Dayton, Kentucky Becomes a “Cool City”

The Dayton City Council recently adjourned in applause after the city passed an ordinance to protect LGBTQ individuals. This ordinance includes a regulation that protects against discrimination based on a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation in issues of employment and housing. Unfortunately, the ordinance acknowledges some exceptions when a person is not required to equally treat LGBTQ individuals. The exact reason why these exceptions were created remains uncertain, but many people agree that they were created merely so the ordinance could pass.

The Exemptions in Dayton’s Regulation

A city of 5,000 people, Dayton is located along the Ohio River and is the 12th Kentucky city to pass an ordinance for LGBTQ civil rights. While the prohibitions in the regulation are fairly easy to understand, the exceptions are much more complex. Some of the exceptions that exist in this regulation include:

• Homes that are sold privately without a realtor or public advertising
• Housing that is provided by a religious organization
• Housing protection does not exist if the owner or family members are either living in the house or rental accommodations
• Individuals who are employed by a child, parent, or spouse
• Individuals who work as medical workers or personal companions in an employer’s home 

How Violations Under the Regulation Work

Dayton’s new ordinance provides individuals with a process to use in case they are subjected to discrimination. People are able to file a complaint with the city administrator who will investigate the claim. If discrimination is found to exist, the city administrator writes a conciliation agreement between the parties. If conciliation does not work, the party that discriminates could end up facing a fine and the case will result in a hearing under the Kentucky Civil Rights Act. 

Response to the City Ordinance

Dayton gained direct inspiration for its ordinance from Covington as well as other cities in Kentucky that previously passed similar measures. Several lawmakers have acknowledged that the exemptions to the ordinance only exist to make the measure more acceptable to entities that do not want to extend these protections as a result of personal beliefs. Others have responded to the exceptions with a much more critical perspective. As a result of the measure, Dayton is deemed to have joined the “Cool Cities Club.”

How Other Cities Have Responded

10 other cities in Northern Kentucky have passed similar legislation: Danville, Frankfort, Henderson, Lexington, Louisville, Maysville, Midway, Morehead, Paducah, and Vicco. It remains uncertain what effect this new legislation will have on other cities in Kentucky as well as in other parts of the country.

Tracking Developments in LGBTQ Rights

Our blog focuses on the most significant advancements in LGBTQ rights. It still remains uncertain about how many laws and regulations will be revised in respect of LGBTQ individuals. As the changes occur, the Universal Life Church will continue to track these developments right here.