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Headlines
Governor Comments on KFA Board Member
August 19, 2010
Earlier this month in Baltimore, the Equality Federation elected Kentucky Fairness Alliance Board member Jody Cofer as Co-Chair of its Board of Directors. The Equality Federation (and Equality Federation Institute) is the national alliance of approximately 55 LGBT advocacy and education organizations working towards equality through a strong and sustainable state-based movement.
“Jody Cofer’s election to the leadership of a national civil rights organization is a well deserved recognition of his commitment to the principle of equality,” said Governor Steve Beshear.
KFA Recognized in State-Based LGBT Movement
August 9, 2010
Leading up to the annual gathering of state LGBT organizations this year, Equality Federation member organizations submitted nominations and voted for annual “Feddie” awards recognizing outstanding work taking place in the movement. This year, KFA brought home two of five awards joining Equality Maine and Equality Utah in being recognized during the closing brunch held on Sunday where Maryland State Delegate Ben Barnes addressed the group.
Read more about it here.
Walk for Fairness
August 2, 2010
Walk for Fairness on August 28 in an effort to make public the need for a local, Richmond Ordinance to protect the LGBT community from discrimination linked to sexual orientation or gender identity in housing, and in public accommodations, such as restaurants or stores.
11:00 a.m. (ET) Walk
Alumni Coliseum Lot
EKU Campus, Richmond
Raise $15 and you will receive a free Walk for Fairness t-shirt! Questions regarding this should be emailed to the KFA Gray Dove Chapter.
Pride in Our Progress
June 14, 2010
The Gallup Organization is perhaps the country's best known polling firm. Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs survey, conducted each May, documents a gradual increase in public acceptance of gay and lesbian relations since about 2006. Prior to that time, acceptance had been relatively stable at around 44%.
This May, for the first time ever, a majority of Americans (52%) say they find gay and lesbian relationships "morally acceptable". Interestingly, this increase in acceptance was driven by males, since a near majority of females had previously viewed our relationships as "moral".
Read more about Gallup's new survey results from our Pride in Our Progress communication here.
Pressure to Pass ENDA
May 23, 2010
Pressure is building to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). During this past week, KFA participated in the National Week of Action for ENDA and continues to encourage Kentuckians to educate others - including public policy makers - on the importance of workplace protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by sending Letters to the Editor to their hometown papers.
Media Coverage:
- The Courier Journal, Letter to the Editor, May 23, Nick Wilkerson
- The Murray Ledger and Times, Letter to the Editor, May 18, Joe Hedges
- The News-Enterprise, Letter to the Editor, May 24, Nick Wilkerson
- The Paducah Sun, Letter to the Edit, May 23, Jody Cofer
If you submitted a letter or op-ed piece and got it printed by your local newspaper, please let us know.
KY Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Fairness
April 22, 2010
The Supreme Court of Kentucky issued their ruling today in University of the Cumberlands v. Rev. Penneybacker, et al. the appellate case following Rev. Penneybacker, et al v. Steven L. Beshear (formerly Ernie L. Fletcher) in his official capacity as Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
“The Supreme Court’s decision today reaffirms what Ret. Franklin Circuit Judge Crittenden stated in 2008 when he ruled against state-subsidized discrimination,” said Travis Myles, KFA Board Chairperson. “Kentucky taxpayers aren’t expected to fund private, religion-based institutions. This is a timely and important victory for Kentucky benefiting our state’s commitment to excellence in public education and the struggle for inclusive public policy for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Finally, we want to thank David Tachau for representing our interests so passionately and professionally throughout the duration of this case.”
Media Coverage:
State of the States Report - 2009
April 17, 2010
Each year, the Equality Federation produces a national on the state of the LGBT movement within the states. It is a critical resources to statewide LGBT organizations like Kentucky Fairness Alliance in making plans for the future in comparison to work and growth our sister organizations are seeing. KFA is a member of the Equality Federation.
Check it out here!
Presidential Memorandum on Designated Hospital Visitation
April 15, 2010
This afternoon President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop policies for all hospitals receiving Medicare or Medicaid funding to allow patients to receive visitors and designate surrogate decision makers for medical emergencies.
"This is significant progress for the LGBT community," said Travis Myles, KFA Board Chairperson. "KFA has advocated for designated hospital visitation legislation here in Kentucky for several years. It passed our House of Representatives again this year with bipartisan support yet received no consideration in the Senate. We are thankful for President Obama for taking this step for our community today and not waiting any longer."
