Arlington council delays decision on amending LGBTQ anti-discrimination ordinance
The Arlington City Council voted Tuesday to delay making amendments to the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance, including removing protections for LGBTQ+ residents, until Nov 18.
Mayor Jim Ross said the city has requested full report on what needs to be done, and that it’s important the city remains compliant with federal directives to protect it from financial consequences.
“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.
The delay follows a month of deliberations after the city council suspended the ordinance to amend it to remove diversity, equity and inclusion language. Had this not taken place, the city said it would be at risk of losing $65 million in federal grant money.
There were 44 people who spoke in opposition to removing protections for the LGBTQ+ community during public comments and 57 non-speakers in opposition at Tuesday’s meeting.
Ross said he was proud that so many people came out to address this issue.
“I struggle with this more than I have on almost any issue that’s out there, because this deals with just human dignity and it’s hard. You know? It’s not, it’s not a fun process,” Ross told the Star-Telegram after the meeting.
The ordinance still prohibits forms of discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex or disability.
The definitions of “Gender Identity and Expression” and “Sexual Orientation” were in question when it comes to unlawful employment and public accommodation practices.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states on its website people can still file charges based on transgender status, and sexual orientation discrimination.
David Grebel, pastor of Celebration Community Church in Fort Worth and an Arlington resident, said he is opposed to removed the protections.
“Any time that we threaten to take away anti-discrimination language concerning sexual orientation or gender expression, it threatens my church and the folks that I love,” Grebel said.
DeeJay Johannessen, CEO of Help Center for LGTBQ Health and Wellness, said at the meeting he believes the Attorney General’s guidance related to federal funding states that cities should have an antidiscrimination ordinance, and they should include it in their vendor contracts.
Johannessen said he was happy the council chose to delay taking action on the amendment, and he hopes the council receives sound legal advice, showing there is no need for any change to the anti-discrimination ordinance and that federal funds aren’t at risk.
“We want to be first in a lot of things,” Johannessen said. “This isn’t it. If we say we’re the American dream city, you can’t be the American dream city and allow discrimination to happen.”
Damien Raygoza a transgender man spoke tearfully to the city council about the importance of protecting community members from discrimination.
“If they take away the rights of queer people, who’s to say they won’t go after veterans rights, the elderly rights, disabled people, women, people of color, Muslims, Hispanic people,” Raygoza said. “Where are you willing to draw the line when it comes to our unalienable rights as American citizens?”
This story was originally published October 14, 2025 at 8:51 PM.