COVINGTON, Ky. - About an hour before a national business consultant identified Covington’s “welcoming” character as one of its economic strengths, a Covington resident was honored by the Commonwealth of Kentucky for her work to create that atmosphere and spread it throughout the region.

 

Tuesday’s meeting of the Covington City Commission opened with a special presentation: With the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights giving one of its Unbridled Spirit Awards to Bonnie Meyer. Meyer, who directs the Office of LGBTQ Programs and Services at Northern Kentucky University, also leads Northern Kentucky Fairness, the organization that sponsors the annual NKY Pride parade and festival in Covington.

 

John C.K. Fisher, the field supervisor for the state Commission’s Northern Kentucky office, praised Meyer for her work, including efforts to persuade other cities to adopt an ordinance like Covington’s that fully protects members of the LGBTQ community from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

 

The award salutes “compassion, determination, and strength,” he said.

 

“Ms. Meyer has the compassion to listen and nurture young people who are conflicted about their sexuality,” Fisher said. “And she has the strength to push for Fairness Ordinances to protect everyone from discrimination.”

 

Meyer called her work “a challenge” but said it was easier “in Covington where leadership and staff are so supportive.”

 

Later at the meeting, consultant Jay Garner of Atlanta-based Garner Economics, which was hired by the City to write an economic development strategy, saluted Covington’s history as “a pathfinder and leader of human rights policies.” Garner said its reputation for being “welcoming” was a positive factor that helped Covington attract creative talent from out of town.

 

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