Western Kentucky University Approves Partner Benefits
April 2, 2010
At a suprise meeting of the University's Benefits Committee, offering same and opposite sex partner benefits was approved. This follows a failed attempt at passage recently. President Ransdell approved the measure following the vote and individuals may start receiving benefits effective January 1, 2011.
KFA congratulates all involved, including the Benefits Committee and President Ransdell, in this step towards fairness at Western!
Community Challenge to Support Fairness
February 15, 2010
On Monday, leaders of the fairness community, including KFA Board Chairperson Travis Myles, called upon the community to support the Statewide Fairness Bill. Read their Op-Ed in The Courier-Journal.
KFA Religious Advisor Speaks Faith To Fairness
February 4, 2010
The Catholic Archbishop of Louisville has been heard from quite frequently on his staunch opposition to recognizing relationships of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Kentuckians. It seems to have become the Archbishop's task as of late to draw attention to his position. In response, the following OpEd, which ran in Tuesday's Courier-Journal, was penned by Rev. Albert Pennybacker of Lexington to shed light on another religious perspective:
"With the current court challenge to California's Proposition 8 forbidding same-sex marriages, religious views are again surfacing. Some are blessed with insight, some with only clamor, bias and stridency. It is critical that religion's positive voice be heard.
"Why? It appears that the California case could be headed to the United States Supreme Court. A definitive federal judgment upholding the legality of same-sex marriage would result in striking down state prohibitions including here in Kentucky. Now is the time to sort out what we really believe."
Read the rest here.
KY Supreme Court Reverses Appellate Ruling in Custody Case
January 22, 2010
Ruling in a custody case between two women, Arminta Jane Mullins and Phyllis Dianne Picklesimer, the Supreme Court of Kentucky reversed a lower court's ruling and granted joint custody to Mullins. It stated Mullins, while not being the biological mother of the child, did serve as a "de facto parent." The couple had the child in 2005, later filed joint custody, only to split up in 2006.
Read more about this from the Associated Press, via the Herald-Leader here.
State Equality Fund Awards KY Grant
January 18, 2010
The Tides Foundation’s State Equality Fund, a philanthropic partnership that includes the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, the Gill Foundation, and anonymous donors, has awarded the Kentucky Statewide Fairness Coalition $30,000 to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality. The Fund is programmatically staffed on behalf of the donors by the Gill Foundation’s Movement Building Center.
The Kentucky Statewide Fairness Coalition consists of the following organizations: Kentucky Commission on Human Rights; Fairness Campaign; Lexington Fairness; Kentucky Fairness Alliance Foundation; and the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky Foundation.
Read the media release here.
"Straightlaced" Showing Big Success
January 14, 2010
The January 9 showing of Groundspark's "Straightlaced" in Lexington was a huge success! Read about the showing here.
Top 10 Stories of 2009
January 1, 2010
The Time Tribune in Corbin, KY included Kentucky Fairness Alliance in their Top 10 Stories of 2009 for our pending legal case before the Supreme Court of Kentucky. The case involves state funding being allocated to the University of the Cumberlands, a private, religion-based institution. See the story here.
10 Year Nat'l. Snapshop of LGBT Fairness
December 17, 2009
The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) and the Haas, Jr. Fund have completed a great report showing the progress made nationally the past 10 years for LGBT fairness. Read it here.
“Kentucky Fairness Alliance is a key member of our national network of state advocacy groups who are critical leaders in the movement for fairness across this country," said Travis Myles, KFA Board Chairperson. "This report shows that we must continue to invest in state and local work to bring about significant change for our community. We hope this report encourages fair-minded Kentuckians to continue the good work across the Commonwealth.
Out & About: A Success!
November 15, 2009
The KFA Board of Directors wants to thank everyone that attended and/or supported this year's Out & About gala held last night in Elizabethtown. Your continued support is very much appreciated as we plan for a busy 2010. Photos from the event are coming soon.
Read the E-Town News Enterprise's story on Out & About!
Inclusive Hate Crimes Legislation
October 23, 2009
Today, the U.S. Senate passed inclusive hate crimes legislation marking a historic day in our nation’s struggle for fairness in public policy and practice.
“The passage of an inclusive hate crimes bill by the U.S. Congress is a great step for fairness across our country. President Obama should move quickly to sign this historic legislation and make it the law of the land,” said Jody Cofer, Kentucky Fairness Alliance Board member. “While Kentucky hate crimes law references orientation, a portion of the LGBT community is passed over. This federal legislation brings our transgender brothers and sisters into the tent. Sadly, prejudices still sometimes lead to awful criminal acts - it’s time for federal statute to acknowledge and curb that.
