KFA In Brief

Northern Kentucky to Recognize Pro-Fairness Businesses

KFA's Northern Kentucky Chapter has launched a Rainbow Sticker Campaign to identify pro-fairness merchants and restaurants in Covington. Focusing on the MainStrasse area, NKFA members will encourage businesses to display rainbow stickers in their windows to show they support LGBT patronage.

Two walks have been scheduled, targeting merchants and businesses in the MainStrasse area, urging them to display a rainbow flag decal in their windows next to their business entrances. The walks will take place on Saturday May 3, from 10 am - 12 noon and Saturday, May 24 from 2 pm - 4 pm.

To confirm your participation, please RSVP at least three days in advance of each walk by calling or e-mailing us.

The NKFA Public Relations Committee is taking the lead on the campaign. To find out more about how to get involved, or to request a sticker for your Northern Kentucky business, please call 859-814-1975, or e-mail info@nkfa.org.

CFAIR Endorses Primary Candidates

CFAIR, the political action committee for Louisville's Fairness Campaign, has endorsed local candidates for the May primary. In contested races, the candidates endorsed include:

• Shelley Santry, District Court Div. 16
   
• George Unseld, Metro Council #6
   
• Rick Blackwell Metro Council #12
   
• Kungu Njuguna Metro Council #18

The Committee for Fairness and Individual Rights works to identify and support candidates who support equality for all citizens of Kentucky. CFAIR interviews and endorses candidates in local and state electoral races.

Murray State Board of Regents Approves Non-Discrimination

The Board of Regents at Murray State University voted in February to include gay, lesbian, and bisexual employees in its official non-discrimination policy.

The vote followed work by the MSU Alliance student organization, the Faculty Senate, the Staff Congress, and the Student Government Association in support of the change.

The Board of Regents vote brings Murray's policy into line with all the other public universities in Kentucky, which together employ more than 25,000 people.

KFA Board of Directors Chair and MSU employee Jody Cofer called the vote, "an important signal that Murray State truly is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution."

KFA extends our congratulations and thanks to all the brave community leaders who have contributed to this victory.

Paducah MCC to Host "Superstars" Pride Festival

Metropolitan Community Church of Paducah (MCC) is hosting a Western Kentucky GLBT Pride Fest in Paducah. This event will be on Sunday, June 8, from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, and everyone is invited! The Pride Fest will feature musicians Justin Ryan and MCC's house band "WhoSoEver," and for the sports fans, we will host a "Superstars" team competition. It is not too late to join our efforts and sponsor an event, or at least set up a vending or information table. Please join us! For more information, go to www.mccpaducah.org.

With a focus on outreach to the GLBT community, MCC of Paducah carries the messages of God’s enduring love for ALL people. Along with other MCC's nationwide, in the months ahead we will be rolling out a campaign to end discrimination and homophobia, titled "Would Jesus Discriminate?" We would love to have other groups join us in this effort. For more information about this campaign, go to www.mccpaducah.org or to www.jesus.com.

MSU Alliance Hosts KFA Fundraiser

Members of the Murray State University Alliance transformed Murray State's Curris Center ballroom into a drag theater on April 7. The alcohol-free event featured excellent entertainment, fairness education, and fundraising opportunities in abundance.

With a regular cast lineup of local and regional favorites, such as Miss Annanecia Diamond, Kara Belle, and of course, KFA's own Jody Shalane (Cofer), MSU Alliance's biannual drag shows rank among the best in Western Kentucky. The shows often feature major stars like Josephyn Edwards, and most recently, The PunkPhunk Phairytale, The Princess. The gentlemen aren't left out at these events either; drag kings are always included.

As is their tradition, MSU Alliance chose a charity to support through the spring show. This spring's proceeds were donated to the Kentucky Fairness Alliance to continue its fight for fairness in the Commonwealth. The Saturday following the show, Jason Goodrum, President, Anthony Jones, Secretary, and Anna Garland, Staff Advisor, presented KFA Board Chair Jody Cofer with a check for $250.

"The members of Alliance felt that they wanted to do their part to help out KFA, when KFA has done so much for them," said show director Anthony Jones.

The Kentucky Fairness Alliance wishes to thank the students from Murray State, who planned, promoted, and attended a fabulous evening.

For more information, please contact Anthony Jones.