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Dallas, Texas Passes Ordinance
Prohibiting Discrimination

Employment, Housing & Public Accommodations Covered

Transgender Community Included in Citywide Protections

Compiled By GayToday

Dallas, Texas--The Dallas City Council passed an ordinance May 8 prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing and public accommodations.

Sexual orientation is defined as "an individual's real or perceived orientation as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual or an individual's real or perceived gender identity."

Mayor Laura Miller

The vote strikes a blow to intolerance and discrimination and is a large step forward for one of the south's largest cities, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

"This vote sends a message of tolerance and fairness to the entire south because Dallas is recognized as regional leader," said Seth Kilbourn, HRC's National Field Director.

"This ordinance is also good for business and that is why it received strong corporate support. We also want to thank the mayor for her outstanding leadership and efforts to end discrimination."

The strong backing of Mayor Laura Miller, who pledged her support during her campaign, helped in the 13-2 passage. At the last minute, according to transgender activists, Mayor Miller amended the ordinance so that it encompassed discrimination because of anti-transgender biases.

The ordinance exempts employers with less than 15 workers and fines of up to $500 will be given for violating it.

"We are elated with this vote that ensures basic civil rights for people in Dallas," said Steve Atkinson who has worked with the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance, the Human Rights Campaign, and Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas to pass the ordinance.

"It is long overdue in Dallas, and important for cities around the country to have these type of protections."

American Airlines executive Donald J. Carty spoke in favor of the ordinance, saying that contrary to what opponents claimed, this ordinance would benefit businesses.

Ordinance Covers Trangendered Citizens

Members of Dallas' Transsexual Community made an eleventh-hour appeal to add for the transgender community equal protection under the new law. Transgender leaders complained that the ordinance's original language left transgenders out of the bill.

Mayor Laura Miller sought the language revision after learning of the transgender community's concerns and reviewing the language of the proposal. "I didn't think that we gave a good enough definition of sexual orientation," Miller said. "I wanted the community and for city officials to be comfortable with it."

Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
U.S. Senate Poised to Consider Employment Non-Discrimination

New York City Council Passes Transgender Rights Bill

Bills Outlawing Job Discrimination Unveiled in 12 States

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"It is important to be specific, as other cities have been, when addressing the issue," said Tylana Marie Coop, initiator of the last-minute request.

"The change at the last minute to cover gender identity shows that a few or even one person who stands up for change, educating in a respectable fashion, can and will make a difference for the transgender community."

"It's why it is important for leaders to consult transgenders and other cities who have worked through it," Coop said. "I believe most people want to be fair once they have been educated about transgender issues."

Gay Alliance president Maria Rubio said that she is pleased that city officials adjusted the ordinance's language to the satisfaction of the transgender community. Everyone involved in the ordinance's preparation intended for it to be comprehensive, she said.