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Arlington City Council approves replacement anti-discrimination ordinance after lengthy public comment
Summary
After more than an hour of public comment from residents and advocacy groups urging stronger local protections, the Arlington City Council voted to approve a replacement anti-discrimination ordinance (item 8.2) on Feb. 24, 2026. Supporters of restoring the previous ordinance said the substitute defers enforcement to state and federal systems and lacks teeth.
Arlington City Council approved a replacement anti-discrimination ordinance (item 8.2) on Feb. 24 after an extended public hearing in which dozens of residents, disability advocates and LGBTQ service providers urged the council to retain or restore stronger local protections.
Dozens of speakers addressed the council during the item pulled for separate consideration. “This proposed resolution gives permission to the bigots, homophobes and racists in Arlington to deny housing, employment and health care to those who are deemed other,” said Leslie Rathbun, an Arlington resident. Multiple speakers described the proposed ordinance as a deferral of responsibility that refers discrimination complaints to state…
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