Federation criticizes response - News

Federation criticizes response - News

NKU Update - Northern Kentucky Gays Sustain Record Number of Attacks (all within weeks).

These attacks, targeted against the LGBT community in Northern Kentucky are record in numbers. Never before has the commonwealth seen such blatant hate crimes related to our community. Education and exposure to diversity in non-threatening environments promotes tolerance; it is critical that occur during high-school and college, when individual minds are significantly more open to social diversity. Jordan Palmer, president of Kentucky Equality Federation spoke with Mike Volmer, co-president of Common Ground at Northern Kentucky University; the Federation offered Common Ground financial and material aid, and plan to meet next week.

COVINGTON - Police believe two apparent homophobic attacks - one in which a man was stabbed - are not related. The victim in the stabbing was attacked following an encounter in a local restaurant.

Police say that he was in the bar of La Tradicion restaurant when a man approached him and asked "if he was really a female." The victim said he was not and walked away. According to the police report, "Suspect then approached victim from rear, stabbing him twice. Suspect stated to victim, 'I got you.'" The victim, whose name is being withheld for his own protection, was treated at a local hospital and released.

Police have listed the attack as a bias crime but have few leads. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his early 20s with dark shaved hair. Investigators say he fled in what may have been a gray Chevrolet Impala with Ohio plates.

Police also are looking for vandals who spray painted hate messages on a local home. The owner, a white woman who says she is not gay, found the graffiti about 2:30 in the morning. KKK and fag were painted on the exterior of the home, along with a swastika.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY - After vandals scrawled anti-gay messages across Jeremy Phillippi's dormitory door last week, the Northern Kentucky University resident assistant suspected the culprits would never be caught. But he hoped university officials would use the incident to underscore their intolerance for such hate crimes.

He enlisted the help of the Kentucky Equality Federation this week to push NKU administrators to take a more aggressive stance against acts of discrimination, intimidation and hatred. Now, administrators at the Highland Heights school say they will consider Phillippi's suggestions.

The 19-year-old gay man returned to his first-floor room in Kentucky Hall Aug. 28 to find expletives and anti-homosexual messages scribbled across his door in bold black marker.

"It said, 'Fag! I hope you get AIDS,'" he said.

Phillippi followed procedures that require an electronic report be filed immediately with the resident hall director and university housing administrators. After that, he cleaned the words from his door and went to bed.

In the days following the crime - officially classified as third-degree criminal mischief - Phillippi also met with the director of university housing and the dean of students. He said he hoped the university would use the case to inform students about the school's intolerance for such discriminatory acts. But he said there was a lack of action.

They "said they just wanted to see how I was doing and let me knew the administration knew about what happened," Phillippi recalled of his conversation with the housing administrator.
"I asked if a statement had been prepared about it, and (they) said yes, a statement had been written up to be released, which hasn't happened. And he kept using the word 'vandalism' which I think downplays the incident. I was pretty upset, so I just left. ... I really felt victimized again pretty much."

Phillippi said 10 days after the incident he remains dissatisfied with the university's response, so he met with members of the campus Gay-Straight Alliance. They directed him to contact the Northern Kentucky chapter of the Kentucky Equality Federation for help.

The volunteer organization works for gay, lesbian and transgender rights, and was recently instrumental in helping students at Boone County High School gain approval to form an in-school Gay-Straight Alliance.

Thursday, Phillippi filed a complaint with the federation, seeking help in getting further action from university officials. "We would definitely like for the administration to take a more hands-on approach with this," said Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer. "I don't think realistically they'll ever find out who did it, but (administrators) could issue a statement in the school newspaper, for instance ... that you don't target people like this. This isn't acceptable behavior."

University officials said they have kept silent about the incident because they believed that was Phillippi's wish. But school spokesman Chris Cole said administrators are open to Phillippi's ideas about using the incident to teach students, administrators and teachers that all types of discrimination and hatred are unacceptable.

"The strong conclusion that the housing director and the (campus police) officer came to was that the R.A. did not want to call attention to himself and the investigation ... so we attempted to retain his privacy," Cole said.

"But, we are always looking for teachable moments, and any time an incident like this happens, it's certainly a teachable moment. ... So, anything he wants to do, I'm sure the housing director would be glad to work with him on it."

Cole said school officials understand that difficult discussions need to take place about things "in a way that's not threatening or destructive." Cole alluded to an incident in April when a professor was charged with helping her students tear down an anti-abortion display on the Highland Heights campus. Charges against the teacher, Sally Jacobsen, were dismissed after she successfully completed a mediation program, but the controversy raged for months following the high-profile incident.

