Fort Worth Human Relations Commission appoints LGBTQ+ advisory committee. Dallas doesn't even have a commission.
Dallas doesn't have a human rights commision to which to appoint an LGBTQ+ committe to. Dallas Voice decides that this LGBTQ+ advisory board isn't news.
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Fort Worth Human Relations Commission appoints LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee.
Sept. 19, 2024, Fort Worth Weekly, by Cecilia Lenszen, “New committee will advise Fort Worth leaders, council on LGBTQ issues.”
The article has the history of what led up to the creation of this board.
In a “show of commitment” to LGBTQ residents, Fort Worth leaders have created a committee designed to inform and advise City Council and the city manager on matters related to the LGBTQ community.
The new advisory committee — a first of its kind in Fort Worth — will focus on LGBTQ concerns, identifying equal opportunities for LGBTQ residents and providing education on LGBTQ topics, said Christina Brooks, the director of the city’s diversity and inclusion department.
It falls under the umbrella of the city’s Human Relations Commission which is basically a human rights commission.
https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/government/boards/list-boards-commissions#section-26
https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/citysecretary/events/human-relations-commission-2022
This is the agenda of the meeting in which the committee was created.From the minutes.
Backlash against it.
Sept. 25, 2024, Fort Worth Weekly, by Cecilia Lenzen, “Fort Worth’s new LGBTQ advisory committee sparks backlash, support from City Council.”
Just over a week after Fort Worth’s Human Relations Commission took the next step in creating an LGBTQ advisory subcommittee, City Council members have taken opposing stances on the committee’s creation, its role in city government and its necessity in Fort Worth.
KERA also covered this backlash.
No reporting on this advisory board by the Dallas Voice.
City Council members against it on one pretence or another.
Macy Hill.
This is her Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/MacyHillForFortWorth
Her Linkedin page.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/macy-hill-327752/
Her city council page.
https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/government/elected-officials/macy-hill
From that we find that she is on the board of the Healing Shepherd.
https://www.hsc-tc.org/who-we-are/
This is run by the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County.
The Union Gospel Mission is involved in court cases over its anti-LGBT discrimination.
This Union Gospel Mission in Canada says that they have similar names but they don’t discriminate like the other ones do.
https://ugm.ca/news/union-gospel-mission-serving-lgbtq2s-community
Macy Hill is also on the Tarrant County/Ellis County Advisory Board for The Salvation Army.
Vox, Dec. 16, 2019, “The Salvation Army says it doesn’t discriminate against LGBTQ people. Critics say that’s not true.”
https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/12/16/21003560/salvation-army-anti-lgbtq-controversies-donations
CNN, Nov. 18, 2019, “Chick-fil-A will no longer donate to anti-LGBTQ organizations.”
One of these organizations they stopped donating to was the Salvation Army.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/18/business/chick-fil-a-lgbtq-donations/index.html
Maybe Macy Hill worries that the Human Relations Commission might investigate the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrent County.
Alan Blaylock
This is Blaylocks Fort Worth City Councilmember page. Doesn’t seem to have more than a few posts.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081865623925
https://www.alanblaylock.com/meet-alan
Declined to sign off on a Pride Proclamation.
KERA News, Aug. 5, 2024, “Fort Worth’s proclamation process has council members divided. Here’s why.”
Notice that the religious affiliations of those opposed is missing.
During the week before the meeting, Lauersdorf and council members Macy Hill, Alan Blaylock and Michael Crain declined to sign off on the Pride proclamation. As a result, it could not be presented as a proclamation.
Also, reported in Fort Worth Report.
During the past few years, the Fort Worth City Council has passed multiple proclamations recognizing June as Pride month, which highlights and celebrates the LGBTQ community. This year, however, several council members refused to sign the proclamation, including Alan Blaylock, Macy Hill and Charlie Lauersdorf.
I think the real motivations of Alan Blaylock for being upset with the LGBTQ+ advisory board are clear.
Usual DFW ranting anti-LGBT art upset.
https://texasscorecard.com/local/city-of-fort-worth-creates-new-lgbt-advisory-committee/
Carlos Turcios has been campaigning against it on X.
https://x.com/Carlos__Turcios/status/1839444718146539712
Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, San Antonio have boards. Dallas has nothing.
Houston LGBT advisory board.
https://www.houstontx.gov/boards/lgbtadvisoryboard-intro.html
Austin has an a commission for LGBTQ. It has an annual reports. It is a commission in itself, not just a group to advise a commission. It reports directly to the City Council.
https://theaustincommon.com/event/lgbtq-commission-town-hall-meeting/
San Antonio’s board reports directly to the City Council.
https://www.saspeakup.com/t1838
Dallas not only doesn’t have a LGBTQ board of some type, there is no Human Rights Commision to report to. Seems the “Dallas Way” is a failing way.
Never got a reply from the Mayor or response from the elected Gay city council members.
This is the link to the petition to get a Human Rights Commission for Dallas.
https://www.change.org/DallasHumanRightsCommission