Prioritize Fiscal Responsibility – Postpone Unnecessary Ordinance Amendment

TULSA (06/18/2025) – Dear Councilors… On behalf of our members and supporters, we urge you to table the proposed amendment to the housing ordinance that seeks to explicitly include sexual orientation. While we strongly support fair and equal treatment under the law, we believe that introducing this policy shift at this time is both premature and potentially detrimental to the broader interests of Tulsa residents.

Today’s session includes critical deliberation on the Mayor’s Budget—a matter of pressing fiscal importance that demands the Council's full attention and focus. Prioritizing this budget ensures that essential city services, public safety, and economic recovery efforts receive the stewardship they deserve.

Let us be clear: protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity are already firmly established under federal law. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 decision clarified that Title VII covers such protections, and the Fair Housing Act remains a strong safeguard for all Americans. At this moment, there is no legal gap in need of urgent local action.

Additionally, Tulsa's continued reliance on vital federal funding must not be placed at risk by introducing ordinance changes that could trigger unwarranted federal scrutiny or legal ambiguity. We believe this risk is real and avoidable.

Should the ordinance be revisited in the future, we strongly recommend separating discussions about veterans from those concerning sexual orientation and gender identity. Our veterans deserve dedicated attention, not to be folded into unrelated policy debates.

Tulsa is facing urgent challenges that demand practical leadership and prudent decision-making. We call on you to defer this matter until it can be addressed with the depth, data, and community input it requires—without detracting from today’s critical fiscal deliberations.

Thank you for your service and your commitment to all Tulsans.

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