Arlington council votes to reshape city’s anti-discrimination code
After over half an hour of public comments and a discussion that was at times heated, the Arlington City Council voted 7-2 on Feb. 10 to approve an ordinance that ended the suspension of the city’s anti-discrimination code and implemented a new one that lays the responsibility for discrimination claims made by residents almost entirely with the federal government.
Last fall, the City Council suspended the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance amid concerns over losing federal funding. The move, according to Arlington mayor Jim Ross, was an attempt to follow guidance from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi that governments receiving federal funds must cancel programs encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The City Council voted in December to uphold that suspension after hearing public comments from 34 people who spoke in favor of reinstating the city’s previous anti-discrimination ordinance.
In addition to approving a new anti-discrimination chapter in the city’s code, the City Council also unanimously approved a resolution “condemning discrimination, bias and hate in the City of Arlington.”
Over a dozen people gave public comment at the meeting, speaking about how removing specific language protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination made them feel like they were getting left behind.
“In order for this city to truly be the American dream city, it must support the dreams of all of its people, the health and safety of all of its people in a true and meaningful way,” Lewisville resident Chris Hoffman told the council. Hoffman said that although he does not reside in Arlington, he has spent much time there.
Two council members — Nikkie Hunter, who represents District 3, and Bowie Hogg, who represents District 7 — voted against the ordinance containing the new code.
Council member Rebecca Boxall, who represents District 5, repeatedly insisted at the meeting that the 2021 ordinance was unenforceable. Under that ordinance, Arlington residents could file a written claim to the City Administrator within 90 calendar days of an alleged instance of discrimination.
That claim could be investigated by the city, resulting in a “conciliation agreement” between parties.
Under the new ordinance, the city would not be able to investigate claims of discrimination at all, instead referring residents who make complaints to other resources, or to applicable state and federal agencies.
DeeJay Johannessen, CEO of the Arlington-based HELP Center for LGBTQ+ Health, told the council during public comment that the decision made Arlington’s queer community feel like they did not matter to the city.
“If somebody experiences discrimination in Arlington, the city will not investigate, it will not advocate, it will not take sides,” Johannessen said.
The meeting became tense at times, with some at the meeting getting into arguments with council members. One person was ejected from the council chambers during the meeting.
“Some of you think that we don’t care about everybody, which is so false,” said council member Raul Gonzalez, who represents District 2, after the council took up the item for discussion. “People assume things, and that’s so sad to me.”
Before the council took a vote, Ross reflected on the difficult decision.
“I don’t know who in the world told me in a mayor was an easy, fun thing, but lord, nights like tonight are not easy or fun,” Ross said to the other council members and to the people gathered in the chambers. “Tonight’s vote is not about perfection. It’s about responsibility.”
Other council members echoed Ross’ sentiment that although the new chapter code is far from perfect, it is better than no code at all.
“Something is better than nothing,” said District 8 council member Barbara Odom-Wesley. “Even though it’s not my preference, I think this is what we have.”
Throughout the meeting, people in attendance clapped, responded to comments being made by council members, and at times prompted Ross to order attendees to quiet down.
“It is emotional tonight, because what you’re talking about is taking away somebody’s civil rights,” Johannessen told the Star-Telegram after the meeting.
This story was originally published February 11, 2026 at 12:29 AM.
