LGBT rights in Kentucky

Want to do something to advance LGBT rights in Kentucky?

Bluegrass Fairness of Central Kentucky and the Kentucky Equality Federation are sponsoring the first LGBT lobby day of this session on February 12; Equality. Fairness. Nothing more, nothing less. This shall be the day we take the fight for equality and fairness directly to our Capitol.

We need your support as the opposition has the voices and numbers that we fail to get to the Capitol. Pro and/or friendly LGBT policies are the minority, but we need to drum enough support to seem like the majority.

We plan on having many guest speakers; including Senator Ernesto Scorsone, Representative Kathy W. Stein, Pastor Cynthia Cain, and Christine Maxwell (former chair of TransKentucky).

We have two exciting events planned for you; you may register for one or both events:

> Speak to your elected officials from 9:00AM - 1:00PM
> Rally in the Capitol Rotunda from 1:00PM - 2:00PM

Click here to register for one or both events!

Show your support by standing united with Kentucky Equality Federation and Bluegrass Fairness of Central Kentucky! Your presence will make a real difference in the fight for equality and fairness for LGBT Kentuckians!

What's at stake?

House Bill 118, the Healthcare Inequality Bill. Public universities and other government agencies would not be allowed to offer health insurance to the unmarried domestic partners of their employees should this bill become law.

House Bill 33. This bill would allow anyone 18 and older to designate a non-blood relative as having hospital room access (such as a same-sex partner).

Senate Bill 55, the non-discrimination bill. Senator Ernesto Scorsone had filed Senate Bill 55 to "to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity."

Bigoted organizations that wrongfully right in the name of righteousness.

As the American Family Association continues its boycott of Ford, others are actually sponsoring the national hate group that lists the following on their website:

• The mandate for marriage continues. Voters in seven states passed amendments that protected the institution of a man and a woman.
• Homosexual groups are pushing to place gender confusion and the cross-dress identities into the youngest levels of public education. American Family Association (AFA) says it has now secured over 700,000 signatures from those pledging to boycott the Ford Motor Company over its continued support of same-sex marriage and homosexual advocacy.
• Supporters of hate crimes laws routinely deny that these politically correct laws are intended to silence religious speech or opposition to gay rights political agendas. Yet, when given the chance to prove this claim, the supporters of hate crimes show their true colors.
• AT&T needs to hear from you today! Ask them to stop sponsoring the mockery of God on TNT network.

Who supports and sponsors the American Family Association, and the Louisville based American Family Association of Kentucky?

• Kroger
• Thornton's
• Wal-Mart (click here for a related post about Wal-Mart)

When you visit the national American Family Association website and click "donate," there is an annoying cartoon-like character of Don Wildmon, their Chairman, thanking you for your donating. Well, thanks but no thanks Don, I'll be keeping my money for a more worthwhile cause other than supporting an intolerant, bigoted organization such as yours.

The United States of America has over 300 million citizens. The American Family Association claims nearly 3.3 million members which accounts for 1% of the total population. Is it really a stretch to believe that 1% of the total United States population are closet homosexuals or have gay issues they haven't addressed yet? Why else would they be so terrified of a minority group and do everything possible to deny constitutional freedoms to them? I know one thing.....I'm sick of them spoon feeding rhetoric to the public.....I'm fighting back, starting with this post.

Though the American Family Association claims nearly 3.3 million members, their Kentucky chapter could only manage to gather a mere 200 people to visit the Kentucky Capital the day they held a rally and no lawmaker was present.

Soulforce - Touched by Angels.

3 are arrested at gay-rights group's event
CUMBERLANDS ONE OF 32 STOPS

By Bill Estep
SOUTH-CENTRAL KENTUCKY BUREAU

Click here to view images of the Soulforce reception.

WILLIAMSBURG --Police arrested three people yesterday when a gay-rights group tried to talk to students at the University of the Cumberlands, which found itself embroiled in controversy last year after expelling a gay student.

About 25 people taking part in the Soulforce Equality Ride had stopped at the school. Soulforce is visiting 32 colleges and universities to draw attention to policies the group says discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and to promote hope and reconciliation, members said.

