MIDWAY, Ky. — Midway has become the eighth Kentucky city to adopt an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Midway has joined Lexington, Louisville, Covington, Danville, Frankfort, Morehead and Vicco as cities with similar ordinances, multiple media outlets reported.

City council members voted Monday for the ordinance, which will become law next week.

Proponents say the ordinance signals that Midway is a welcoming community, while opponents say it is unnecessary.

“Midway is absolutely without a problem,” said 10-year resident Curt Savage. “Everyone gets along here.”

But Scot Skidmore, another 10-year resident, praised the city’s vote.

“I’m just so proud of our city council today,” Skidmore, who is gay, said. “People say that it’s not necessary and that it’s unneeded because we live in such a great community. But it’s not OK to discriminate just because there is no evidence of it (discrimination) right now.”

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Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said he proposed the ordinance after he learned that a person could be fired from a job, evicted from a residence or denied public service because he or she is gay or transgender.

Anyone found to have violated the ordinance may face civil penalties of $100 to $500.

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