Berea's City Council failed to pass an LGBT Fairness Ordinance.  The anti-discrimination measure, which would have protected LGBT Bereans from discrimination in the workplace, in housing, and in restaurants or other forms of public accommodations, was defeated with a 5-3 vote.

Founded in May 2011, Bereans for Fairness, in coordination with Kentucky's Fairness Coalition, began advocating for local LGBT protections through city council actions, large public rallies and marches, community picnics and celebrations, and countless hand-written messages to local elected leaders. In September 2011, after a march of more than 400 Bereans for Fairness descended on the City Council, Mayor Steve Connelly and council members approved an ordinance re-forming the city's dormant Human Rights Commission and charged it with the task of investigating the local need for an LGBT Fairness law. Almost two years later, the Berea Human Rights Commission made an official recommendation to the Mayor and City Council in favor of LGBT Fairness protections, prompting city leaders to draft the local ordinance.

In the absence of a statewide Fairness law seven Kentucky cities have enacted local Fairness Ordinances to ensure everyone in those jurisdictions has equal protection.  They are Covington, Danville, Frankfort, Lexington, Louisville, Morehead, and the Appalachian town of Vicco.

Join our action alert email list to stay up to date on the continued effort to pass Fairness in Berea, and statewide!