Arlington City Council will delay a decision on whether to remove protections for LGBTQ residents from the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance.
Mayor Jim Ross said the city needs more time to seek legal counsel and understand the proposed changes. The council plans to address the issue Nov. 18.
If approved, Arlington would be one of the first U.S. cities to repeal its protections for LGBTQ residents.
City staff proposed removing “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression” from the anti-discrimination ordinance. That means the city would no longer handle complaints from LGBTQ residents who say they faced discrimination in housing, employment or other public accommodations.
Political Points
City officials say Arlington risks losing $65 million in federal funding if it does not amend the ordinance, citing President Donald Trump’s pledge to withhold federal funding from cities with diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, programs.
Community leaders disputed the city’s characterization of Trump’s order at a council meeting Tuesday. More than 40 people spoke in opposition of the amendment.
“There is no legal reason, none, to make these changes,” said DeeJay Johannessen, CEO of the HELP Center for LGBT Health and Wellness. “The staff report recommending these changes misinterprets the law. … There’s a big difference between anti-discrimination ordinances and DEI programming.”
More than 20 states and nearly 400 cities across the country have policies banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, according to the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit research organization that tracks legislation related to LGBTQ issues.
In Texas, roughly 14% of LGBTQ residents live in a city with such protections, the nonprofit says. Dallas, Fort Worth and Plano include LGBTQ residents in their anti-discrimination ordinances. Arlington added the protection in 2021.
Ross said it is critical the city complies with federal directives but also provide a safe place for all residents.
“We must balance the need to make modifications with the need to ensure that every single member of our community feels welcome, protected, respected, and is treated with dignity,” Ross said.
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