"Arlington Pride, hosted by the HELP Center for LGBTQ+ Health, announced on Friday that it is suspending next year's event in light of the city council's recent vote to remove "gender identity and expression" and "sexual orientation" as protected characteristics from the local antidiscrimination ordinance. CEO DeeJay Johannessen said that the decision was made in the name of safety."
"Trump officials threatened in August to revoke $65 million in federal grant money from the city if it did not remove language related to diversity, equity, and inclusion from its municipal code. Both Arlington and Fort Worth subsequently voted to end their DEI programs and rewrite ordinances to exclude phrases related to race and gender."
"The rule previously shielded LGBTQ+ people against "any direct or indirect exclusion, distinction, segregation, limitation, refusal, denial, or other differentiation in the treatment of a person or persons" in employment, housing, health care, and beyond."
Arlington Pride, hosted by the HELP Center for LGBTQ+ Health, suspended its 2026 event after the Arlington city council removed "gender identity and expression" and "sexual orientation" from the local antidiscrimination ordinance. The HELP Center cited safety concerns for attendees, performers, and patrons as the reason for suspension. The council voted 5-4 to permanently repeal the protections despite the mayor and three councilmembers voting to reinstate them. The ordinance had previously protected LGBTQ+ people from exclusion in employment, housing, and health care. Federal officials threatened to revoke $65 million in grants if DEI language remained, prompting ordinance rewrites and DEI program endings.
Read at Advocate.com
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