Phillippi also referred to that incident as added reason for university officials to take swift and public action to condemn acts of destruction, discrimination and hatred. He said he plans to educate residents in his dorm about issues relevant to the case. His hope is that the university will lend its muscle to his message before then. "I just think that if something relatively small like this gets by, then what are they going to do with something else?" Phillippi said.

"That's why I wanted to take an educational twist with what happened. ... So people learn from it."

ACTION ALERT - HATE CRIME AT NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

On August 28, 2006 at approximately 12:30 AM someone committed a hate crime, act of vandalism, and bullying against a resident assistant, who is also a member Northern Kentucky University's Common Ground, the university's Gay-Straight Alliance (campus police report # 060549).

Writing foul language with the words "Fag......I hope you get AIDS" is a clear act of hatred directed to Common Ground, as well as the resident assistant's door it was written on.

One or more of the members of Common Ground has filed an official complaint with Kentucky Equality Federation because the university isn't doing anything proactive to either find the individual(s) involved in the incident, or advise students that such behavior is unacceptable.

The Kentucky Equality Federation would like to see university management take a more "hands on" role in this investigation, and issue a public statement condemning this action with consequences of targeting students because of their sexual orientation or gender identity clearly identified.

The academic consequences of bullying are severe, not to mention the mental and physical well-being of targeted students and bystanders alike. Students at Northern Kentucky University deserve to be able to be themselves, without having to face verbal or physical violence and be able to get an education without having to suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Kentucky Equality Federation would like to know what action(s) are being taken to find the individual(s) involved and advise students that such behavior will not be tolerated.

Click here to sign the letter to Northern Kentucky University's President, as well as the Executive Assistant to Northern Kentucky University's Board of Regents.

Kentucky Equality Federation offers new services to report hate crimes, discrimination, and school bullying; Federation to act as a buffer.

Hate crimes, discrimination, and school bullying is a sickening reality for many of us. From high profile murder cases, such as those of Matthew Shepard and David 'Sinders' Morley, to local, everyday incidents, hate crime is a startling fact of life for gay people.

What is hate crime?
"A crime committed against a person or persons because of a particular group they belong to such as women, lesbians, gay men and bisexual people, transgender people, Black and minority ethnic people, Jewish people, Muslim people and so on."

Hate crime against one person sends a message of violence to their communities, which creates an atmosphere of fear. Hate crimes can range from anti-gay insults, threats, queer-bashings, sexual violence and murder. It can also include harassment such as hate mail, phone calls, texts, emails, graffiti, repeated name calling, following, theft or damage to property.

How prevalent is hate crime?
The United States has seen a startling increase in the number of LGBT hate crimes; this steady increase has been documented in all 50 U.S. states, 2 commonwealths, and 3 territories.

I would like to report a hate crime, school bullying, or discrimination. What should I do?
You can now complete a report online and submit it to Kentucky Equality Federation. We will do everything possible and necessary to protect your privacy, and we will ensure your constitutional freedoms, rights, and liberties are protected.

How is the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community facing up to hate crime?
Organisations such as Kentucky Equality Federation act as a "buffer" between the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community and the police; we are also campaigning for better resources to address hate crimes.

“Some children and teenager’s, especially in small Kentucky communities are afraid to go to the police, or take legal action when they suffer from or witness discrimination, school bullying, and even hate crimes,” stated Jordan Palmer, president of Kentucky Equality. “Schools throughout the commonwealth are particularly quick to dismiss school bullying related to a child or teenager’s gender identity and sexual orientation; we want to make sure their complaints are taking seriously, and make sure local officials stop it with more than just a slap on the wrist.”

In 2006 the Kentucky House of Representatives passed HB 270, a school bullying bill that included provisions to protect homosexual students. The bill died however in the Kentucky Senate.

Kentucky Equality believes a lot of incidents go unreported each year throughout Kentucky because of bad experiences in working with law enforcement, others fear being “outed” or reprisals from their perpetrators. However, unless people do report it, there will be no true record of the extent of the problem and nothing will be done to address it.

Kentucky Equality Federation will do everything possible and necessary to protect the privacy of individuals who do not want their incidents to become public knowledge.

Steak n' Shake manager in Louisville, KY told Kentucky Equality Federation members "fags you gotta go." **CONTAINS UPDATED INFORMATION**

Louisville, KY August 22, 2006 -- Kentucky Equality Federation* [formerly called Kentucky Equality Association, both names are registered with the Kentucky Secretary of State] members were verbally abused and refused service at a Steak n’ Shake in Louisville, KY because of their sexual orientation. Scott Kays and three of his friends entered the Steak n’ Shake at 3232 Bardstown Road at approximately 2:45 AM EST on August 21, 2006 and was told "fags you gotta go," after seating themselves according to Kays, an official, voting member of the Federation.

