Sign-up! Rally for Equality/Fairness in Frankfort on February 22, 2006.

With an important session of the General Assembly just ahead and several critical issues on the agenda, Kentucky Equality Federation has partnered with the Kentucky Fairness Alliance to gather all our supporters in Frankfort on the same day.

Kentuckians Value Equality and Kentuckians Value Fairness is an opportunity for us to raise the voice and visibility of fair-minded Kentuckians with our legislators and our neighbors. On the morning of the 22nd, citizen lobbyists from around the commonwealth will meet with their legislators.

While e-mails, phone calls, and letters are good, talking face to face with your elected officials is the most effective way to persuade them to support fairness. The Kentucky Fairness Alliance and/or the Kentucky Equality Federation will supply you with all the training and tools you'll need to have a successful visit with your lawmaker.

• Click here to sign-up now!
• Click here if you would like to attend the Rally ONLY!

Have you signed up for training on how to lobby your elected officials? Sign-up for free training at one of these locations:

• January 10th - Lexington
• January 18th - Richmond
• January 21st - Elizabethtown
• January 22nd - Louisville
• January 23rd - Morehead
• January 25th - Northern Kentucky

On the morning of February 22nd, citizen lobbyists from around the commonwealth will meet with their legislators.

Click here to sign-up now!

Click here if you would like to attend the Rally ONLY!

We are very excited and want to have the largest number of people attend as possibile; we have strength in number that cannot be ignored!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Federation Vice President Brian Endicott or Federation Alliance Manager Clarence Wallace toll-free at 877-4KEF-HELP.

We look forward to seeing YOU there!

Regards,

Jordan Palmer, Brian Endicott, Clarence Wallace, Nick Herweck, Paige D. Marks, and Brandi Walker.

Organizations involved: (United We Stand):

• Kentucky Equality Federation
• Kentucky Fairness Alliance
• The Fairness Campaign (Louisville)

Anti-gay Christians miss message.

Anti-gay Christians miss message. Click here to read the article by Staff reporter Kevin Eigelbach who writes on religion for The Cincinnati Post and Kentucky Post.

Support rally in Berea tomorrow at a soldier's funeral to counter Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church.

Kentucky Equality Federation will participate in a counter protest in Berea tomorrow at the Berea Baptist Church.

The Westboro Baptist Church, ran by Fred Phelps and family will be picketing the funeral of Private First Class Theodore M. West. The Phelps "clan" own websites such as www.gothatesfags.com, and www.godhatescanada.com.

The Westboro Baptist Church pickets funerals nationwide with the message "Thank God for AIDS," "Thank God for Weapons of Mass Destruction," and "Your Son is Burning in Hell."

In an email message with the Berea Baptist Church, Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer said "Phelps and his "clan" in my opinion use the word of God to spread hate and intolerance. I personally believe he will have a lot to answer for when he stands before God in Judgment. But, that is only my opinion. I'm not qualified to be his Judge because this is an act reserved by God himself.

Palmer also stated "Regardless of how Theodore M. West died, he did so in defense in the ideals the founders of our commonwealth and our republic laid before us. He died in our defense, and fought so other generations could enjoy the democracy of both the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the entire United States of America."

Palmer told Berea Baptist Church Senior Pastor Kevin Slemp that regardless of the political and spiritual differences the Berea Baptist Church and Kentucky Equality Federation may or may not have, he hoped they could agree the message the Phelps "clan" was sending was wrong.

Slemp responded to Palmer's communication by stating "I share your outrage at their protest. Personally, I would be supportive of your counter-protest. We are already expecting counter-protesters called the 'Patriot Guard Riders.' Given their planned participation, and the fact that Governor Fletcher and perhaps Congressman Chandler might also attend, we will already have quite a busy event. On Wednesday, my associate minister and myself met with officers of the Berea Police and the Kentucky State Police to prepare, and I would certainly want them to be fully informed of any additional counter-protests. My hope is that we will be able to prevent this event from having a circus-like atmosphere for the sake of the family. Thank you so much for the care and consideration you have expressed for the West family."

Kentucky Equality Federation shares the concern of the Berea Baptist Church of not turning a funeral into a "circus-like event." Federation President Palmer and Federation Alliance Manager Clarence Wallace would like to remind all members and participants that we will stand without speaking; this remains a personal funeral and we must respect the fact that family members are in mourning.

"Kentucky Equality Federation continues to coordinate details of the event with the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, the Berea Police Department, and the Kentucky State Police." stated Palmer.

Kentucky Equality Federation asks its members who wish to participate visit a local store a purchase two hand held flags; please hold the Flag of the Commonwealth in one hand, and the Flag of the United States of America in the other.

If anyone would like to convey a religious message, please use "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Anyone wishing to participate with Kentucky Equality Federation should meet us at First Christian Church in Berea, KY at 11 AM on Saturday for a briefing with the Berea Police Department. The First Christian Church is located across the street from Berea City Hall in Madison County.

Federation management scheduled to attend include:
- Jordan Palmer, President
- Brian Endicott, Vice President
- Clarence Wallace, Membership & Alliance Manager
- Nancy Couch, Secretary of the Federation
- Nick Herweck, Northern Kentucky Chapter President
- Jesse Alexander, Awareness Representative At-Large

Kentucky Equality Appoints a Vice President and an Awareness Representative for Louisville, KY.

Kentucky Equality Federation is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Brian Endicott as Federation Vice President.

Mr. Endicott was Chapter President of the Federation's Southeastern Kentucky Region until his official appointment as vice president of the organization on November 27, 2006.

In his new role, Endicott will assist in the supervision of legislative affairs as well as new volunteer and awareness development.

Some of the text of Endicott's official officer job descrition include:
The Federation Vice President coordinates and maintains information on current events and trends within the realm of our Mission Statement with the Awareness Manager, Awareness Representatives, and related staff ("Awareness Staff"). Maintains regular contact with Awareness Staff and presents recommendations to the Federation President and the Advisory Council.

The Federation Vice President coordinates implementation and execution of Federation policies and practices related to strategies, campaigns, and work plans. Provides leadership for problem resolution in this area.

Works closely with, and assists the Alliance Manager and Awareness Staff to develop and implement strategies, campaigns, work plans, reports, coalitions, and organizational growth.

Coordinates efficient and timely dissemination of special materials to build goodwill and community relations. Helps ensure consistency and credibility in all communications with targeted audiences and Federation Members.

In addition to Endicott, Kentucky Equality Federation now has an Awareness Representative for Louisville, KY.

Ms. Brandi Walker assumed her new role on November 27, 2006 as well.

Kentucky Equality Federation is currently talking to several different people about the open position for Southeastern Kentucky. No decision will be made however until January 02, 2007 on who the new Chapter Leader will be.