One-Click Advocacy Comes into its Own

So far, 2008 has already brough KFA supporters a wealth of diverse opportunities to speak out online for a fair Kentucky. Through local and state-level online petitions, Kentucky's fair-minded majority has made itself heard in record numbers.

Statewide Support for Local Initiatives

Ohio County

Students at Ohio County High School are working to encourage inclusion and tolerance through their brand-new Gay Straight Alliance. However, they have come up against resistance, even an inexcusable threat of gun violence, since the GSA put up its bulletin board in a school hallway.

Earlier this month, some members of the community staged a prayer vigil, protesting the students' right to meet on school grounds. Kentucky's fair-minded majority has the opportunity to support the students via KFA's online community. Hundreds of Kentuckians have signed this petition, assuring the members of Ohio County High School's GSA that they are not alone, and commending their bravery and compassion for their classmates.

Madison County

The Kentucky Fairness Alliance's Gray Dove chapter has worked tirelessly to advance a local Fairness Ordinance that would protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Richmond. The ordinance seeks to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Gray Dove's efforts embody KFA's mission to build a fair Kentucky from the ground up.

Since November, fair-minded Kentuckians from all over the state have been joining in that local effort by signing a petition of solidarity with the Gray Dove chapter. Hundreds of our allies have spoken out in support of a fair Richmond, lending support and encouragement to chapter members as they continue to advance their cause.

Giving Credit where Credit is Due

Fair-minded Kentuckians also participated in two online actions generating thank-you notes to a pair of Frankfort's fairness champions: Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, and Sen. Denise Harper Angel, both of Louisville.

Rep. Marzian made fairness history when she pre-filed House Bill 33, the Hospital Visitation bill back in November 2007. HB 33 seeks to allow adult hospital patients to designate another individual to be treated as a member of the patient's family with regard to visitation. Her action marked the first time a piece of pro-fairness legislation has been pre-filed before a General Assembly session.

A longtime fairness ally, Rep. Marzian has also been a co-sponsor of the Statewide Fairness bill for many years (House Bill 274 in 2008). She has supported the Kentucky Fairness Alliance as an honored guest at the annual Out & About gala, and served as a featured speaker for Kentuckians Value Fairness.

Sen. Harper Angel also achieved an all-time first with her introduction of a Hospital Visitation bill in the Senate (Senate Bill 121).

Still serving her first term in the Kentucky Senate, Sen. Harper Angel has emerged as a reliable voice for fairness. She is a regular sponsor of the Statewide Fairness bill (Senate Bill 55 in 2008), which seeks to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Kentucky Fairness Alliance believes strongly in showing our appreciation to the leaders in Frankfort who represent Kentucky's fair-minded majority with conviction and integrity. The Commonwealth is fortunate to have such leaders in both chambers of our legislature.

1-10-10 To Stop Healthcare Discrimination

Following the passage of Senate Bill 112, KFA launched the 1-10-10 Project to stop healthcare discrimination. Through a series of action alert emails, members got the chance to take three important steps to shore up opposition to that misguided and divisive policy:

1: Add 1 signature to the petition

10: Invite 10 friends to sign the petition too

10: Contribute $10 to support our lobbying

The 1-10-10 Project smashed all previous records for participating in a petition, spreading the word to friends and family, and contributing to an online campaign. KFA extends our congratulations and thanks to all our supporters who took part in this history-making success.

Since 2005 the Kentucky Fairness Alliance online community has provided dozens of opportunities for members to speak out to a variety of audiences. To date, thousands of us have taken the message of fairness to our Representatives and Senators at the state and federal level, the former governor, municipal elected officials, even trustees and presidents of major universities.

The voice of fairness is growing, louder and stronger, all the time.