FRANKFORT — A Louisville state senator says he will file a bill that would make it illegal for employers in Kentucky to discriminate against employees on the basis of sexual orientation.

In a speech on the issue, Sen. Morgan McGarvey began by discussing the plight of University of Missouri tight end and NFL draft prospect Michael Sam, who recently came out as gay.

“We need to rally around our teammates, and stand up for the thousands of people in this commonwealth who also fear discrimination simply because of their orientation,” says McGarvey, a Democrat. “In a day and age when over our most macho and American sport recognizes this reality, Kentucky needs to catch up with the times.”

McGarvey says he has been working closely with the statewide Fairness Campaign, which also supports a similar bill filed in the House. Six Kentucky cities have fairness laws on the books. Half of them passed in the last 13 months.