LEXINGTON, Ky. — Amid President Donald Trump's administration's pushback on DEI initiatives nationwide, the Lexington City Council voted to maintain its office of diversity and officer of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). 

Over the last month, Lexington's long-standing pursuit of diversity and inclusivity has led to questions from the community and among leaders. At a March 6 council meeting, leaders highlighted the city's commitment to diversity after an ordinance was introduced to eliminate the role.

Emma Curtis, District 4 councilmember, is the city's first transgender city councilor and said she advocates for inclusivity and transparency. 

“It's a place where we had civil rights pioneers," Curtis said. "It's folks like Sweet Evening Breeze who were out here making a change long before I was born. The idea that we might somehow start to abandon those values out of fear, I think understandably, caused a lot of concern in the community." 

It's why a proposed ordinance to cut the city’s officer of diversity and inclusion sparked concern from community members who feared the city could leave that history behind. 

In the days leading up to the vote, organization Kentuckians for the Commonwealth’s central Kentucky chapter encouraged people to reach out to their councilmembers with their thoughts. The group rallied in support of the position. 

“We cannot win as a community and whole unless everyone is included," said Joan Brannon, executive director of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. "The notion of diversity, equity and inclusion is built into our mission. Our day is going to be guided by Black, indigenous, people of color and impacted people." 

The Urban County Council voted to preserve the office while moving forward while placing the diversity officer role under human resources. Two members did not vote.

“Wanted to be clear that Lexington values the variety of diverse experiences in our community, and we want to see those reflected in our government," Curtis said. "But we also recognized a bureaucratic need for one individual to move to a new department, so this ordinance does both of those things." 

“Two things can be true at the same time ... I think that by councilmember (James) Brown making that amendment, it showed that the council, the council folks, were listening to the community," Brannon said. 

Curtis said this move allows the local government to commit to a safe and inviting community for all backgrounds while maintaining their civic responsibilities. She added while the vote has been made, there will continue to be conversations about the role moving forward.