11/04/2025
CCDP Chair submits comment to City of Brownsville on proposed dissolution of LGBTQ+ Task Force:
November 4, 2025
Brownsville City Commission
PO Box 911
Brownsville TX 78520
Dear Mayor and Commissioners,
I have become aware of an item on today’s agenda (Consent Item #12), which would dissolve the City’s LGBTQ+ Task Force. While I understand that it may be the City’s intention to replace this body with a Human Rights Commission, or other similar body, I have several serious concerns about this proposed action.
One, there is no item on the agenda to create any body to replace the LGBTQ+ Task Force. This creates the possibility that this body will not be replaced, and sends the wrong message to the LGBT community at a time when we are increasingly under threat.
Two, the issues faced by the LGBT community are not the same as those faced by other communities. Every person deserves to be seen, heard and have proper consideration given to their perspective.
Finally, the resolution included in the agenda packet states that the objectives of the LGBTQ+ Task Force have been substantially achieved. I strongly disagree.
All around the nation, LGBT people continue to face discrimination and violence. Just days ago, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that judges are no longer required to marry same s*x couples. Last month, the US Department of Defense summarily dismissed hundreds of active-duty soldiers – many of whom previously served in combat – for being transgender. Numerous bills have been filed in the legislatures of Texas and other states to deny LGBT people equal rights. Efforts are even underway to bring litigation to the US Supreme Court that would overturn decisions such as Lawrence v. Texas and Obergefell v. Hodges. Will the City of Brownsville be a part of these efforts to roll back the progress made by our society in treating the LGBT community with fairness and dignity?
I strongly urge you to vote no on Consent Item #12. If it is your intention to move forward, then ask that you table this item until such a time as the creation of an appropriate body to succeed the LGBTQ+ Task Force can be considered jointly with the proposed dissolution of this committee.
Sincerely,
JARED HOCKEMA
County Chair