DANVILLE, Ky. (AP) _ The Danville City Commission has approved a gay rights ordinance, though it includes an exemption for religious organizations.
Media report officials voted 4-1 on June 9 in favor of the ordinance that makes it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It was the seventh city in the state to approve such a measure, following Lexington, Louisville, Covington, Frankfort, Morehead and Vicco.
Despite some objections, officials adopted the amended version that includes an exemption for “faith-based” institutions after Sunrise Children’s Services said it would move its child care center out of Danville without one.
The Baptist-affiliated agency receives a significant portion of its funding from the government, but it refuses gay job applicants.
The ordinance will become law after it is published by the local newspaper.
Mayor Bernie Hunstad, who has opposed the ordinance since it was first proposed, cast the only “no” vote.
“I don’t support discrimination, but I can’t support bad law, and that’s how I view this,” Hunstad said.
Commissioner Paige Stevens said she was disappointed that the ordinance wasn’t stronger, but voted in favor of it.
“I’d rather have weak tea than no tea at all,” she said.
