Kentucky Fairness Alliance E-News, Fall 2008

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.

The festivities were made possible, in large part, by the generosity of Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson who donated the venue, the fabulous and first of it’s kind, 21c Museum Hotel. The quintessential Louisville power couple, in addition to burning up the dance floor, received KFA’s Community Service award recognizing their extraordinary commitment to serving the GLBT community.

Kentucky’s 3rd district Congressman, John Yarmuth, was among the distinguished attendees and he accepted KFA’s Ampersand Award for Inclusiveness on behalf of Governor Steve Beshear. On June 2nd Gov. Beshear signed an executive order re-instating job discrimination protections for GLBT state employees. KFA is proud to be able to recognize the Governor for his leadership toward a fair Kentucky.

Also attending this year’s gala was the newly appointed Chair of the Kentucky Human Rights Commission, George Stinson. His appointment is wonderful news for Kentucky’s fair minded majority. KFA is delighted to have the support of Mr. Stinson and we look forward to working with him in the future.

We were especially honored to present the 2008 Jason Johnson Scholarship award to Betsy Hopkins of Lexington. Betsy holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Kentucky and is currently pursuing a Gender and Women’s Studies Certificate. The Jason Johnson Scholarship is named after a student that was expelled from the University of the Cumberlands because he is gay. KFA reached out to Jason and continues to reach out to the future leaders of the GLBT movement in Kentucky.

The GLBT community of Kentucky and, in fact, the entire country have a lot to celebrate and be excited about. KFA’s Fourth Annual Out & About Gala was the perfect avenue to bring Kentucky’s civil rights leaders together. We are grateful for the support we received and look forward to Out & About 2009.