From WKMS 91.3's website: One week before the Fourth of July, when we as a nation celebrate our independence, an American minority group commemorates another declaration of freedom. 40 years ago this week, gay men took a stand at New York City's Stonewall Inn, planting the seed for the American gay rights movement. Western Kentuckians and people across the nation celebrated Pride Day in remembrance of Stonewall. Jacque Day talks with three generations of area residents about what it means to them. Listen here .
Examples of Discrimination by State or Local Government
June 30, 2009
If you are a state or local government employee and have experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity/expression, we need to hear from you! We are assisting the Williams Institute at UCLA collect this information. It is important that during the upcoming debate over the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), that a case be made that discrimination does impact state and local government employees too!
If you have a story to share, please send us the following information:
1) State vs. local government (city/county);
2)
Type of job (police, school teacher, university employee, etc.);
3)
Was the discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity/expression;
4)
Years discrimination occurred;
5) Type of discrimination (failed to hire, fired, verbal harassment);
6)
1-2 paragraphs about what happened;
7)
Was a complaint or grievance filed;
8)
If so, what happened (result in settlement, action);
9)
If not filed, why not?; and
10)
Contact information (let us know if we can share it or not).
This week, Representative Barney Frank, joined by Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis, introduced an inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) - which would extend the existing federal law prohibiting employment discrimination to protect people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
“The introduction of an inclusive ENDA is great news for fair-minded Kentuckians,” said Travis Myles, KFA Board Chairperson. "It is time for Kentuckians to speak collectively and timely to our Congressional delegation to say ‘Fairness is a Kentucky Value’."
Ask your Kentucky Congressman to sign-on as a co-sponsor of ENDA. Click here!
Senate Hearing on Matthew Shepard Act
June 21, 2009
The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing on the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act for Thursday, June 25, 2009, so your Senators need to hear from you now (Click here)!
KY Commission Hosts Public Hearing
June 9, 2009
On June 17 , the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights (KCHR) will host the first ever educational program by a Kentucky government agency on sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination. This public hearing will be held in Richmond where local efforts are underway to pass Kentucky’s fourth local fairness ordinance. Ordinances are already on the books in Lexington/Fayette County, Louisville/Jefferson County, and the City of Covington.
A Fair Future For Kentucky:
A Call For An End To Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity June 17, 2009 – 6:00 p.m. (EST) City Hall Commission Chamber - Richmond, KY
The KCHR is conducting a series of advocacy hearings across the state. Each hearing focuses on a particular group that is protected under the Kentucky Civil Rights Act. While the Act has not yet been amended to include protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, KCHR unanimously endorsed the passage of a statewide fairness law through formal resolution last year.
The hearing will include invited panelists/speakers Jody Cofer of Murray, Jennifer Crossen of Lexington, Rev. Don Smith of Covington, and Carla Wallace of Louisville. The program will also include brief remarks by KCHR Executive Director John Johnson.
The program will be filmed and broadcast on local access television in Richmond.
Please make plans to join us and other fair-minded Kentuckians for this historic program.
Support the Reuniting Families Act
June 1, 2009
This month, U.S. Congressman Mike Honda will introduce The Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 6938), a landmark immigration bill that ends harmful practices - such as long visa wait times and discrimination against LGBT families - that prevent loving families from being together.
In an historic move, Congressman Honda has included lesbian and gay people as part of this remarkable legislation . . . marking the first time in Congressional history that lesbian and gay couples have been included as part of a multi-issue immigration bill.
In 2006, Kentucky Fairness Alliance (KFA) initiated a legal challenge, involving $11 million in state funds being appropriated to a private, religion-based institution, University of the Cumberlands, that is on-going today. This case continues to move forward and will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court of Kentucky!
The University of the Cumberlands expelled honor studentJason Johnson in April of 2006, simply because he is gay. Shortly after Jason's story broke, our allies in the legislature alerted us to the multi-million dollar recurring appropriation, tucked quietly into the 2006 state budget.
The timeline going forward could place oral arguments, if allowed by the Court, in mid-to-late fall.
Your support of KFA remains crucial as we say that state-subsidized discrimination is wrong!
David Tachau, Louisville attorney of Tachau Meek PLC, continues to represent KFA, Christina Gilgor, Rev. Dr. Pennybacker, Rev. Dr. Simmons, and the Jefferson County Teachers Association in this case. Tachau Meek PLC is handling this case pro-bono.
