Kentuckians Value Fairness

Dear friend,

The Paducah Human Rights Commission (PHRC) has joined the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights (KCHR) in celebrating Governor Beshear’s Executive Order expanding employment protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity for employees of the Commonwealth. 

 

In June, the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights passed a historic resolution in support of a statewide fairness bill that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

On November 10, KFA Board of Directors Chairperson Jody Cofer was introduced by Commissioner Mary Thorsby, Paducah entrepreneur, to address the Paducah Commission.  He spoke in favor of the resolution’s passage and the importance of celebrating the commitment to fairness by Gov. Beshear in order to continue seeing fair-minded victories.

The proclamation passed by a unanimous vote of the Commission.  The PHRC forwarded their Resolution to Gov. Beshear, the KCHR, and to Paducah Mayor Paxton and City Commissioners.

“We salute Governor Beshear and will continue to follow his lead in ensuring all citizens are protected equally and fairly when it comes to opportunities for state employment,” said PHRC Chairperson Andrew Coiner and Paducah attorney.  “Discrimination is discrimination.  The Paducah Human Rights Commission is committed to protecting the rights of everyone in our community from discrimination.”   

KFA extends our thanks to the fair-minded community leaders on the Paducah Human Rights Commission. 

 

Unfortunately, the Kentucky General Assembly has never supported legislation protecting the state workforce from discrimination.  It is now time to codify the Governor's Executive Order in Kentucky law, and make sure that future generations of employees are protected from workplace discrimination.

 

We ask you to take this opportunity to call on state legislators who have previously filed the statewide fairness bill to do so again!  Join us in asking Representatives Marzian, Burch, Meeks, Palumbo, and Westrom as well as Senators Harper Angel, Neal, Shaughnessy, and Stein to pre-file this bill as soon as possible.  The precedent set by pre-filing this bill is positive momentum.  The fair-minded community will be working during the 2009 session to educate more lawmakers on the importance of joining Gov. Beshear, the legislators listed above, the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, and now the Paducah Commission on Human Rights in saying “Fairness is a Kentucky Value.” 

 

In fairness,

Your KFA Team!

 

 

The Paducah Human Rights Commission, formed on May 26, 1965, consists of nine representative citizens appointed by the Mayor and City Commissioners to serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor, City Commission, and other City departments in matters affecting human rights.

Ampersand. 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.



Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Fairness Bill Sponsors

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: I Support Fairness

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I'm writing to urge you to prefile the Statewide Fairness bill.

Like the majority of Kentuckians, I believe we should treat our neighbors with fairness and respect.

Fairness is a national, bi-partisan value. Twenty states have enacted fairness laws, the first of which was signed by a Republican governor 25 years ago in Wisconsin.

Writing basic fairness into law is the right thing to do. Sponsoring this bill, and urging your colleagues to support it makes you a champion for a value that Kentuckians believe in: fairness for all people.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
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What's At Stake:

Summary

The Statewide Fairness bill would protect all residents of Kentucky against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, insurance coverge, and credit.

Outside Lexington, Louisville, or Covington, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender person can get fired, denied rental or sale of housing, denied a loan, or turned away from a restaurant based on who they are - with no path for recourse under state or federal law.

A gay man shouldn't lose his job simply because of his sexual orientation. A lesbian shouldn't lose her home as a result of anti-gay bias. A transgender person shouldn't be turned away from a restaurant due to gender identity or expression.

Talking Points

  • Polls have shown that 74% of Kentucky voters support a statewide law to prohibit this kind of discrimination (Decision Research, 1999).
     
  • Nationally, 90% of Americans said in a 2005 Gallup poll that they support equal opportunities for gays and lesbians in the workplace (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).
     
  • Fairness laws currently exist in 20 states plus the District of Columbia (National Gay and Lesbian Task Force).
     
  • In Kentucky, the communities of Covington, Louisville, and Lexington have passed local fairness ordinances.
     
  • People of faith support non-discrimination laws, saying "all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation, should be treated equally in the workplace. As people of faith we believe that all employees should be judged by the quality of their work, not their personal characteristics" (The Interfaith Alliance).
     
  • Business leaders support non-discrimination laws as a way to encourage a diverse and talented workforce.
  • Fairness laws protect all people. Everyone has a sexual orientation and a way of expressing gender. Since bigotry is often about perception, even people who identify as straight will be protected from anti-gay bias.


Campaign Expiration Date:
June 1, 2009