On Tuesday, June 8, HELP’s CEO, DeeJay Johannessen, testified before the Arlington City Council to recommend adoption of an anti-discrimination ordinance that, for the first time in Arlington, included housing, employment and public accommodation protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. The ordinance was passed unanimously by Council with nobody speaking in opposition to its adoption. Passage of the ordinance, with overwhelming support, is an exciting and welcomed advance for LGBTQ+ equality in Arlington, America’s 49th largest city.
The HELP Center has been working productively with the council, administration and staff of the City of Arlington for several years advocating for LGBTQ+ rights to ensure that Arlington is one of the best places in Texas for EVERYONE to live, work and play. Utilizing the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index as a guide, HELP has worked with city staff and council to adopt meaningful changes affecting the quality of life for the LGBTQ community in Arlington.
Two years ago, at the Arlington Museum of Art’s Keith Haring exhibit, Dr. Odom-Wesley presented DeeJay Johannessen with Arlington’s FIRST ever Gay Pride Month proclamation. Last night, DeeJay & the HELP Center represented the Arlington LGBTQ+ community and was presented with the 2021 Pride Month proclamation by Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams and Arlington City Council member Andrew Piel.
Additional Story Links
Dallas Voice
Arlington City Council votes to ban anti-LGBTQ discrimination in housing, employment
UPDATE: Arlington Council sets 2nd reading of nondiscrimination ordinances
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Arlington adds sexual orientation, gender identity to non-discrimination ordinances