TX Mayor Defends Ban On Women Leading Prayers

The Dallas Morning News reports:

Wylie, Texas, Mayor Eric Hogue says he believes women can do “anything and everything” — so long as they don’t lead public displays of religion. Hogue is defending his beliefs after the release of an email in which he requests that only male members of a Christian missionary group say a prayer before a City Council meeting.

“What I will say is a woman can do absolutely anything and everything — but if we’re in a public setting, in a religious setting, the Bible teaches that she’s not to say a public prayer or to lead the singing or to deliver the sermon,” he said.

He reiterated that to WFAA-TV (Channel 8), saying, “I believe a lady can be president of the United States. I believe a lady can be CEO of a company, the superintendent of a school district.” But in the Church of Christ, he said, women don’t lead worship services or singing — only classes for women and children.

From the local Women Organizing Women group:

Wylie Mayor Eric Hogue has a long history of ultra-conservative, ultra-Christian, and ultra-anti-women behavior. In his latest missive (see attached photo), he proves that he’s still as misguided and offensive as ever. We’re not letting this “public official” get away with it any more.

So, WOW Dems (in collaboration with other area groups) is gathering before the Wylie City Council’s May 26th meeting to show the mayor that women HAVE VOICES. We invite you to join us in lining the street in front of the Wylie Municipal Complex and joining your voices with ours.

The council meeting starts at 6 p.m., so please join us outside the municipal complex no later than 5:30 p.m. We WILL be practicing responsible social distancing, so please take all preventative measures (PPE and standing 6 feet apart). Although we have to take precautions, we can still hold our protest signs high and make our voices heard – face masks and all!