LTC 188-2021 Motion by the Human Rights CommitteeDocuSign Envelope ID: 474E46BA-E1AA-4D42-BF9A-0EC7CA7BE95A
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LTC # 188-2021 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina Hudak, City Manager
DATE: May 5, 2021
SUBJECT: Motion by the Human Rights Committee
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to inform the Mayor and the Commission of a
motion made by the Human Rights Committee at their meeting on April 12, 2021.
MOTION: Hair discrimination affects Black Americans and other minorities with textured natural hair
that has not been straightened or chemically changed. Hair discrimination is rooted in the idea that
straight hair is clean, neat, and professional, while the belief is the opposite for textured or curly hair
types. A growing number of state and local legislatures are enacting laws prohibiting discrimination
on the basis of natural hair style and texture, including those hairstyles necessitated by, or resulting
from, the immutable characteristics of a hair texture associated with race, such as braids, locks,
afros, curls, and twists.
The City’s Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) already prohibits discrimination based on a plethora of
characteristics, including weight and height. The Committee recommends that the City amend its
HRO to include prohibition of discrimination based on natural hairstyles and textures.
Members in attendance on April 12, 2021:
• Alan B. Fishman, Esq. – Chair
• Clare McCord – Vice Chair
• Dale Stine
• Jonathan Welsh
• Donald Goldberg
• Heidi Tandy, Esq.
• Bradley Ugent
• Alberto Ravelo
The Human Rights Committee unanimously voted in support of this motion.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 474E46BA-E1AA-4D42-BF9A-0EC7CA7BE95A