Gay rights debated
Effort to extend Louisville city ordinance into Jefferson County
From Kentucky Citizen Digest, May, 1999

After a seven-year effort that ultimately “wore down” the Louisville Board of Aldermen, gay rights activists succeeded in getting an ordinance passed in late January that bans job discrimination based on sexual orientation.  Now they are attempting to extend their victory over all who live in Jefferson County as well.

The final decision, anticipated in August, will be made by the Fiscal Court comprised of Rebecca Jackson, the County Judge Executive, and the three Commissioners, Darryl Owens, Russ Maple and Joe Corradino.  Owens and Maple are cosponsoring the measure while Jackson has said she opposes it.

The focus, then, is on “the swing vote”, Commissioner Joe Corradino who is undecided.  In an effort to stimulate debate and communication, he has scheduled six citizen public hearings.

Though the decision is the county’s to decide, phone calls from around the state may help clarify the magnitude of the final decision.  Gay activists have already said they want to springboard the Louisville decision into a statewide effort and broaden it to include housing and gay sensitivity education through the public school system.
 

Key Family Foundation Contacts: Kent Ostrander, Executive Director Martin Cothran, Senior Associate Policy Analyst