July 31st, 2009
The Fort Worth Human Relations Commission this week voted unanimously in favor of a resolution calling for the city to amend its anti-discrimination policy to include protections for transgenders. The resolution now goes to the new City Manager\’s Diversity Task Force, and then on to the City Council for final approval.
The City Manager’s Diversity Task force was established by the city in the wake of last month’s raid of the Rainbow Lounge by Ft. Worth police and agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. But according to Human Rights Commission member Lisa Thomas, this particular police recommendation from the Commission was was the result of more than a year’s worth of work. Several transgender residents spoke before the commission last March to talk about the discrimination they face at work and elsewhere.
Meanwhile, that newly formed Diversity Task Force, which met for the first time on July 23, discussed providing partner benefits to city employees. They are also taking up issues surrounding diversity training and LGBT economic development (i.e. resources for businesses and tourism).
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Cathy Cat
August 1st, 2009
I am glad to read this bit of good news about where I live.
As I understand it, plans to make a presentation relating to transgender concerns to the City of Fort Worth’s Human Relations Commission were firmed up during Equality Texas’ Lobby Day in Austin on 3/2/2009 – a day when GLBTI’s and others came together to speak up for themselves and each other.
The city’s HRC meeting took place on 3/24/2009, and although few attended and spoke, those few made a positive impact on the commission. But I suspect that the firestorm created by the Rainbow Lounge Raid greatly helped to educate and push the commission to do the right thing. Hopefully, the city council will agree, and transgender protections will be implemented in Tarrant County soon.
If we all stand together in responsible action for each other, we make progress.
Ephilei
August 19th, 2009
woot!
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