Arlington considers suspending its anti-discrimination ordinance
The city of Arlington will consider suspending the “anti-discrimination” chapter of its code of ordinances when it meets Tuesday.
The chapter was adopted in June 2021, when the City Council unanimously approved the anti-discrimination ordinance, shielding members of federally protected classes from discrimination in housing, employment and access to public services. The ordinance specified that the city does not allow discrimination of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“The City of Arlington celebrates its diverse population, and as such seeks to promote the rights of every individual to work and earn wages through gainful employment, to obtain and enjoy goods, services, facilities and accommodations in all places of public accommodation, and to obtain housing,” the chapter begins.
Within a year of the anti-discrimination chapter being added, Arlington’s score for the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index rose to a perfect 100. The year before, the city received a score of 63. In 2013, Arlington got an 11.
The staff report associated with the potential suspension says the erasure of the anti-discrimination chapter is recommended “in an effort to comply with federal directives” prohibiting any promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion.
The charge comes from President Donald Trump in one of his first presidential actions. It undoes President Joe Biden’s executive order aiming to advance racial equity.
Fort Worth City Council ended all diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the city on Aug. 6 to avoid losing $277 million in federal grant money.
The City Council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 101 W. Abram St.