06.13.2023

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

55º | Mostly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. | Sunset 5:36 p.m.

Pride all year round

Learn more about how our Municipal Equality Index score has changed over time

Last year’s Trinity Pride on Magnolia Green. | Photo by @sleepypanther.co

Every year, the Human Rights Campaign releases a Municipal Equality Index which dives into municipal laws, policies, and services to score the city’s inclusivity of LGBTQ+ people. Here’s how we did over the last three years:

In 2020, we scored 100 out of 100
In 2021, we scored 100 out of 100
In 2022, we scored 100 out of 100

Let’s break down how we got here… and how that score may change.

Non-discrimination laws

This category awards up to 30 points based on whether LGBTQ+ discrimination is prohibited by law in areas of employment, housing, and public accommodation. We’ve maintained a score of 30 out of 30 from 2020 to 2023.

Municipality as employer

Cities as employers can achieve points by meeting certain guidelines for ensuring an inclusive workplace and benefits.

We’ve kept a score of 20 out of 28, and earned our perfect score with flex points.

Services and programs

This section evaluates efforts to include LGBTQ+ communities in services and programs. And we’ve scored 12 out of 12 the past three years.

Law enforcement

This section has 22 available points and looks at the relationship between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community. We’ve kept all points from 2020 to 2023.

Leadership on LGBTQ+ equality

This section has eight available points and looks at city leadership’s commitment to advocacy and inclusion.

We’ve stayed at seven out of eight points.

Looking ahead

The past three years suggest that our score is holding steady, but there’s room to earn more points. While we won’t know our 2023 score until December, now is a good time to reflect on current laws and policies that affect LGBTQ+ communities.

Here are some recommendations from the HRC for how we could increase our 2022 score: The municipality could offer transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits to its employees and could reinstate several of its services offered to the LGBTQ+ community in 2020 + 2021, like those for youths.

Events

Tuesday, June 13

Juneteenth Youth Empowerment Job Camp | Tuesday, June 13-Friday, June 16 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | MLK Community Center, 5565 Truman Dr., Fort Worth | Free | Teens ages 15-18 are invited to participate in workshops and activities that will foster self-confidence, interview skills, and job readiness.
Anderson Park Public Hearing | Tuesday, June 13 | 6 p.m. | Council Chamber, City Hall, 200 Texas St., Fort Worth | Free | Attend the City Council meeting to share your thoughts on the relation of the northwest side water line.

Wednesday, June 14

Nature Hike | Wednesday, June 14 | 9-10:30 a.m. | Nature Center, 9601 Fossil Ridge Rd., Fort Worth | $5 | Take in the beauty of nature during this morning hike surrounding by blooming flowers.
Art Tales: Daydreamers | Wednesday, June 14 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Carter, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth | Free | Kids can let their imaginations wander with gallery games, art making, and a performance by storyteller Toni Simmons.

Thursday, June 15

Shea Abshire and the Nighthowlers | Thursday, Jun. 15 | 8 p.m. | Rusty Nickel Icehouse, 2836 Stanley Ave., Fort Worth | $10-$30 | The artist from Stephenville will perform his unique mix of 90s alt, blues, roots rock, and Americana.
Geeks Who Drink Trivia | Thursday, June 15 | 8-10 p.m. | HopFusion Ale Works, 200 E. Broadway Ave., Fort Worth | Free | Grab a pint and kick back with your friends to master the art of the fun fact.

Friday, June 16

Archery Club | Friday, June 16 | 3-4 p.m. | Wedgwood Branch Library, 3816 Kimberly Ln., Fort Worth | Free | Children in grades 2-5 will explore the technological innovations of archery, create their own tools, and learn how to use a kid-safe bow and arrow kits.
Brit Floyd | Friday, June 16 | 8 p.m. | Will Rogers Auditorium, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth | $25-$85 | Celebrate 50 years of the “Dark Side of the Moon” with a tribute performance.

