Dallas Eyes Stronger LGBT Protections, Aims To Cash In On Houston’s Defeat Of HERO
A week after Houston voters overwhelmingly repealed an Equal Rights Ordinance, the Dallas City Council is set to vote Tuesday on a proposal that would strengthen the citys LGBT protections.
Dallas has had an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance similar to the defeated Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, or HERO since 2002. However, when the Dallas ordinance was approved, gender identity was erroneously included under the definition of sexual orientation. The ordinance prohibits discrimination citywide in employment, housing and public accommodations.
A proposal set for consideration by the Dallas City Council on Tuesday would list gender identity and expression separately alongside sexual orientation, and clearly define the terms. Gender identity and expression would be defined as an individuals real or perceived gender identity as male, female, both, or neither. Sexual orientation would be defined as the actual or perceived status of an individual with respect to the individuals sexuality, including heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual.
In addition, the proposal would add a declaration that the city of Dallas encourages all entities to recognize the rights of all individuals, regardless of whether theyre exempt from the nondiscrimination ordinance. For example, the ordinance exempts religious organizations and companies with fewer than 15 employees, as well as state and federal government agencies.
Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2015/11/dallas-eyes-stronger-lgbt-protections-aims-cash-houstons-defeat-hero/