Faith in Fairness Gives Voice to the Fair-minded

Fact: More than four out of five Americans say religion is important in their lives. And while there are exceptions, religion, for the most part, has not been a friend to our movement.

Here's a fine example. After Sen. Vernie McGaha, a Russell Springs Republican, filed the Healthcare Discrimination bill for 2008 (Senate Bill 112), he told the January 31 Louisville Courier-Journal, "I do not recognize domestic partnerships as being a correct thing," he said. "My Bible teaches against it."

To achieve this goal, we have established Religious Advisory Committee to direct our Faith in Fairness effort. Led by Rev. Dr. Albert Pennybacker, the committee seeks to build a network of congregations and faith leaders who advocate for justice on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Kentuckians.

Our first project, slated for Summer 2008, is a series of screenings of the award-winning documentary "For the Bible Tells Me So."

Before the 2008 session even began, a group of 21 mostly rural Democrats in the House of Representatives filed their own version of Healthcare Discrimination (House Bill 118). In response, we will organize "For the Bible Tells Me So" screenings in or near each of those 21 House districts.

Through this effort, KFA hopes to promote dialogue, combat religion-based bigotry, and engage fair-minded people of faith in Kentucky's rural communities. We believe we can build our list of contacts in the home districts of the 21 anti-fairness Democrats responsible for House Bill 118. We can identify faith leaders who will serve on the Religious Advisory Committee, and we can begin to create a unified voice of Faith in Fairness across the Commonwealth.

Please contact us for more information about the Religious Advisory Committee or the summer film screenings.