Tiny Kentucky Town Passes Fully Inclusive Non-Discrimination Measure
January 29, 2013 by Carolyn Simon
http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/tiny-kentucky-town-passes-fully-inclusive-non-discrimination-measureThe tiny town of Vicco, Ky., population 335, isn't generally much of a newsmaker. But it's making headlines now as the smallest town in Kentucky – and, perhaps, the country – to pass a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Vicco is part of Perry County, where 80 percent of voters supported Mitt Romney in November. The City Commission voted 3-1 to pass the ordinance, which prevents discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. Openly gay Mayor Johnny Cummings listened to debate on the issue, but would only have voted if there had been a tie.
"We want everyone to be treated fair and just," said Commissioner Claude Branson, 56, a retired coal miner.
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Sewers, Curfews and a Ban on Gay Bias
By DAN BARRY
Published: January 28, 2013
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/29/us/vicco-kentucky-passes-ban-on-gay-bias.html?pagewanted=all&_r=3&VICCO, Ky. — In a former pool hall that is now the municipal building for a coal smudge of a place in eastern Kentucky called Vicco, population 335, the January meeting of the City Commission came to order. Commissioners and guests settled into patio chairs, bought at a discount and arranged around a long conference table. Those who smoked did.
The Commission approved the minutes from its December meeting, hired a local construction company to repair the run-down sewer plant and tinkered with the wording for the local curfew. Oh, and it voted to ban discrimination against anyone based on sexual orientation or gender identity — making Vicco the smallest municipality in Kentucky, and possibly the country, to enact such an ordinance.
After that, the Commission approved a couple of invoices. Then, according to a clerk's notes, "Jimmy made a motion to adjourn and Claude seconded the motion. All voted yes."
