Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation

12-2017

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

M.P.A.

Department

Urban and Public Affairs

Degree Program

College of Arts and Sciences

Committee Chair

Kelly, Janet

Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)

Ruther, Matthew

Committee Member

Ruther, Matthew

Committee Member

Fosl, Catherine

Author's Keywords

LGBTQ; fairness; human resources; urban; Kentucky

Abstract

This thesis explores the political and demographic obstacles facing the Fairness movement in Kentucky in regards to local employment protection ordinances for LGBTQ+ persons (Fairness Ordinances). Using case studies on recent Fairness debates in Berea and Bowling Green, this thesis explores the concern some Kentuckians have about LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination ordinances in their communities. From these cases studies, it can be concluded that many of the concerns espoused by opponents of Fairness are simple scare tactics with no evidence supporting their claims. This thesis then utilizes a logistical regression to uncover what demographic characteristics increase the odds of a municipality possessing Fairness. The variables included in this analysis include population size, racial/ethnic diversity, wealth, educational attainment, religious composition, and the presence of an LGBTQ+ political organization in the city. From this analysis, only population size and average educational attainment were found to be significant predictors of whether a city would put in place a Fairness Ordinance.

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