Thanks to Josh James, Kentucky Public Radio Months of debate at Berea City Council meetings and forums haven’t moved the issue of a fairness ordinance any closer to being resolved. Since May, the eastern Kentucky city has been considering extending its anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Right now, the Berea council is weighing the creation of a human rights commission, but the proposal lacks the anti-discrimination protections in question and hasn’t been voted on since July. Jason Howard with Bereans for Fairness says his group plans to rally ahead of tomorrow’s council meeting and send a message to the lawmakers. “We’re still here. We’re not going away. We’re committed to seeing action,” he said. Opponents of a fairness ordinance say the extra protections aren't necessary. Berea would be the fourth city in Kentucky to pass a fairness ordinance, after Louisville, Lexington, and Covington.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.