Frankfort on Thursday approved an LGBT-inclusive
anti-discrimination ordinance, making it the fifth Kentucky city to
adopt such a measure.
After hearing nearly an hour of emotional public testimony, the
Frankfort Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the
protections.
The “fairness” law prohibits discrimination based on sexual
orientation or gender identity in the areas of employment, housing
and public accommodations.
According to The
State Journal, the ordinance was approved during a special
meeting.
Frankfort joins Louisville, Lexington, Covington and Vicco with an
ordinance protecting the LGBT community. Passage in Vicco drew
nationwide attention, including a visit from cabler Comedy Central's
The Colbert Report, due to its small size (population 334).
(Related: Colbert
Report visits with openly gay mayor Johnny Cummings.)
Supporters mounted a media campaign called Frankfort
Fairness to lobby lawmakers to pass the law.
Opponents argued that the ordinance would discriminate against
Christians who disagree with homosexuality.
“I don't particularly want to end up in court because I choose
not to do something that a gay wants me to do,” Eunice Montfort, a
human resources manager, told ABC
affiliate WTVQ earlier this month. “Go find somebody who
doesn't care. There are a zillion of them out there.”