The Paducah Board of Commissioners introduced an ordinance this week narrowing the focus of the city's Human Rights Commission to issues involving gender identity and sexual orientation.
Complaints involving race, color, religion, sex, age, familial status, handicap or national origin would be directed to the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights.
Human Rights Commissioner Robert Shy is concerned the changes will make the local board less diverse and attentive. Mayor Brandi Harless says it might bring better results.
“We did a lot of work talking to the state to make sure that their processes and procedures were adequate. And it gave us a lot of confidence to know that these issues could be handled maybe even more seriously on the state level.”
Harless says the commission would still help people fill out state paperwork and offer guidance. The Human Rights Commission would investigate all LGBTQ complaints, which are not covered by the state commission. The ordinance also eliminates the executive director and reduces members from nine to five. City leaders are expected to vote on the ordinance on December 19.
“We did a lot of work talking to the state to make sure that their processes and procedures were adequate. And it gave us a lot of confidence to know that these issues could be handled maybe even more seriously on the state level.”