Members have been arrested at other stops, including earlier this week in Louisville.

"Throughout our stops in the South we have encountered a lot of hostility," said Matt Comer of Greensboro, N.C., an organizer of Soulforce.

Comer said that when the bus got to the school about 10 a.m., Michael Colegrove, the school's vice president for student services, told the riders they would be trespassing if they came on campus.

Dozens of police officers were on hand. Comer said police told the activists that they could not stand on a public sidewalk beside the campus, but rather would have to keep walking or face arrest.

Williamsburg Police Chief Denny Shelley said police charged Soulforce member Jacob Reitan with trespassing and failure to disperse. Two Cumberlands students were charged with failure to disperse.

Comer said it seemed the university and police tried to keep the Soulforce riders from talking to students.

"It sounds ridiculous to even say" someone could be charged for standing on a public sidewalk, Comer said. "The police know what they're doing is wrong."

Colegrove said the university also tried to cooperate with the group and offered members a spot on campus for their visit. However, the group wanted free run of the campus, which wasn't possible because of the potential disruption, and rejected the university's offer, he said.

Comer, however, said Soulforce did not reject the university's offer. A university official quickly withdrew the offer because of a miscommunication and later refused to agree to terms in writing, he said.

The group talked to students for about three hours.

Later yesterday, Soulforce members held a rally on the steps of the Whitley County courthouse. About 40 people listened and about 10 protesters stood on the courthouse lawn holding signs with Bible verses on them.

Many conservative Christians believe the Bible condemns homosexuality. Soulforce members, however, say that belief is hurtful and wrong; several said they consider themselves Christians.

Emily Harlow, a freshman at the University of the Cumberlands, said she came to the rally to hear what group members had to say.

"It's time Cumberland realized it's OK to be gay and be a Christian."

There had been concern on campus that students could face trouble for talking to Soulforce members or attending the rally.

Colegrove, however, said that wasn't the case. Students have First Amendment rights too, he said.

Still, Jordan Palmer, president of the Kentucky Equality Federation, which helped pay for the Soulforce visit to Williamsburg, gave students cards and said to call him if they encountered a problem as a result of coming to the rally.

Kyle DeVries, a Soulforce spokesman, identified the two Cumberlands students who were arrested as Warry Woodward and Annie Decrescente.

Last year, the university expelled Jason Johnson of Lexington, who had disclosed on a Web site that he is gay.

The university's policy said any student who engages in or promotes sexual behavior not consistent with Christian principles, including homosexuality or sex outside marriage, could be suspended or asked to leave school.

University President Jim Taylor said at the time the policy was in line with traditional denominational beliefs.

Johnson returned to Williamsburg yesterday to be with the protesters and thanked students at his former school. "Bless you," he told the students. "You have more courage than you know." Johnson is now a student at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond.

Click here to view images of the Soulforce reception.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Hundreds turn out to fight for gay rights.

Yesterday was a historic day in the Commonwealth of Kentucky as gay rights organizations and their allies brought the fight directly to their seat of government at the Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort.

Hosted by Kentucky Fairness Alliance and Louisville's Fairness Campaign, with support from Kentucky Equality Federation and Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, more than 250 people showed up at the Capitol Rally.

Kentucky Equality Federation would like to give special thanks to Model High School's Gay-Straight Alliance as well as the Eastern Kentucky University Pride Alliance, and Boone County High School Gay-Straight Alliance for their support. Federation President Jordan Palmer, Federation Alliance Manager Clarence Wallace, and Northern Chapter President Nick Herweck coordinated their participation in the historic event.

Special thanks also to Jordan Boyer with Model High School, and Ms. Staci Wilson.

"We must fight the bigotry anti-gay groups and some homophobic elected officials practice; they want nothing more than to dehumanize a large group of people, deny their humanity, happiness, health, civil, and God given rights. If this isn't challenged by everyone, we are giving our government the green light to victimize other minority groups." - Jordan Palmer, Kentucky Equality Federation President

Click here to view additional photos.

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)