"I hope the citizens of the commonwealth truly see the discrimination the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community goes through," stated Jordan Palmer, president of Kentucky Equality. "We’ve had a student expelled from college, dedicated and patriotic citizens kicked out of the military, and intolerance based on sexual orientation and gender identity; this is not the equal treatment and representation this country was founded to represent."

The district manager for the Steak n' Shake on Bardstown Road told Kentucky Equality the company did not discriminate, and that the Bardstown Road location had a diverse staff.

Kentucky Equality Federation had planned to file a discrimination charges against the company, an action that has since been placed on hold pending the stores investigation into the incident. Kentucky Equality has been very satisfied and impressed with the level of cooperation and attentiveness to the issue from Steak n' Shake's corporate office.

Palmer also stated that though this incident does not reflect Stake n' Shake's corporate culture, is a perfect example of why legislation should be in place to protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in the areas of housing, credit, public accommodations, and employment.

* Kentucky Equality Association changed its primary trade name to Kentucky Equality Federation on August 21, 2006 after becoming an official member of the International Lesbian and Gay Association.

UPDATE -- CONCLUSION: Kentucky Equality has been satisfied with Steak n' Shake's level of cooperation and attentiveness to the issue, intolerance based on sexual orientation and gender identity. All three corporate representatives have advised Kentucky Equality that the LGBT community is welcome in all of their locations.

Overall, the company has responded to our investigation and requests for information in a very friendly, positive fashion; they've been rather impressive.

Intolerance will follow us everywhere; we cannot allow one individual to undermine our efforts. From a "first look," if other companies leaped into action as quickly as they have, our work environments would be much, much better.

An additional update will be posted tomorrow.

Kentucky Equality Praises Progress; New Federal Pension Law Includes Measures for the LGBT Community.

The Kentucky Equality Federation (formerly officially called Kentucky Equality Association) sent letters of praise to U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R) from the State of Oregon, and U.S. Representative Benjamin L. Cardin (D) from the State of Maryland for their strong support of the new Federal Pension Protection Act, and U.S. President George Bush for signing the legislation into law.

The letter campaign also included letters to Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign whose organization lobbied Congress to pass the measure, and David Ratcliffe, National co-leader of Merrill Lynch's LGBT Professional Network.

The legislation, with strong bipartisan support received final approval on August 3, 2006.

The first provision allows the transfer of an individual's retirement plan benefits to a domestic partner or other non-spouse beneficiary including a sibling or parent when the individual dies. Specifically, the surviving partner, or other non-spouse beneficiary, will now be able to transfer his or her deceased partner's retirement funds into an Individual Retirement Account and either draw down the benefits over a five-year period, or over his or her own life expectancy.

In the past, surviving same-sex partners or other non-spouse beneficiaries in similar situations were typically forced to withdraw the entire amount as a lump sum and incur immediate tax charges. In addition, this action often bumped the survivor into a higher tax bracket because the withdrawal was counted as taxable income to the beneficiary.

The second provision, which addresses retirement plan hardship distributions, allows gay couples and others with non-spouse, non-dependent beneficiaries, similar access to laws that permit people to draw on their retirement funds in the case of a qualifying medical or financial emergency. In the past, the federal law covered only the spouses or dependents of employees when it came to accessing retirement funds during an emergency.

“Though we have yet to find common ground on various other issues, it is good to see that Congress hasn’t forgotten their lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered constituents in other areas of the law,” stated Paige D. Marks, general counsel for Kentucky Equality.

Jordan Palmer, president of the Kentucky Equality Federation stressed the importance of praising elected officials when they take positive steps toward progress. “I’m certain these officials will come under fire from ultra-conservatives; all the more reason they need our praise, so that we’re not just contacting them to complain about something,” stated Palmer.

The Kentucky Equality Federation also thanked the following state delegates to the federal government for their bipartisan support, including former U.S. Representative Rob Portman (R-OH), U.S. Representative Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ways & Means Committee Chairman Representative Bill Thomas (R-CA), U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), U.S. Senator Max Baucus (R-MT), and U.S. Senator Jim Jeffords (I-VT).

Political Candidate Ratings; A List of the Rights LGBT People are DENIED!

Did you know? For the record, see all the rights you're denied.

There is nothing within the sovereign borders of this commonwealth that validates, protects or encourages our existence.

