Mayor Mattie Parker, City of Fort Worth | City of Fort Worth website
Mayor Mattie Parker, City of Fort Worth | City of Fort Worth website
The Botanical Research Institute of Texas recently canceled an event reservation made by the group True Texas Project, scheduled to be held at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden on July 12-13, 2024. The City of Fort Worth owns the FWBG property, while BRIT manages the FWBG on behalf of the City. As a result, the FWBG is considered a City facility subject to both state and federal constitutional provisions, with facility rentals constituting a public forum under the First Amendment.
Following discussions between the City of Fort Worth and BRIT, the City's legal department directed that the True Texas Project event be reinstated. "The City cannot restrict access based solely on a potential renter's viewpoint," stated a representative from the City's legal department.
The City and BRIT emphasized that they do not endorse or condone the beliefs, opinions, or viewpoints of groups or individuals who may rent its facilities. They clarified that private renters must abide by all laws, rules, and policies and are not affiliated with the City, BRIT, or FWBG.
City staff are currently reviewing all facility rental policies thoroughly and will update the community on any relevant changes to those policies.
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