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During the 2010 General Assembly, KFA has again contracted the services of Wes Wright to lead our efforts on the ground in Frankfort. We need the support and participation of Kentuckians from across the Commonwealth. If you have thoughts, questions, or ideas regarding fairness in the 2010 General Assembly, please do not hesitate in sharing.
SUPPORT
Statewide Fairness Bill (House: HB 117 Senate: SB 138)
Sponsors: Rep. Mary Lou Marzian (primary), Sen. Kathy Stein (primary), Rep. Tom Burch, Rep. Kelly Flood, Sen. Harper-Angel, Rep. Joni Jenkins, Rep. Reginald Meeks, Sen. Gerald Neal, Rep. Darryl Owens, Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo, Sen. Tim Shaughnessy, Rep. Arnold Simpson, Rep. Jim Wayne, and Rep. Susan Westrom (Tell Your House Member They Should Co-Sponsor!)
Fact Sheet/Talking Points
This bill would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity throughout Kentucky in employment, housing, public accommodations, insurance coverage, and credit. The House bil also includes sexual orientation and gender idenity provisions in the powers of state and local human rights commissions. Right now only residents of Metro Louisville, Lexington/Fayette County, and Covington are protected by city ordinance against discrimination. No one should be fired from a job, denied an apartment, turned away by a restaurant, or refused credit simply because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
Currently: Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. Assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Hospital Visitation Bill (House: HB 118)
Sponsors: Rep. Mary Lou Marzian (primary), Rep. Kelly Flood, Rep. Joni Jenkins, Rep. Darryl Owens, Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo, Rep. Arnold Simpson, and Rep. Susan Westrom
Fact Sheet/Talking Points
This initiative would allow any adult hospital patient to designate another individual to be treated as a member of the patient's family with regard to visitation.
Currently: Unanimously passed the House (99-0) on Jan. 27. Received in the Senate on Jan. 28 and assigned to Judiciary on Feb. 2.
Dual Parent Adoption Bill (House: HB 195)
Sponsors: Rep. Tom Burch (primary), Rep. Kelly Flood, and Rep. Jim Wayne
This bill would allow for same-sex couples to adopt children together by defining stepparent in such a way as to be supportive.
Currently: Posted in the House Health and Welfare Committee. Heard in Committee (no vote) on Feb. 11.
Dating Violence Bill (House: HB 30 Senate: SB 109)
Sponsors: Rep. Joni Jenkins (primary), Sen. Denise Harper-Angel (primary), Rep. Will Coursey, Rep. Ron Crimm, Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, Rep. Darryl Owens, Rep. Jody Richards, Rep. Tom Riner, Sen. Kathy Stein, Rep. Wilson Stone, Rep. Susan Westrom, and Rep. Brent Yonts
This bill would expand domestic violence statutes to allow "unmarried couples" (dating partners) to obtain protective orders.
Currently: Assigned to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Posted on the House Committee agenda for consideration on Feb. 3.
Fair Adoption Bill (House: HB 195)
Sponsor: Rep. Tom Burch
This bill would allow a non-relative adult who has the permission of the legal parent of a child to petition for adoption.
Currently: Posted for consideration by the House Health & Welfare Committee.
Fair Marriage Bill (House: HB 17)
Sponsor: Rep. Mary Lou Marzian
This bill would repeal the 2004 anti-marriage amendment by returning the issue to Kentucky voters.
Currently: Assigned to Elections, Constitutional Amendments, & Intergovernmental Affairs
OPPOSE
Entitlement to Discriminate Bill (House: HB 440)
Sponsors: Rep. Tim Moore (primary) and Rep. Mike Harmon
This bill would effectively nullify our Fairness ordinances in Louisville, Lexington, and Covington, and our state civil rights laws by allowing discrimination as long as a person or organization claims their action is based on “sincere religious belief.” HB 440 calls for a yet another divisive constitutional amendment, that, if passed, would declare “open season” on sexual, racial, ethnic, and other minorities.
Currently: Assigned to the Elections, Constitutional Amendments, & Intergovernmental Affairs
Divisive Child Welfare Bill (Not Pre-Filed)
Fact Sheet/Talking Points
Kentucky kids should not be caught in the crossfire of anti-gay attacks. This initiative means that being without a family is better for a child than being raised by a gay couple. There isn’t an informed, sincere debate to be had over whether gay people can be good parents – the only debate is whether to put bias and politics before the well being of innocent children.During the 2009 General Assembly, this initiative was known as Senate Bill (SB) 68.
Resources:
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Medical Association
American Psychological Association
Child Welfare League of America
National Association of Social Workers
UCLA's Williams Institute Cost Study
See the results of the 2009 legislative session (please note some links this page may no longer work). See the results of the 2008 legislative session (please note some links this page may no longer work). See the results of the 2007 legislative session (please note some links this page may no longer work). |
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.