HUD to Ensure Fairness in Federal Housing Matters
October 22, 2009
According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Wednesday, HUD is working to ensure fairness on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
"The evidence is clear that some are denied the opportunity to make housing choices in our nation based on who they are and that must end," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "President Obama and I are determined that a qualified individual and family will not be denied housing choice based on sexual orientation or gender identity."
The proposed changes to HUD rules will include, among other things, 1) clarify the term "family" and 2) ensure that any FHA-insured mortgage loans be based on credit-related factors on not linked to orientation or gender identity.
2009 Statewide Fairness Awards
October 14, 2009
Kentucky Fairness Alliance has selected the 2009 fairness award recipients to be presented at the annual statewide fairness gala, Out & About.
David Tachau
"Amper&and" Award
Kentucky Commission on Human Rights
Community Service Award
Find out more information here.
Fair-Minded Organizations Join KFA to Urge KY's Congressional Delegation on ENDA
September 11, 2009
Kentucky Fairness Alliance (KFA) and seventeen other fair-minded organizations released a letter to members of Kentucky’s Congressional delegation urging the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
View the letter here.
The Labor & Education Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to hear ENDA on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Stay tuned for more information.
Kentucky Hate Crimes
July 22, 2009
The Kentucky Statistical Analysis Center released today their 2007 Hate Crimes Report. It found that sexual orientation was the 2nd highest category for such activities in our state. Read the report here.
NEA Supports LGBT Fairness
July 13, 2009
Last week, the National Education Association (NEA) passed a resolution through their General Assembly opposing discrimination of same-sex couples and supporting "obtaining, preserving, and strengthening basic civil and human rights under law."
Further, the resolution states, "NEA will support its affiliates seeking to enact state legislation that guarantees to same-sex couples the right to enter into a legally recognized relationship pursuant to which they have the same rights and benefits as similarly-situated heterosexual couples, including, without limitation, rights and benefits with regard to medical decisions, taxes, inheritance, adoption, and immigration."
KFA applauds NEA's leadership on these issues in the education community and we call on Kentucky's educators to do see same (read here).
KY Commission Hosts Public Hearing
June 9, 2009
On June 17 , the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights (KCHR) will host the first ever educational program by a Kentucky government agency on sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination. This public hearing will be held in Richmond where local efforts are underway to pass Kentucky’s fourth local fairness ordinance. Ordinances are already on the books in Lexington/Fayette County, Louisville/Jefferson County, and the City of Covington.
A Fair Future For Kentucky:
A Call For An End To Discrimination
on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
June 17, 2009 – 6:00 p.m. (EST)
City Hall Commission Chamber - Richmond, KY
The KCHR is conducting a series of advocacy hearings across the state. Each hearing focuses on a particular group that is protected under the Kentucky Civil Rights Act. While the Act has not yet been amended to include protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, KCHR unanimously endorsed the passage of a statewide fairness law through formal resolution last year.
The hearing will include invited panelists/speakers Jody Cofer of Murray, Jennifer Crossen of Lexington, Rev. Don Smith of Covington, and Carla Wallace of Louisville. The program will also include brief remarks by KCHR Executive Director John Johnson.
The program will be filmed and broadcast on local access television in Richmond.
Please make plans to join us and other fair-minded Kentuckians for this historic program.
Support the Reuniting Families Act
June 1, 2009
This month, U.S. Congressman Mike Honda will introduce The Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 6938), a landmark immigration bill that ends harmful practices - such as long visa wait times and discrimination against LGBT families - that prevent loving families from being together.
In an historic move, Congressman Honda has included lesbian and gay people as part of this remarkable legislation . . . marking the first time in Congressional history that lesbian and gay couples have been included as part of a multi-issue immigration bill.
Urge your Kentucky Congressman to co-sponsor this legislation.
Act Now to Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell
March 9, 2009
Last week, Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) introduced legislation to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and ensure that all qualified Americans can serve openly in the military regardless of sexual orientation. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act will replace the current law with new provisions prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Help make sure the Military Readiness Enhancement Act passes through Congress and reaches the President's desk. Write to your representative now and ask him or her to co-sponsor it by clicking here!
UPDATE: Congressman John Yarmuth has signed on as a co-sponsor of repealing DADT. KFA sends a big thank you to the Congressman for thinking about fairness! |
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. 
