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Kentucky tax preparer refusing business to LGBTQ couples

A Kentucky tax preparer said he has had the same sign displayed prominently on its window for 10 years. At the bottom, it says “homosexual marriage not recognized."

RADCLIFF, Ky. — A tax preparer in Radcliff, Kentucky said he’s refusing business to married couples who identify as LGBTQ. He claims he is the victim of discrimination. LGBTQ advocates, meanwhile, call his actions discriminatory. 

For ten years, Kenneth Randall, the owner of Aries Tax Service in Radcliff, said he has had the same sign displayed prominently on its window. At the bottom, it says “homosexual marriage not recognized.” 

The federal government has recognized marriages between same-sex couples since 2015.

“I have to stand up for my convictions and if there’s a price to be paid I have to pay it," said Randall.

It’s only in the last couple of weeks Randall said he’s paid a price. Earlier this month, a couple who identifies as LGBTQ saw the sign. They reported it to Chris Hartman, executive director of the Fairness Campaign, an advocacy group in Louisville. 

“This type of behavior in 2021 is appalling," Hartman said. 

News of the sign spread. That’s when Randall said the threats started coming. 

“You better watch your back when you leave your business today," was one voice message. 

Another voice message said, “I’m praying for you. I support you.” 

As an insurance agent with Progressive on the side, Randall said the company forced him to make a choice: Either take the sign down, or cut ties with the company. 

“I chose to quit writing business for Progressive," said Randall. 

A spokesperson for Progressive told FOCUS, "Progressive and Mr. Randall decided to end our relationship because his business practices don’t align with our company’s Core Values or Code of Conduct."

But Randall’s sign outside his window is legal. Without state or federal legislation banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, 21 cities and counties in Kentucky have passed their own laws, or Fairness Ordinances outlawing LGBTQ discrimination. Radcliff, where Randall works, hasn’t done that. 

“I do have the right to do what I’m doing,” said Randall. 

“We want to see a place where everybody can go into a business that’s open to the public and receive the exact same goods and services that everyone else is entitled to," said the Fairness Campaign's Hartman. 

But according to Hartman, that’s not a reality for about 70% of Kentucky’s population, or people who live in places like Radcliff. He calls the outrage over this sign only natural. 

“If somebody puts up a sign in their window that says no Blacks allowed, I hope people are angry with them. And that would be against the law right now," he said. 

In the meantime, Randall said the hate for his convictions keep coming. 

“I was getting like 9, 10 calls a day," he said. 

FOCUS reporter Paula Vasan asked Radcliff Mayor JJ Duvall whether he is considering a local ordinance that would outlaw LGBTQ discrimination. Mayor Duvall said he plans to meet with Hartman on Wednesday to learn more.

Nationwide, research shows more than 1 in 3 LGBTQ Americans faced discrimination of some kind in the past year, the Center for American Progress says.

RELATED: Reports: State Department allows US embassies to fly pride flag

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a federal agency aimed at preventing employment discrimination, LGBTQ-based sex discrimination complaints have more than doubled since 2013. They received 808 such complaints in fiscal year 2013 and 1,857 such complaints in fiscal year 2020. A spokesperson with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission notes that LGBTQ-based sex discrimination complaints are about one percent of all workplace discrimination complaints they receive each year. 

According to The Movement Advancement Project, the ideal fairness ordinance or state law – also referred to as nondiscrimination laws -- is one that explicitly includes both sexual orientation and gender identity in all three areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations. A total of 27 states do not have statewide housing, employment, and/or public accommodation laws. In addition, Wisconsin has nondiscrimination protections for sexual orientation only (not gender identity) in all three areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations, whereas Utah protects both sexual orientation and gender identity in employment and housing but not public accommodations. 

LOCAL DATA

Kentucky cities and counties with LGBTQ anti-discrimination laws:

  1. Louisville

  2. Lexington

  3. Covington

  4. Vicco

  5. Frankfort 

  6. Morehead 

  7. Danville

  8. Midway 

  9. Paducah

  10. Maysville 

  11. Henderson

  12. Dayton

  13. Georgetown 

  14. Versailles 

  15. Bellevue

  16. Highland Heights

  17. Fort Thomas 

  18. Woodford County 

  19. Cold Spring

  20. Newport

  21. Crescent Springs 

Source: Fairness Campaign

NATIONAL DATA

States without housing, employment, and/or public accommodation laws:

  1. Alabama

  2. Alaska 

  3. Arizona

  4. Arkansas

  5. Florida

  6. Georgia

  7. Idaho

  8. Indiana

  9. Kansas

  10. Kentucky

  11. Louisiana

  12. Michigan

  13. Mississippi

  14. Missouri

  15. Montana

  16. Nebraska

  17. North Carolina

  18. North Dakota

  19. Ohio

  20. Oklahoma

  21. Pennsylvania

  22. South Carolina

  23. South Dakota

  24. Tennessee 

  25. Texas

  26. West Virginia 

  27. Wyoming 

Source: Movement Advancement Project

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