KFA In Brief

EKU Students Rally for Domestic Partner Benefits

Students at Eastern Kentucky University staged a rally in November, encouraging the campus community to support fair healthcare. The rally's principal organizers were students of Jerry Thomas, a leader in KFA's Gray Dove Chapter.

KFA Executive Director Christina Gilgor addressed the crowd of about 100 students, faculty, and community members - including representatives of the Gray Dove Chapter. "Fairness for all is not a radical idea. It is a mainstream Kentucky value," she said. "The difference between you and most Kentuckians is that you're willing to speak up."

EKU President Doug Whitlock told the Lexington Herald-Leader that a benefits committee is set to give a recommendation on the issue in the coming spring. "I've always been a believer and practitioner in fundamental fairness, and there's an element of that in this issue," Whitlock said. "If it appears to be right for EKU faculty and staff, I'm going to be for it."

Whitlock said he has not yet discussed fair healthcare with EKU's Board of Regents.

Ashland House Party Raises Funds, Awareness

By David Kuxhaus, KFA Board of Directors

My house party, following the third-quarter KFA board meeting in Ashland, was attended by approximately 25 people: members of the Board of KFA and members of the GLBT community, including Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer. We had a terrific time. Elite Catering provided excellent food, and guests engaged in numerous conversations regarding the work of KFA and how we can better our visibility in Eastern Kentucky as well as other areas of the Commonwealth.

We were able to raise $250.00 for KFA and everyone attending was grateful to have the opportunity to meet the leaders of our organization as well as socialize with like-minded individuals.
 
During the evening I spoke about the movie For The Bible Tells Me So. I was fortunate to see it in Detroit during the Michigan Reel Pride Festival in October and felt very strongly that it is something we need to promote in Kentucky when it becomes available. 

Working with the Village Apex theaters, where the movie is now showing, we've been getting the word out about the movie and encouraging everyone who can to see it. A portion of the film's proceeds for this week will benefit the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, so get out there and see this movie!

KFA & MSU Alliance Leaders Represent Fairness at Fancy Farm

By Anthony Jones, Secretary, Murray State University Alliance

Earlier this fall, members of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, led by KFA Board Chairperson Jody Cofer, joined together with Murray State University Alliance, led by Alliance Secretary Anthony Jones, in representing the fair-minded community at the 127th Annual Fancy Farm Picnic.

The Fancy Farm picnic is one of the largest political showcases in Kentucky, with attendance often exceeding 12,000 people. This year, the picnic provided an opportunity for guests to hear speeches from many prominent figures, including now Governor Steve Beshear.
 
Having a strong fairness presence at this event was vital, especially this year. Members of the crowd heckled several candidates with anti-gay insults and slurs. Unfortunately, other attendees cheered the hecklers on.

KFA Family member Clay Cox of Hardin said of his experience, "I hadn’t been to Fancy Farm in several years and was taken back by the gay bashing slurs. Really, are we not ready to move past all that?"

The delegation met several friends and allies in the crowd, including Rep. Mary Lou Marzian (D-Louisville). The gathering provided KFA and MSU Alliance with an excellent opportunity to represent fairness to a large number of people who otherwise might not ever see us.
 
The Fancy Farm picnic is held on the first Saturday in August of every year. Fancy Farm, KY is located approximately 10 miles west of Mayfield in Graves County. If you would like to join the fairness delegation in August 2008, or would like more information, contact the Kentucky Fairness Alliance or Anthony Jones with the MSU Alliance.

Support the KFA Foundation Simply by Searching

The Kentucky Fairness Alliance Foundation has proudly partnered with GoodSearch.com, a Yahoo-powered online search engine that donates a portion of its advertising revenues to charity.

Just go to GoodSearch.com and use it as you would any other search engine. The KFA Foundation earns approximatley $.01 for every search. Use it for all your online searching needs and watch our collective contributions add up!

You can also do your web-based shopping using the GoodShop.com online mall. Choose from hundreds of stores, like Target and Best Buy, and donate up to 37% of your purchases to the KFA Foundation.

Murray House Party Bolsters West Kentucky Outreach

On August 20, supporters gathered in Western Kentucky to "Keep Fairness Cool This Fall" at the home of Jody Cofer. House parties have always been an important part of grass roots organizing and that still holds true today. The evening provided for friends and family to gather, discuss fairness issues, and reaffirm commitment towards a more fair-minded Kentucky.

"Events like the house party in August are especially important to people like me and my partner, Chase, living in a rural area of Kentucky,"  said Jason Goodrum, President of the Murray State University Alliance and friend of KFA. "There are many times when I have felt like people such as us are not remembered in the progressive work being done in our state’s urban areas."

House parties are easy to plan and can be fun to host. KFA has materials available to assist individuals interested in organizing a gathering in their own home to further education efforts on fairness issues and raise visibility, increasing capacity, of the statewide movement. KFA leaders are available and glad to assist with the coordination of these events.