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Lexington Becomes Second Ky. City To Request California Travel Ban Waiver (Updated)

Xavier Becerra, Attorney General of California, gestures at the Pride parade in San Francisco, Sunday, June 25, 2017.
AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
Xavier Becerra, Attorney General of California, gestures at the Pride parade in San Francisco, Sunday, June 25, 2017.

Following the lead of Louisville, Lexington is seeking an exemption from California’s recently announced travel ban to states it considers hostile to LGBT rights.

Tuesday, Mayor Jim Gray joined Commerce Lexington President Bob Quick and VisitLex President Mary Quinn Ramer in signing a letter to California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. It describes Lexington as a “welcoming” place and references the county’s fairness ordinance passed 18 years ago.

The letter closes by requesting that Becerra “consider exempting our city from your recent travel ban.”

Kentucky was cited by California over Senate Bill 17, a recently passed religious expression measure critics worry will allow student groups to discriminate against LGBT students.

Lexington Fairness released a statement applauding Gray's actions, saying, "we are reminded that even discriminatory bills such as Senate Bill 17 can come at a price."

Read the full joint letter signed by Mayor Jim Gray here.

Update (6/30/17): California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has declined Lexington. In a letter to Mayor Gray, the AG wrote: "California’s law restricts travel to states and does not provide exemptions for any political subdivisions within a state that may not hold the same anti-LGBT views of its state legislature."

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/article158967444.html#storylink=cpy

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Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now known as Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and Program Director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.