ARLINGTON, Texas — The largest Pride event in North Texas has been indefinitely suspended for 2026 following a controversial 5-4 vote by the Arlington City Council on December 9. The council voted to remove local anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ residents, women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, veterans, and families with children from the city’s ordinance.
Arlington Pride, which has drawn over 30,000 attendees annually since its 2022 launch, was scheduled for June 10 at Levitt Pavilion in downtown Arlington.
Organizer’s Statement: Safety Concerns
The HELP Center, the organization that produces Arlington Pride, issued a strong statement regarding the decision to suspend the event.
“We cannot, in good conscience, invite attendees to an event in a city that refuses to provide even the most basic protection,” said DeeJay Johannessen, CEO of the HELP Center.
Johannessen emphasized that Pride events are founded on “safety, celebration, and community.” Without local anti-discrimination safeguards, the organization stated it cannot guarantee these values for attendees, performers, and partners. The HELP Center confirmed it will continue to work with city leadership to restore the protections.
The Federal Funding Conflict
The City Council’s decision finalizes a process that began in August 2025 when the anti-discrimination ordinance was first temporarily suspended. The ongoing delays and amendments were driven by national political pressures, specifically President Donald Trump’s threat to withhold federal grant money from cities with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
City officials risked losing an estimated $65 million in federal grant money if they failed to amend the ordinance to remove the DEI language and associated local protections. The council members who voted against reinstatement cited the need to protect this essential federal funding, which supports various programs, including housing assistance.
