Kentucky Fairness Alliance E-News, Fall 2008

2009 Legislative Session Around the Corner

Our mission at KFA is to improve the quality of life for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Kentuckians. This session we will focus on two bills that do exactly that.

We will again work to gain co-sponsors for the statewide fairness bill, prefiled in the House by Rep. Mary Lou Marzian. Thank you Rep. Marzian! We are working on increasing the record number of 13 legislative sponsors obtained in 2006. Less than 10% of Kentucky's legislators are willing to promote fairness for Kentucky's GLBT citizens. So please help us! Talk to your legislators. (Read more)

2008 Election Overview: Yes we can!

The Obama/Biden administration holds the promise of sweeping policy change on GLBT civil rights issues. We look forward to working with our allies in Washington to strengthen hate crimes laws, pass the employment non-discrimination act (ENDA) and bring an end to Don't Ask Don't Tell. Change being promised, we expect to see out GLBT professionals appointed to high level positions in the new administration. Check out Chuck Wolfe's address to the Obama-Biden transition team. (Read more)

From the Director's Desk

The ball's in our court

Christina Gilgor, Executive Director

Knowing the sometimes harsh emotional, social, familial, and economic realities of coming out, I have cringed to hear it said that gay people who aren't fully “out” are somehow partially responsible for the discrimination used against them. While I appreciate this position from a theoretical perspective, I also appreciate the very personal, heart-wrenching quandaries being out presents. The coming out process is intensely personal and should be on each individual’s own terms. 

That said, the past three years, being immersed in all things civil rights related, I am more convinced than ever that gay Kentuckians will have full civil rights not when we persuade straight people we are worthy, rather when we ourselves are convinced we are worthy of the dignity and civil rights afforded every other Kentucky citizen AND are willing to act on that belief. (Read more)

Gay Businessman Appointed Chair of Commission on Human Rights

Reinforcing his campaign promise to work for all Kentuckians, Governor Steve Beshear appointed openly gay businessman George Stinson as Chair of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. Stinson is the first out, gay Kentuckian to serve on the Commission.

This appointment signals a willingness from the administration to deal with GLBT issues as the serious civil rights issues they are. (Read more)

Community Calendar!

Responding to your requests, we have adopted a community calendar!  (Read more)

Paducah Human Rights Commission Endorses Fairness

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. (Read more)

Fourth Annual Out & About Gala

Democracy and Diversity: Better Together!

Leaders of Kentucky’s GLBT community and prominent supporters of equal civil rights for Kentucky’s GLBT citizens came together November 7th to celebrate Democracy and Diversity at KFA’s Fourth Annual Out & About Gala. In the wake of the most historic election in recent history, people came from all corners of the state to celebrate our successes and look forward to the promise a new administration. (Read more)

Give Fairness this Season

Most of the decisions that directly affect our lives are made at the state and local level. Kentucky Fairness Alliance is working to meet the challenges that lie ahead for us, but we need your help! (Read more)

Board of Directors Report

Jody Cofer, Chair

National Organizations Invest in Kentucky Leaders

Since the 1960s, Kentucky has been a leader across the South in the fairness fight. We were the first state in the South to enact legislation to enforce civil rights violations. Today, Kentucky is still in the game and the stakes have never been higher for us to strengthen our efforts and serve as examples for others in the fair-minded fairness community to champion our cause.

We’re proud to share with you that several of our leaders are doing just that! KFA leaders are heading back to class with Harvard Business School Publishing. (Read more)

KFA IN BRIEF

NATIONAL ROUNDUP