between Subpoenaed Pastors and City of Houston

News broke yesterday (Oct. 15) that five Houston pastors’ sermons that mention homosexuality, gender identity or openly gay mayor Annise Parker have been subpoenaed for review by the city of Houston. Now pastors from all over the country have united in support of the pastors. 

According to Fox News, the subpoenas came after the pastors voiced opposition to the Houston “Bathroom Bill,” the piece of legislature that will allow men who identify as women to use the women’s restroom and vice versa. 

David Welch, executive director of the Texas Pastor Council, received a subpoena for his sermons. He said, “We are dealing with bullies used to getting away with abuse of power.”

Todd Starnes reports that City Attorney David Feldman defended the subpoenas because the pastors allegedly organized petitions against the Bathroom Bill. Feldman also took full responsibility for ordering the subpoenas and said that Mayor Parker did not have any knowledge of the legal action until Fox News broke the story yesterday. 

“I’m not sure what’s harder to believe – that the mayor wasn’t involved or that she reads my column,” Starnes wrote. 

Publication date: October 16, 2014



Tensions Heighten between Subpoenaed Pastors and City of Houston