The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that Houston officials must either repeal the city's equal rights ordinance or place it on the November ballot.
The court in its ruling Friday determined that the city had certified an earlier petition that sought to place the equal rights measure before voters.
Although city officials and lower courts determined the petition hadn't gathered enough valid signatures, the Supreme Court found that the city by certifying the petition had put the city council in the position of either repealing the ordinance or submitting it to a popular vote.
The council has 30 days to repeal the measure or place it on the ballot.
City officials have said the ordinance is meant to offer new protections to gay and transgender residents.
