Screen Readers Skip to Content

Senate Bill 202 Would Remove Arkansas Cities Right to Self-Govern and Stop Equality

Author: The Human Rights Campaign
Published: 3rd Feb 2015
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: LGBTQ News America Publications

Summary: HRC Arkansas condems introduction of Senate Bill 202 which would stop cities and towns enacting ordinances that would protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Arkansans from discrimination.


Main Document

If enacted, this deeply flawed bill would become a highly ineffective policy that would prevent hardworking LGBT Arkansans from being able to live their lives free from fear or discrimination.

"This is an attack on liberty and democracy, pure and simple," said HRC Arkansas State Director Kendra R. Johnson.

"Local leaders in Arkansas should be allowed to choose what's right for their own city or town. It's crystal clear that the motivation for this bill is to stifle local efforts to advance equality for LGBT Arkansans. Not only is it wrong, this explicit attempt at legislative overreach is discriminatory, dangerous, and fundamentally un-American."

This proposed legislation distorts the democratic process and stops local elected leaders from being able to craft their own solutions to problems they believe should be addressed.

Not only that, but there is clear evidence that proves sustainable growth is highly correlated to a city's stance on being inclusive of all people.

This proposed bill would hinder the ability of Arkansas cities and towns to attract new workforce talent and private sector investment.

This legislation also sets a dangerous precedent. If passed, state legislators would open the door to constant misuse of their authority and municipalities would fear overrule of all types of municipal ordinances for no good reason. This would put a chilling effect on the ability of municipalities to manage their own affairs.

According to a 2014 survey of LGBT people in Arkansas, almost 60 percent of respondents have called the state home for more than 20 years.

However, a quarter of those answering the survey have experienced employment discrimination, 37 percent have experienced harassment at work, and half have experienced harassment on the street.

LGBT Arkansans currently have no state or municipal level protections in housing, workplace, or public accommodations. It remains perfectly legal under Arkansas law to fire LGBT people from their jobs, refuse to rent to them, or to kick them out of a restaurant or hotel. Senate Bill 202 ensures this form of discrimination in Arkansas will remain the law of the land.

HRC Arkansas is working to advance equality for LGBT Arkansans through legal state recognition for their relationships and families; state rights to jointly adopt children; and state protections from hate crimes. Through HRC Arkansas, we are working toward a future of fairness every day - changing hearts, minds and laws toward achieving full equality.

Post to Twitter Add to Facebook

Latest LGBTQ News America Publications

The above information is from our reference library of resources relating to LGBTQ News America that includes:

LGBTQ Youth Reveal Negative Mental Health Impacts of Anti LGBTQ Policies and Victimization thumbnail image.
The Trevor Project annual US national survey of LGBTQ young people underscores negative mental health impacts of anti-LGBTQ policies and victimization.
Publish Date: 2nd May 2023 - Updated: 5th Oct 2024
The United States Department of Social Security Logo. thumbnail image
U.S. Social Security Equity Action Plan includes a commitment to ensure people who identify as gender diverse or transgender have options in the Social Security Number (SSN) card application process.
Publish Date: 20th Oct 2022 - Updated: 24th Oct 2022
New Study on LGBTQI+ Refugees and Asylum Seekers  thumbnail image.
New study on LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers highlights the need for data and research.
Publish Date: 8th Jul 2022 - Updated: 16th Jul 2022
LGBT People of Color More Likely than White Non-LGBT Adults to Face Food Insufficiency During the Pandemic thumbnail image.
Food insufficiency was reported by three times as many LGBT people of color as non-LGBT White people.
Publish Date: 15th Apr 2022


1Transgender Reporting Guide
How to write about transgender people.

2Am I Gay? Questions to Ask
Think you may be gay or bisexual?

3Glossary of Sexuality Terms
Definitions of sexual terms & acronyms.

4LGBTQ+ Pride Flags
Symbols of Identity and Inclusion.

5LGBT Awareness Dates
Important LGBTQ community awareness days, remembrance dates, and coming pride events.

• Submissions: Send us your coming events and LGBTQ related news stories.


• Report Errors: Please report outdated or inaccurate information to us.



• (APA): The Human Rights Campaign. (2015, February 3). Senate Bill 202 Would Remove Arkansas Cities Right to Self-Govern and Stop Equality. SexualDiversity.org. Retrieved November 14, 2024 from www.sexualdiversity.org/news/us/384.php


• Permalink: <a href="https://www.sexualdiversity.org/news/us/384.php">Senate Bill 202 Would Remove Arkansas Cities Right to Self-Govern and Stop Equality</a>