Headlines

A Challenge

September 19, 2008

The last two weeks have been tough for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Kentuckians. The murder of an African American transgender woman in Louisville was practically ignored by the media, a group of white males perceived to be gay were harassed in a McDonald’s restaurant, and an appellate court delivered a ruling prohibiting second parent adoption for unmarried couples. Notice, that pretty well covers all of us in the “LGBT” community.

Discrimination against gay Kentuckians crosses lines of sex, race and class - good reason for us to move beyond those issues ourselves.

In the three years I have led this organization, the leading organization advocating for statewide legislation for gay Kentuckians, I have watched and listened as individuals in our community offer every reason under the sun for why they can’t be part of a unified effort. They’re not political. They’re busy with their lives. They don’t like me. They don’t like a KFA Board member. They don’t like that we work with this or that group on a particular project. KFA uses the wrong model. Not everybody knows they’re gay.

All fair enough. But then don’t expect anything to change. Until we can get past ourselves and our differences and look at the big picture, gay Kentuckians will remain second-class citizens.

For those who are not happy with the status quo, who might legitimately use some or all of the reasons above for not getting involved but who know that those things are not static - as being gay is, what can we do?

We can propose legislation to include transgender Kentuckians in our Hate Crimes law. We can propose legislation to give legal recourse to gay individuals who are harassed. We can propose legislation to allow all parents to adopt their children.

But then there’s getting that legislation passed, which is a whole different ballgame. Why? Because it takes more than one person or a handful of people to make it happen. It takes gay people talking to their friends, family, neighbors, employers, employees and legislators about their lives – and insisting on the civil rights and dignity afforded all Kentucky citizens.

If any one thing stands out in my mind about the experience of the last three years, it is the astounding lack of confidence we have in ourselves as a community. Too often we are content to let someone else take responsibility in Frankfort. Change requires investment and tenacity, not relinquishment. One of my favorite organizational tag lines is from the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which claims “the audacity to fight, the perseverance to win.”

The day I realized and internalized the fact that there were 417,000+ Kentucky voters willing to say NO to discrimination in 2004, I knew we could change our future. The operative word is we. Each of us is (hopefully) one of those 417,000 voters (and if you’re not, you can stand in for one!). Even a small percentage of those voters could create significant change in Frankfort in a very short period of time. This is not wishful thinking. It is doable.

Borrowing from a famous politician, I’m asking you to believe in KFA, yes. But mostly I’m asking you to believe in yourselves. KFA is nothing is it is not all of us.

Go team!!

Christina Gilgor, Executive Director

Kentucky Fairness Alliance Attends Equality Federation Meeting of State LGBT Leaders

August 13, 2008

Jody Cofer, Christina Gilgor, and Travis Myles of Kentucky Fairness Alliance (KFA) returned on Monday from the annual Summer Meeting of Equality Federation, the national alliance of state-based equality organizations.  Meeting participants included 120 leaders of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights movement from 34 state organizations and 21 allied groups.  Hosted this year by Federation member organization Equality Ohio, the Summer Meeting is the largest gathering of leadership in the lgbt movement.  KFA has been a member of the Federation since its inception in 1997.

“Equality Federation is the only national organization founded specifically to support the work of organizations like Kentucky Fairness Alliance,” said Christina Gilgor, KFA executive director. “The annual meeting of state leaders from across the country allows those of us working in the states to share our strategies and to plug in to a larger national strategy focused on achieving state victories.”

“State organizing and advocacy work is critical to our movement’s ability to achieve full civil rights for lgbt Americans,” said Federation executive director Toni Broaddus.  “Our state leaders founded Equality Federation to ensure that our state organizations have the resources necessary to do their work, and our annual Summer Meeting is the place that we gather to learn from each other, to plan our strategies for success, and to build a national agenda for lgbt equality.”

The Equality Agenda is the Federation’s emerging plan for lgbt equality in every state.  The Agenda is defined by the work of our state organizations and based on what we know is achievable in each state.  It covers the entire range of issues important to lgbt people, including equality in the workplace, in housing, in our schools, and for our families. 

At the Summer Meeting, Equality Federation member organizations elected their board of directors and board officers for 2008-2009 terms.  Members include:  Mo Baxley of New Hampshire Freedom to Marry and a New Hampshire State Representative; Howard Bayless, the first openly gay man elected to office in Alabama; Alexis Blizman of Equality New Mexico; Lynne Bowman of Equality Ohio; Jeana Frazzini of Basic Rights Oregon; Ross Levi of Empire State Pride Agenda in New York; Ian Palmquist of Equality North Carolina; Paul Scott of Equality Texas; Sharon Semmens of Georgia; Marc Solomon of MassEquality; Mark St. John of Indiana Equality; Rhonda White of Tennessee Equality Project; and Deon Young of the Milwaukee LGBT Center.

