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This is a reprint of an article that first appeared in the Winchester Sun
BEREA — Union Church, Berea College’s historic, nondenominational church that was founded by 19th century abolitionist John G. Fee, was the setting Thursday night for the launch of a contemporary civil rights campaign.
Faith leaders, students, business owners, teachers, artists and Berea residents joined on the steps of Union Church Thursday morning to announce the launch of Bereans for Fairness, a local campaign to win passage of a city gay and transgender anti-discrimination fairness law.
Similar to legislation that has passed in Covington, Lexington and Louisville in Kentucky, a Berean fairness law would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on someone’s perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
If the Berea City Council passes such a law, Berea would become only the fourth city in Kentucky with fairness protections.
The Berea City Council held a community forum on May 10 to discuss passage of a local fairness law, and has scheduled the second and final public forum for Tuesday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Berea Community School New Gymnasium, 2 Pirate Parkway.
The campaign is supported by the Kentucky Statewide Fairness Coalition, which includes the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, the Fairness Campaign, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, Kentucky Fairness Alliance and Lexington Fairness.
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