Reception for the Berea Human Rights Commission

Yesterday, members of the Berea community, the Madison County KFTC and the City Council gathered to celebrate the creation of a Human Rights Commission in Berea. The Human Rights Commission was established to investigate claims of illegal discrimination, and the Berea Fairness Coalition is hoping that the HRC will be a bridge to broader anti-discrimination laws that will protect Berea’s citizens from discrimination in employment and housing based on their sexual orientation. In order to open up a dialogue between community members and the human rights commissioners on the issue of fairness, Berea’s Fairness Coalition invited the commissioners to a reception where they would be able to meet and mingle with the public. 

Berea Mayor Steve Connelly addresses the community members gathered at BC&T

The reception, which was held at Berea Coffee and Tea, attracted over 80 people from the community, who packed into the small coffee shop for a chance to meet the new commissioners. Chris Hartman, a representative of the Kentucky-wide Fairness Coalition, complimented the work of the Berea City Council, expressing his hope that Berea would be the first city in this part of Kentucky to pass a fairness ordinance.

Student activist Ethan Hamblin also commented on what he saw as a successful event: "The reception was a stunning success. We appreciate all of the community and youth that attended the event.â€ Even with the inauguration of the Human Rights Commission, Bereans For Fairness and the Madison County chapter will continue to fight for the right of all people to live without fear of discrimination.