Arlington Pride, a major celebration in North Texas, has been canceled due to the City Council’s decision to repeal local protections for LGBTQ residents. Organizers announced that the event, scheduled for 2026, will not proceed after the council voted against a plan to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The vote, which ended in a narrow 5-4 decision, has raised concerns about the safety and inclusivity of the community.
The CEO of the HELP Center for LGBT Health and Wellness, DeeJay Johannessen, expressed disappointment in a statement, emphasizing that “Pride is about safety, celebration, and community.” Johannessen noted that without local anti-discrimination safeguards, the organization cannot ensure these values for attendees, performers, or partners. The HELP Center serves both Arlington and Fort Worth, highlighting the broader implications of the council’s decision.
Arlington Pride, which began in 2021, quickly grew to become one of the largest events of its kind in North Texas, attracting over 15,000 participants in June 2025. The city had previously enacted an ordinance that prohibited discrimination in housing, employment, and public services based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This ordinance was temporarily suspended in September 2025 due to concerns that Arlington could lose more than $60 million in federal funding after former President Donald Trump threatened to withhold financial support from cities with such protections.
The recent vote makes Arlington one of the first cities in the United States to repeal a nondiscrimination ordinance due to fears of federal repercussions. Some council members, including Rebecca Boxall, who opposed the reinstatement of protections, argued that the ordinance was unenforceable. Boxall stated, “From the very beginning, it was unenforceable at the city level,” questioning the efficacy of such protections and labeling them as “bad policy.”
Federal law provides protections against discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, or disability but does not explicitly safeguard against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. According to the Human Rights Campaign, over 20 states and nearly 400 cities in the U.S. have enacted policies banning such discrimination; however, Texas does not include LGBTQ residents in its statewide protections. In contrast, cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, and Plano have incorporated these protections into their local ordinances.
Mayor Jim Ross, who voted in favor of restoring protections, has pledged to continue advocating for LGBTQ rights in Arlington. He stated, “Arlington is one of the most welcoming places. We want everyone to know they can feel safe and comfortable here.” Ross indicated that the council would revisit the ordinance in the near future, signaling a potential shift in policy.
Reactions to the cancellation of the 2026 Pride festival have been mixed on social media. Some community members expressed their reluctance to spend time or money in a city that does not provide basic protections, while others suggested that the situation could galvanize the LGBTQ community to host an even larger event in the future. One social media user remarked, “Don’t you think now more than ever, we should host a louder, more exuberant pride?”
Arlington Pride’s cancellation highlights the ongoing struggles faced by the LGBTQ community in securing fundamental rights and protections across the United States. As discussions continue regarding the future of LGBTQ rights in the city, the impact on community events and celebrations remains a pressing concern.
