A Houston Community College student called out Trustee Dave Wilson for his anti-LGBT remarks at a board meeting.

Before the vote on the resolution reaffirming the college’s support of the Texas Dream Act, Wilson objected to a clause in the resolution restating HCC’s existing anti-discrimination policy, particularly the mention of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

Wilson was the only trustee to vote against the measure on Jan. 19. At the following board meeting on Feb. 23, HCC student Josue Rodriguez spoke against the trustee at the citizen’s comment portion of the meeting.

The January resolution puts the college on record as supporting the state policy that gives certain non-citizens who graduated high school in Texas in-state tuition rates. Wilson voiced his disagreement with the following portion of the resolution reiterating existing laws and policies:

“the Texas Constitution guarantees equality under the law and prohibits discrimination on the basis of national origin, and it is the policy of HCC to not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity and gender expression, (Tex. Const. art. I, § 2; HCC Board Policy FA).”

Wilson took the opportunity to talk about Kim Burrell, the preacher who was uninvited from the Ellen Degeneres Show for her anti-homosexuality sermon that went viral online. Wilson said that “It’s pretty obvious that the intent of the pro-homosexual movement is not to advance a free and tolerant society, it is to promote a society that accepts and celebrates the homosexual lifestyle and punishes those who do not agree. This is fascism, not freedom.”

Rodriguez said that students like himself will not tolerate discrimination against their peers, “Students deserve a public apology from trustees that expressed dehumanizing remarks during the discussion before the vote.” (Board meeting rules prevented Rodriguez from mentioning any particular trustee by name.)

“As elected public officials, HCC trustees have a responsibility to all HCC students,” Rodriguez pointed out, “we need to assure the safety and inclusiveness of all HCC students.”

Although Rodriguez is the president of the student body at HCC, he made it clear he is not speaking on behalf of anyone but himself when he condemned Trustee Wilson’s remarks. However, he mentioned that student government officers have received numerous complaints from students about Wilson’s comments.

Fellow trustee also called out Wilson

Trustee Zeph Capo used his allotted speaking time before the Jan. 19 vote to also condemn his fellow trustee. “I find it offensive that trustee Wilson would shift the focus of what this is really about—away from students, away from access to higher education for all students—to push an issue that is his personal vendetta. This has nothing to do with religion,” remarked Capo, who was interrupted by a round of applause from the audience.

Capo, who presented the resolution, also spoke on how the resolution was vetted to ensure it was in agreement with HCC’s current anti-discrimination policies. According to the U.S. Department of Education, gay and transgender individuals are protected from discrimination under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Deja Vu

Rodriguez is not the first student to call out Trustee Wilson on his anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender stances. Back in September 2015, the president of the LGBT student group, OUTSA, also condemned Wilson during the citizen’s comment portion of a board of trustees meeting. At the time, K. Kelly Meine was petitioning for Wilson to quit his anti-LGBT activism or be removed from office.

“We question why this trustee is working against the students he is supposed to represent,” said Meine at the Sept. 17, 2015, board meeting, “we ask that this trustee ceases behaviors that can harm the students, staff and faculty of HCC, as well as the institution itself. Failing that, we ask the board to start removal procedures against this individual.”

Trustee Wilson has been outspoken in his opposition to LGBT causes and communities for years.

Wilson has petitioned the City of Houston to establish that gender identity is assigned at birth. He also advocated against the now-overturned Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, popularly known as HERO, which among other things gave transgender individuals the choice of what public restroom to use. Wilson has also tried to remove HCC’s participation in the city’s gay pride parade.

Trustee Wilson has a streak of controversies long enough for a book, far too many to be mentioned in this article. His streak started before he took office as a trustee. Many believe that Wilson, who is white, led voters to believe he was black to be elected to his position on the board in the largely black District II which covers most of the Northeast and some Northwest portions of Houston. After being elected, he was taken to court to determine if he actually lived in-district before he could take his seat on HCC’s governing board.

Trustee Dave Wilson’s full speech:

“The problem I have with this is the first page, the whereas, that includes sexual orientation and gender identity and gender expression. You know, I never thought I would see the day when our country—which was founded on the Bible—would prosecute Christians for their beliefs. And there is no clearer example of persecution than what happened to Kim Burrell. She preached a sermon in her Church about homosexuality—based upon biblical scriptures, not her personal beliefs and it went viral on YouTube. And Burrell was canceled from the Ellen Degeneres Show because of her Christian beliefs. Burrell’s radio show at Texas Southern was canceled because of her Christian beliefs. Burrell was uninvited to the, uh, Trailblazer Gospel Award—where she was co-honored—because of her Christian beliefs. Last Sunday, I attended her Church to offer my moral and financial support. And it’s pretty obvious that the intent of the pro-homosexual movement is not to advance a free and tolerant society, it is to promote a society that accepts and celebrates the homosexual lifestyle and punishes those who do not agree. This is fascism, not freedom.”