Saturday, June 17

Youth Pride Picnic 2023 | Saturday, June 17 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Trinity Park, 1501 University Dr., Fort Worth | Free | People ages 24 and under are invited to enjoy a youth picnic hosted by LGBTQ Saves.
Aaron Copeland’s Birthday Bash | Saturday, June 17 | 9 p.m. | Fat Daddy’s, 781 W. Debbie Ln., Mansfield | $13 | Join country music star Aaron Copeland and friends for his annual birthday bash.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Travel

✈️ How to protect your gut health while traveling

It’s very common for travel to wreak havoc on our digestive system, due to a number of factors from eating new foods to time changes (yes, “gut-lag” is a thing). | Photo by Pendulum

We’ve all been there: a sunny beach, a gorgeous new city, a cute little cabin — and then you feel the dreaded rumble. Your stomach doesn’t feel good, and you have to get to a bathroom, pronto.

Don’t let that happen to you. Before your next summer trip, brush up on five tips to keep your gut happy on the go:

1. Stay hydrated. Stick to (safe) tap or bottled water.
2. Pack probiotics. Pro tip: Sprint to checkout (instead of the bathroom) for 20% off Metabolic Daily with code 6AMCITY.

3 more gut-friendly travel tips

News Notes

Weather

This week’s severe storms are giving way to some scorching temps. The National Weather Service predicts highs of 102º on Friday and Saturday with a heat index of 108º. Brush up on extreme heat safety tips and resources. (National Weather Service)

Civic

Bonycle Sokunbi has been named the new director of the Office of Police Oversight Monitor. The office was established in February 2020, but the position has been vacant since December when Kim Neal stepped down. Bonycle will start in September.

Open

A new boozy snack bar called Hopscotch opened in Sundance Square last week in the former Jamba Juice location. It’s owned by Mockingbird Food, the proprietors of 3rd St. Market. Kick off your summer with a Frito pie and a peach daiquiri.

Outdoors

Over the weekend, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission voted to condemn Fairfield Lake State Park, making the land eligible for eminent domain. If the acquisition goes through, the state will have to pay developer Todd Interests “hundreds of millions of dollars.” (The Dallas Morning News)

Sports

Omaha, here we come — the TCU baseball team is headed to the NCAA College World Series for the first time in six years. The Horned Frogs will face Oral Roberts in the first game on Friday, June 16, at 1 p.m. Grab some gear + wear your purple with pride. (NCAA)

Education

Summer may just be starting, but it’s not too early to prep for the next school year — especially when it comes to ensuring an accessible learning environment. Check out these steps to access 504 accommodations for your student. (Fort Worth Report)

Pets

Looking for a fur-ever friend? Fort Worth Animal Care and Control is looking for people to adopt or foster kittens after an influx of felines has caused overcrowding. Peruse adoptable pets. (NBC DFW)

Environment

According to a recent State of the Air report from the American Lung Association, DFW is one of the worst US metros for ozone pollution. The metroplex ranked No. 18 in 2023, dropping two spots from No. 16 in 2022.

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Civic

🗳️ Meet new local leaders

2023 runoff election results

The runoffs filled the final three positions from the May 6 General Election. | Graphic by FTWtoday

Three newly elected city leaders will take office after Saturday’s runoff election.

In case you missed it, the May 6 General Election left vacancies on City Council, the Fort Worth ISD school board, and Tarrant County College board of trustees.

Here are the unofficial results:

Jeanette Martinez | City Council, District 11
Martinez will represent the new district that includes Rosemont, Hemphill Heights, and areas east of I-35W and I-30. The first Latina elected to serve as a city leader will be sworn in at City Hall on Tuesday, June 20, at 5:30 p.m.

Kevin Lynch | FWISD School Board, District 5
Lynch’s district runs through the west side of town and includes Arlington Heights High School, Tanglewood Elementary, and Como Elementary.

Laura Forkner Pritchett | TCC Board of Trustees, District 4
Pritchett will represent Azle, Fort Worth, and Haltom City during her six-year term.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kate

From the editor

By now, you might be thinking FTWtoday is just a fan account for baby animals at the Fort Worth Zoo — you’re not wrong. Every morning, Rebecca and I check which new additions are crawling, climbing, or flapping around the zoo. Today’s little friend: this little kori bustard chick.

Kori bustards are one of the world’s heaviest flying birds, but they are great runners.

Missed our previous newsletter?

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_11}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY