Arlington Pride Cancelled After Council Rejects LGBTQ Protections

Organizers have announced the cancellation of Arlington Pride, one of North Texas’s largest LGBTQ celebrations, following a recent vote by the City Council that rejected a proposal to establish anti-discrimination protections for gay and transgender individuals. The decision, made during a council meeting on December 9, 2025, has sparked significant backlash from community leaders and activists.

DeeJay Johannessen, CEO of the HELP Center for LGBT Health and Wellness, emphasized that the organization cannot endorse a city that lacks fundamental protections for its residents. “Pride is about safety, celebration, and community,” Johannessen stated. “Without local anti-discrimination safeguards, we cannot guarantee those values for our attendees, performers, or partners.”

Arlington Pride began in 2021 and quickly grew in popularity, drawing over 15,000 attendees to downtown Arlington in June 2025. The proposed ordinance aimed to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, employment, and public services. It also sought to extend protections against discrimination related to race, religion, national origin, sex, and disability.

The council’s decision came after months of debate and advocacy from the LGBTQ community and allies. In a narrow 5-4 vote, council members decided against restoring the protections, with some expressing concerns about the enforceability of such an ordinance. Council member Rebecca Boxall, who voted against the proposal, referred to it as “bad policy,” arguing that it would not provide adequate protection.

The city had previously suspended the ordinance in September 2025, citing fears of losing over $60 million in federal funding due to potential conflicts with the Trump administration’s policies. This move has positioned Arlington among the first cities in the United States to repeal a nondiscrimination ordinance out of concern for federal financial repercussions.

Federal law offers some protections against discrimination based on disability, race, color, religion, or national origin, but it does not explicitly cover sexual orientation or gender identity. According to the Movement Advancement Project, over 20 states and nearly 400 cities across the country have implemented policies banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, but Texas remains without such legislation. Nearby cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, and Plano have established protections for their LGBTQ residents.

Despite the setback, Mayor Jim Ross, who supported the restoration of protections, has pledged to continue advocating for LGBTQ rights in Arlington. He announced plans to revisit the ordinance in the coming weeks. “Arlington is one of the most welcoming places,” Ross stated. “We want everyone to know they can feel safe and comfortable here.”

As news of the cancellation of the 2026 Pride festival spread, reactions on social media varied. Some individuals expressed reluctance to spend time or money in a city that does not provide adequate protections, while others called for an even more vibrant celebration in response to the decision. One commenter highlighted the importance of resilience, stating, “Don’t you think now more than ever we should host a louder, more exuberant pride?”

The future of Arlington Pride remains uncertain, with community leaders urging the council to rethink its stance on LGBTQ protections and consider the implications of its decisions on the safety and well-being of all residents.