KFA says, “The General Assembly’s proposed Pharmacy School Building and Pharmacy Scholarship Program appropriations are prohibited under sections 5, 171, and 189 of Kentucky’s Constitution...” (Brief of Appellees, May, 2009).
Film Series Kickoff Gala: June 4, 2009
May 4, 2009
The Kentucky Fairness Alliance Foundation is proud to present the 2nd Annual Gay & Lesbian Film Series, coming to Louisville's Village 8 Theaters during June!
Join us for the KFA Kickoff Gala, a casual reception with music provided by Night Owl DJ.
June 4, 7:00 -10:00 p.m. (EST)
Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center
Louisville
Sponsorship opportunities are also available and start at just $100. Click on the "sign-up" link above.
Sponsors include:
G3 of Louisville
producing sponsor
Darren Branham and Jeff Hormann
Brian Buford, University of Louisville's LGBT Services
David Corbett
Mike Handley & Mark England
Chad S. Hundley, Craven Corner Enterprises
Jessica Loving & Sheryl Snyder
Sam Marcosson
Travis Myles & Scott Burchett
Carla Wallace
Nick Wilkerson
star sponsor(s)
Act Now to Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell
March 9, 2009
Last week, Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) introduced legislation to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and ensure that all qualified Americans can serve openly in the military regardless of sexual orientation. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act will replace the current law with new provisions prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Help make sure the Military Readiness Enhancement Act passes through Congress and reaches the President's desk. Write to your representative now and ask him or her to co-sponsor it by clicking here!
KY Senate Judiciary Committee Approves SB 68 and Gov. Beshear's Office Speaks Out
March 5, 2009, updated March 6, 2009
Sadly, the Committee passed the "Divisive Child Welfare Bill" favorably after hearing testimony only from the bill's sponsor, Sen. Tapp, and a representative of the Family Foundation of Kentucky. Please act now. You should CALL the Legislative Message Line at 800-372-7181 and LEAVE YOUR MESSAGE OF OPPOSITION TO SB 68 for your Senator AND Senate Leadership. This is painless and takes only a few minutes.
According to Page One Kentucky, Gov. Beshear's office has issued the following statement on the proposed legislation: "The governor believes our current laws are appropriate and don’t need to be changed with respect to adoption. The courts review adoptions on a case-by-case basis and act in the best interests of the child. That’s as it should be. That’s how it should remain."
What do the medical and social service professionals say about gay couples adopting? Here it is DIRECTLY from THEM!
UCLA's Williams Institute Releases Cost Study on KY SB 68 (a.k.a. the Divisive Child Welfare Shift)
February 24, 2009
The report estimates that SB 68 would cost the State over $5.3 million in the first year. “The bulk of the costs are associated with placing children in congregate care facilities, which are more costly than in-home foster care,” noted study co-author Naomi Goldberg, the Peter J. Cooper Public Policy Fellow at The Williams Institute. Additional costs cited in the report include the recruitment of new foster and adoptive parents.
In 2009, the KFA Foundation will award three $1,500 scholarships. They are the Jason Johnson Scholarship, Mark England Scholarship, & "Erika's Hope" Memorial Scholarship.
Receive the latest updates to the KFA Website via RSS!
Did You Know?
The Hobbs Endowment for Equality Scholarship Program encourages gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender undergraduate and graduate students at Morehead State University (MSU) to apply for the two scholarships made possible by generous contributions from many people. The objective of the scholarship program is to recognize and encourage academic excellence and to offer financial support to meritorious students pursuing a bachelor’s or advanced degree at MSU. Scholarship recipients are chosen by a competitive selection process, and will have clearly demonstrated strong skills in many areas, including academic scholarship, leadership involvement, and community service in their application. For more information, please visit their website.
The Ampersand symbolizes the solidarity we are building through Friends & Family, and suggests the inclusiveness we are working toward. It reflects the idea that no one individual, legislator, organization, or city can carry all the water for equality. Our success lies in our solidarity.
The Ampersand symbolizes the solidarity we are building through Friends & Family, and suggests the inclusiveness we are working toward. It reflects the idea that no one individual, legislator, organization, or city can carry all the water for equality. Our success lies in our solidarity. 
