Speaking out

"We are gay, and we work for the citizens and City of Dallas" says new videostarring 13 staffers

Following in the footsteps of the Austin Police Department, the City of Dallas released an It Gets Better video on Friday. The 13-minute film stars 13 city employees who are homosexual.

"We are gay, and we work for the citizens and the City of Dallas," the video says.

The privately-funded film chronicles the trials and triumphs of their lives, including coming out, being bullied and finding peace and partnership in their lives today. Frank Librio, managing director for the city's communications department, said that while Dallas has never produced a video on a social issue like this before, he and other participants have already received a steady stream of supportive feedback.

"I am so proud of the mayor and city manager for supporting this effort and for my coworkers who agreed to share their stories," Librio says. "I think that each city employee that participated in the video takes viewers on a journey through some difficult times in their life but also ultimately shows viewers how their life got better."

Mayor Mike Rawlings closes the film by saying "We're proud of what we do in the City of Dallas because we embrace diversity." The full video is worth your time, but here are a few especially poignant quotes:

I knew from a very young age that there was a part of me that I couldn't talk about. — Joey Zapata, assistant city manager

I kind of thought that if you grow up gay, you're going to be alone for the rest if your life, taking your mom to the opera. — Theresa O'Donnell, director of sustainable development

I would have never imagined or dreamed that my life could be what it is today. — Frank Librio, managing director of communications

Just take a deep breath and give it another day, because to do anything else will deny you the opportunity to have happiness that is as deep as your pain is now. — Melissa Miles, assistant city attorney

E-Cigarette News

Dallas City Council places restrictions on vaping in public

Man vaping, e-cigarette

Unsplash

Man vaping

Vaping will now be banned exactly like smoking, thanks to a new ordinance from the Dallas City Council.

At their December 11 meeting, the council passed an ordinance to ban vaping in all the same areas where smoking is not allowed. It'll go into effect on December 11, 2025 — giving everyone a year to get into compliance.

Proposed by City of Dallas Environmental Commission (EVC) and the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS), the ordinance amends the definition of “smoking” in the Dallas City Code to include the use of vaping devices.

The ordinance does not ban vaping — it only bans where you can vape: no vaping in all indoor and enclosed spaces; within 15 feet of building entrances; and on park property. The ordinance also bans marijuana smoking in those same places.

In addition, the amendment requires restaurants, hotels, fitness centers and other businesses to update their signage to clearly state that both smoking and electronic smoking devices are prohibited.

The ordinance already earned widespread support from health organizations such as the Dallas County Health and Human Services, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association. These organizations, along with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Surgeon General, have all raised concerns about the health risks of direct and second-hand exposure to vaping aerosols, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and older adults.

Dallas is not the first city to impose such a ban: San Antonio enacted a similar ban in October. Theirs goes into effect on January 1, 2025.

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