In other business, KFA Board chairperson Jody Cofer was selected to serve as chair of the Planning Committee for the 2009 national summer meeting of statewide LGBT leaders.  Statewide member groups will begin the process of submitting applications to host the 2009 gathering in the coming weeks.  Cofer has served on the Committee for the past two years and when asked about serving he responded, “This gathering is the best opportunity available today for statewide lgbt leaders to come together and strategize about what is working and what is not working at home in the states.  I’m excited that colleagues from across the country continue to show support for the work I’ve done and have entrusted me with this responsibility.”  The outgoing chair of the planning committee is Alexis Blizman of Equality New Mexico.

Key national and regional allies of state work sponsored the Summer Meeting, including:  the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force; Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN); Lambda Legal; Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination (GLAAD); Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG); Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD); and Rockway Institute.

See you at the fair!

August 6 , 2008

Kentucky Fairness Alliance and the Fairness Campaign invite you to join us Aug. 14-24 at the 104th Kentucky State Fair.

It’s become a tradition to celebrate fairness at the fair and this year even more important due to a recent happening in Louisville/Jefferson County. 

Do you recall Rev. Todd Eklof?  He stood up for fairness in 2004 after the vote to ban same-sex marriage became law.  He decided not to perform marriage ceremonies until all committed couples can share equal recognition under the law.  As a result of taking a courageous stand and making it public, he was fired from his primary job at Kentucky Farm Bureau.  Rev. Eklof has been tied up in litigation ever since continuing to show his commitment to fairness.

Rev. Eklof’s case is moving ahead with the biggest victory for local Fairness Ordinance since its passage.  The 8th District Circuit Court in Jefferson County ruled recently that Rev. Eklof can claim Kentucky Farm Bureau violated the local ordinance when they “canned” him.  This is the first time that Louisville/Jefferson County’s local Fairness Ordinance has been given standing in a lawsuit. 

Rev. Eklof's case reinforces the need for a statewide anti-discrimination law. Given the Kentucky Farm Bureau's a huge presence at the state fair, we are taking this opportunity to kick off our Canned! campaign. The Canned! campaign will bring attention to the fact that in most of Kentucky it is legal to fire someone because they are gay.

We’ve got one thing to say to Kentucky Farm Bureau - “It’s wrong to ‘CAN’ someone for supporting fairness!”

We need lots of fair booth volunteers! If you can work a shift at the fairness booth, please contact us by emailing statefair2008@kentuckyfairness.org.   We’ll respond with details and get you set-up.

Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Passes Fairness Resolution

June 20, 2008

This week KCHR passed a historic resolution, calling for a statewide fairness law that would include sexual orientation and gender identity in Kentucky's existing civil rights code.

The Kentucky Fairness Alliance applauds the Commission. We ask that you join us in expressing our appreciation, admiration and solidarity by adding your name to a community statement of appreciation.

"The Commission's fairness resolution makes a strong statement in support of Kentucky's fair-minded majority," said KFA's executive director Christina Gilgor in a statement. "We join them in calling on our elected officials to include our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender neighbors in the existing civil rights code."

The statewide fairness bill would prohibit discrimination against GLBT Kentuckians in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit.

Sign the community statement of appreciation!

Represent KFA at HRC's Camp Equality™

June 18, 2008

The Kentucky Fairness Alliance is proud to partner with the Human Rights Campaign to bring Camp Equality™ to Cincinnati, Ohio this summer.

Join us the weekend of July 12-13 for an exciting training that will put you in position to help make 2008 the Year to Win for GLBT individuals across the country. Register now at www.hrc.org/campequality.

With both fundamental and advanced tracks, Camp Equality™ has something for everyone, from the first-time volunteer to the seasoned campaign professional.

The cost is $35 and includes a one-year HRC membership.

Fairness Victory for State Employees

June 2, 2008

Gov. Steve Beshear signed an executive order today, re-instating job discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender state employees. KFA issued the following statement:

"We're thrilled that Gov. Beshear has kept his campaign promise to reinstate sexual orientation and gender identity in the state government's employment non-discrimination policy," said Christina Gilgor, executive director of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance.

"Today's executive order puts Kentucky among 26 other states, and ahead of the federal government on this issue. It's another fine example of the critical role individual states play in advancing justice for all Americans. Kentucky's fair-minded majority has a reason to celebrate."

Join us in cheering Gov. Beshear's executive order. Fairness is moving forward in Kentucky.

Update: June 3 News Coverage

Beshear gives gays protection at work
Louisville Courier-Journal

Beshear bans discrimination for sexual orientation
Lexington Herald-Leader

Thank You for a Wonderful Gala

June 2, 2008

Friday May 30 marked the beginning of a new Louisville tradition, the kickoff gala for Village 8 Theaters' First Annual Gay & Lesbian Film Series.

Check out our online photo gallery!

The KFA Foundation wishes to thank all our generous sponsors, supporters, and guests, who made the evening a wonderful time.