1. Report From Fort Worth Human Relations Commission: Recommended Changes To Anti-Discrimination Ordinances Presented to the City Council By Estrus Tucker, Chair Fort Worth Human Relations Commission November 10, 2009

2. 22 Established in 1967 and appointed by the City Council to: Advise and consult with the City Council and City Manager on matters involving discrimination. Recommend to the City Council and City Manager measures designed to eliminate prejudice and discrimination. Promote and encourage communication and cooperation between groups interested in bettering community relations. Hold Monthly Public Meetings To hear citizen concerns regarding prejudice, discrimination and intolerance in Fort Worth. Receive information on specific complaints of discrimination; discuss and make recommendations regarding discrimination trends. Enforcement Hear and render decisions on complaints of housing discrimination when investigation indicates reasonable cause to believe discrimination has occurred. Role of Fort Worth Human Relations Commission

3. 33 February 2009 and March 2009 The FWHRC heard citizen presentations regarding prejudice, intolerance and discrimination experienced by transgender people in Fort Worth. The FWHRC reviewed ordinances from other cities to compare protected bases. –Dallas, Houston, Austin and El Paso prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. –Fort Worth prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. –Corpus Christi ordinance does not prohibit discrimination on basis sexual orientation or gender identity or gender expression. Timeline FWHRC Actions

4. 44 July 2009 The FWHRC adopted a resolution to recommend that the City Council amend the City’s anti-discrimination ordinances to prohibit discrimination in places of public accommodation, employment and housing on the bases of transgender, gender expression and gender identity. August 27, 2009 FWHRC sought endorsement of the resolution from the City Manager’s Diversity Task Force. Task Force voted unanimously to endorse and support the resolution. October 27, 2009 Reviewed definitions of transgender, gender identity and gender expression from other cities and organizations. Recommended definitions to be included in amended ordinance. Timeline FWHRC Actions

5. 55 Transgender is a person who experiences and/or expresses their gender differently from conventional or cultural expectations, including but not limited to those who express a gender that does not match the sex listed on their original birth certificate or who physically alter their sex. Recommended Definition

6. 66 Gender expression is a person’s external characteristics and behaviors, including but not limited to dress, grooming, mannerisms, speech patterns and social interaction that are socially identified with a particular gender. Recommended Definition

7. 77 Gender identity is a person’s innate, deeply felt sense of gender, which may or may not correspond to the person’s body or sex listed on their original birth certificate. Recommended Definition

8. 88 Current City Code Section 17-1 “ It is the public policy of the city that all residents and persons subject to its jurisdiction should enjoy equal freedom to pursue their aspirations and that discrimination against any individual or group because of race, creed, color, sex, religion, disability, age, national origin, familial status, or sexual orientation is detrimental to the peace, progress and welfare of our city.”

9. 9 Proposed City Code Section 17-1 “ It is the public policy of the city that all residents and persons subject to its jurisdiction should enjoy equal freedom to pursue their aspirations and that discrimination against any individual or group because of race, creed, color, sex, religion, disability, age, national origin, familial status, sexual orientation, transgender, gender identity or gender expression is detrimental to the peace, progress and welfare of our city.”

10. 10 Amendment of Anti-Discrimination Ordinance The FWHRC requests City Council approval of M&C G-16757 amending Chapters 17 Articles I, II, and III of the city code to prohibit discrimination in employment housing and places of public accommodation on the bases of transgender, gender identity or gender expression.

11. 11 Questions?