2010 Elections to provide more anti-gay legislation

With an election year just around the corner (2010), it is all but certain that Kentucky lawmakers will file anti-gay legislation in a misguided attempt to appeal to their conservative base in order to get elected again.

During the last election year, Kentucky House members filed legislation to prevent Kentucky public institutions from offering domestic-partner benefits.

That wasn't even the worst of it, over a dozen of the co-sponsors of the bill belonged to the Democratic Party. Kentucky Equality Federation accused several of the lawmakers of lying (previous story). This was a fight we fought year after year for several years (including a special session called by then Governor Fletcher which included the ban on domestic-partner benefits), and I'm amazed it was not proposed again during the 2009 legislative session.

During the 2008 legislative session, House and Senate members also pushed the new "In God We Trust" license plate legislation (previous story) to appeal to their conservative base.

To complicate things further this year for the LGBTI community, one of the most powerful anti-gay groups in the nation, Liberty Counsel went on high alert in January. Liberty Counsel went as far as to call the Office of U.S. President and the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives an 'axis of power.' (previous story).

This year the Family Foundation of Kentucky has toured the Commonwealth with their "Save Marriage Initiatives" (previous story).

Senate Bill 68 in 2009 was only the beginning of the attack the LGBTI community of Kentucky has in store for it with the 2010 elections around the corner.

Though the general election will not take place until November 02, 2010, lawmakers will attempt to 'make a name for themselves' by filing whatever legislation is necessary to get elected to office again (as they have in the past). I for one am sick and tired of being used as a political target simply because I'm gay.

LGBTI rights organizations can only do so much to protect the LGBTI community; the rest requires direct action from the LGBTI community and our straight allies..... to become engaged in the fight for equality by volunteering or making financial donations.