Officials in Owensboro have decided to put off considering a gay rights ordinance for at least a year.
Mayor Ron Payne told the Messenger-Inquirer that things need to "cool down" before the City Commission discusses the issue. He said officials have been "bombarded" since expressing support for a so-called fairness ordinance that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Payne said people would be given the opportunity to comment on the issue in that time period and officials would research how such ordinances have worked elsewhere.
At least seven other Kentucky cites have passed a similar ordinance: Danville, Lexington, Louisville, Covington, Frankfort, Morehead and Vicco.