Tempe extends anti-discrimination ordinance to cover hair texture, styles
Nov 11, 2021, 4:45 AM
Tempe Council Chambers (City of Tempe Government/Facebook Photo)
(City of Tempe Government/Facebook Photo)
PHOENIX — The Tempe City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to adopt an ordinance that extends the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance to cover discrimination based on hair texture and styles.
The ordinance makes it illegal to discriminate against hair texture and styles when it comes to employment, housing and public accommodations in the city.
“It is important that we demonstrate our intolerance of racism and our protection of the natural hair by passing ‘The Crown Act,'” Councilwoman Jennifer Adams said at the council meeting.
The “Crown Act” stands for creating a respectful and open world for natural hair.
It was started by the Crown Coalition and Dove soap in partnership with former California State Senator Holly J. Mitchell to protect against discrimination from race-based hairstyles.
Mayor Corey Woods in the meeting said Tempe is an inclusive city and they will take further steps to protect members of the community.
“The anti-discrimination ordinance was not meant to be something that was just simply passed a few years ago and sort of just sat statically,” he said.
“It really is a living, breathing document as we come to learn more.”
The city of Tucson adopted a similar measure earlier this year.
