Houston City Council candidate Cynthia Reyes-Revilla is facing a backlash for a campaign flyer deemed a "homophobic dog whistle." Sent in a mass text to District H constituents, the flyer featured starkly contrasting images and messaging pertaining to Reyes-Revilla and her openly gay opponent, Mario Castillo, immediately igniting controversy. The Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus has called the campaign tactic "homophobic" with Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia labeling it a "hateful mailer" in an outcry on social media, according to information from the Houston Chronicle.
Reyes-Revilla's flyer attempted to boldly draw a line between her "Committed Christian Family Values" and Castillo, whom the text suggests is "not a man of Faith." The Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus has urged residents to instead back Castillo in the face of such divisive rhetoric. Meanwhile, Austin Davis Ruiz, the president of the caucus, did not mince words when condemning the tactics in an interview with Houston Public Media, calling the message "abhorrent," "disgusting," and stating it's "bewildering to me that this is happening in 2023."
The candidate has defended her initiative, claiming that it was "intended as a comparison piece to share facts and information about the opponent and myself." according to an email penned by Reyes-Revilla and obtained by both the Houston Chronicle and Houston Public Media. She further reiterated her support for the LGBTQ community, stating pride in having their representation on her team and among her supporters.
Grant Martin, speaking for the Castillo campaign, dismissed the flyer's claims, saying the claims are an "age-old tactic for gay-baiting" and added, "bless her heart," in response to Reyes-Revilla's strategies. Allegations in the flyer suggesting Castillo's lack of faith and misconduct in previous roles were earnestly debunked by the campaign, clearly refuting any suggestions of Castillo being an atheist and clarifying the end of his stint with District H council member Karla Cisneros's office was amicable as well as his honored work on a local Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, as pointed out by Houston Public Media.