* Accidental death benefit for the surviving spouse of a government employee;
* Appointment as guardian of a minor;
* Beneficial owner status of corporate securities;
* Bill of Rights benefits for victims and witnesses;
* Consent to post-mortem examination;
* Control, division, acquisition, and disposition of community property
* Criminal injuries compensation;
* Death benefit for surviving spouse for government employee
* Disclosure of vital statistics records;
* Eligibility for housing opportunity allowance program of the Housing, Finance and Development Corporation;
* Exemption from claims of Department of Human Services for social services payments, financial assistance, or burial payments;
* Exemption from conveyance tax;
* Funeral leave for government employees;
* Income tax deductions, credits, rates exemption, and estimates;
* Insurance licenses, coverage, eligibility, and benefits organization of mutual benefits society;
* Legal status with partner's children;
* Making partner medical decisions;
* Payment of wages to a relative of deceased employee;
* Payment of worker's compensation benefits after death;
* Permission to make arrangements for burial or cremation;
* Public assistance from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services;
* Right to change names;
* Right to inherit property;
* Rights and proceedings for involuntary hospitalization and treatment;
* Spousal privilege and confidential marriage communications;
* Tax relief for natural disaster losses;

The commonwealth currently has no laws to protect homosexuals, bisexuals, and transgender people from discrimination in:
* Employment
* Housing
* Public Accommodations
* Credit

This is why it is critical that Kentuckians go to the polls in November. Please remember these candidates when you vote. The following Kentucky candidates seeking re-election have received an "F" Kentucky Equality Rating; these candidates have either sponsored or proposed anti-gay laws.

SENATE DISTRICT 16 - COUNTIES: Clinton, Cumberland, McCreary, Monroe, Wayne, Whitley
Senate President David L. Williams

HOUSE DISTRICT 8 - COUNTIES: Christian, Trigg
James R. Carr (R) In office since 2005

HOUSE DISTRICT 16 - COUNTIES: Logan, Todd
Sheldon E. Baugh (R) In office since 1995

HOUSE DISTRICT 19 - COUNTIES: Edmonson, Hart, Larue
Terry Shelton (R)

HOUSE DISTRICT 27 - COUNTIES: Bullitt, Hardin, Meade
Gerry Lynn (R) - In office since 2005

HOUSE DISTRICT 49 - COUNTY: Bullitt
Mary Harper (R) - In office since 2001

HOUSE DISTRICT 51 - COUNTIES: Adair, Taylor
Russ Mobley (R) - In office since 2001

HOUSE DISTRICT 54 - COUNTIES: Boyle, Washington
Mike Harmon (R) - In office since 2003

HOUSE DISTRICT 58 - COUNTIES: Shelby, Spencer
Brad Montell (R)

HOUSE DISTRICT 68 - COUNTIES: Campbell
Joseph M. Fischer (R) - In office since 1999

HOUSE DISTRICT 94 - COUNTIES: Harlan, Letcher, Pike
Howard Cornett (R) - In office since 1999

Boone County High School in Florence, KY gives Gay-Straight Alliance a Green Light.

FLORENCE, KY (PRWEB) July 20, 2006 - Boone County High School has ended more four months of stonewalling and avoided a federal lawsuit by finally approving the formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance.

The school's Site-Based Council unanimously approved the formation of the club at a meeting Wednesday night.

In June, the Kentucky Equality Association said in a letter to school administrators that LGBT students at Boone County High School were the victims of discrimination. The organization also said that the school's action may be illegal under the Kentucky Education Reform Act and threatened to go to court.

In its letter to the school the Kentucky Equality Association reminded it that the Federal Equal Access Act requires schools to treat GSA’s as they would any other school group.

While the school delayed making a decision on whether it would allow a GSA to organize it approved 16 other clubs including one dedicated to the animated cartoon, Anime.

"It was both remarkable and wonderful to see various groups and organizations from two states in the same room to support such a wonderful cause; to make sure our gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, and questioning teenagers have a school club were they are accepted, and can talk freely in a non-threatening environment," said Jordan Palmer, President of the Kentucky Equality Association in a statement following Wednesday night's vote.

Nick Herweck, the organizer of the GSA and a senior member of the Kentucky Equality Association had an unprecedented amount of support from organizations and groups across two states, including the AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky University’s Pride Alliance, Northern Kentucky University’s Common Ground, Cincinnati’s Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a representative from Social Services, various community members, and the Kentucky Fairness Alliance filled the commons area of the school to support the formation of the Boone County High School Gay-Straight Alliance.

The Kentucky Equality Association invited Northern Kentucky University's Common Ground, as well as the Kentucky Fairness Alliance to the event.

GSA's are in schools across the country. In areas where school boards have attempted to block them Federal courts have repeatedly ruled in favor of the students. Recent cases were in Utah, California and Indiana.

In 2004 a Federal judge ruled in favor of students that wanted to organize a GSA in another Kentucky community. As part of the settlement to end the case the Boyd County school district agreed to establish required anti-harassment training for all students.

Last March a judge ruled that students opposed to homosexuality could not opt out of the course.