Lauren Marek

Leader, author, Houston native, and fighter of Hunger, Homelessness & HIV in Houston. Pastor Rudy believes that we are all God's children and that everyone should be treated fairly and equally.

"This is my city, I love it, however, when I was growing up, Houston had two water fountains; one marked 'colored only' and one marked 'whites only'. When I was a little kid, I decided that if there was one thing I could do, it would be to create a place where there was only one water fountain: which meant there was fairness for everyone; equal access for everyone. Jesus said love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and to love your neighbor as you love yourself. The Bible also says that God did not send his son so that the world might be condemned. At the end of the day, we are all God's creation. Everybody."

Mom-to-be, marketing director, and native Houstonian. Monica believes that all Houstonians should be treated fairly and equally.

"As a proud Texan and Houstonian, I've grown up in a place that respects and celebrates diversity and the freedom to be who I want to be. A vote YES for HERO will assure that I will continue to be protected for my life choices, including starting a family and becoming a mother."

Mother to a Down Syndrome-affected family and member of Houston's Jewish community. Michele believes that Houston is a place where we should all be treated fairly and equally.

"Our family is different from most. I have a 7 year-old nonverbal child with Down Syndrome and Autism on a physically 18-month old level. Because he's different, going out in public can become very difficult, and we feel the threat of discrimination any time we go out. My son is not the only special needs child out there. And families like ours have the right to be out in public too, they should not feel hindered to do everything everybody else is able to do, and they shouldn't have to fear being denied service because of their child's needs, the color of their skin, just because they're different, or because of their religion. When we are able to actually go to an event it's exciting, it means that our family gets to be part of everybody else's family and that is amazing for us. My hope is that discrimination doesn't get in the way of that."

Adoptive and foster mother; advocate for social justice, disability justice, and racial awareness. Morénike fights against HIV-related stigma, and believes that everyone's family should feel safe no matter where they go.

"Houston is almost the 3rd largest city in the US. We need to step up. I want to know that my family is going to be treated fairly when we go into a business, or my kids are at school; and that if that is not the case, that there is a way to deal with it locally. I want to know that we don't have to be second class citizens; that this is not the Jim Crow South. I want to know that no matter who my children want to love, the color of their skin, whether they move differently, or speak differently because of their disability, that we can feel safe. We have experienced discrimination and others have too. It's time for us to change that."