News from Kentucky Equality Federation

October 2010 Newsletter

Greetings!

Our chance to bring change to Kentucky is fast approaching! Election Day is November 02, 2010.

The LGBTI Election Agenda

It is vital that we let people running for political office know OUR agenda; please sign the action alerts below:

Statement from the Chairman on God's role in Kentucky's Homeland Security

"Kentucky Equality Federation urges Kentucky lawmakers to focus on improving the quality of life for all Kentuckians instead of trying to force religion on the citizens of the Commonwealth." - Richard T. Jones, Chairman

"This is a clear violation of Kentucky's Constitution." (story)

Our community

LGBTI assaults, murders, and suicides have made national headlines. With the anti-gay stands of the Tea Party, new radical agenda's (such as the Republican Party of Texas making sodomy illegal again), the publicity of the Defense of Marriage Act being struck down, and most important, the Prop 8 trial in California is leading to more and more anti-gay sentiment.

Whitley County Judge Executive Pat White, Jr. told the entire Commonwealth he had a problem with LGBTI people in an interview with the Lexington and Hazard CBS affiliate. When the public and especially our youth hear a public official telling them there is something wrong with them, it sets a horrible prescient; every time someone speaks out against our community, a child is listening.

Sometimes people hate a person, community, or something so much that the feeling becomes so familiar to them they cannot remember feeling any other way. We must educate the public and be there to support Kentucky's youth!

In addition, Mormon Church leaders decided to broadcast a verbal rampage against gays to millions of viewers across the nation last week.

If you or someone you know is being discriminated against, harassed, bullied, or suicidal, please contact our Discrimination, Hate Crimes, or School Bullying Committee for assistance, or a mentor. If we cannot help you, we will place you in contact with an organization that can. If you know someone suicidal, please call the Trevor Project at (866) 4U-TREVOR immediately!

The current sentiment is reaching everyone in our community, and the Associated Press published an excellent article about this which we have posted on our official blog.

Kentucky votes on November 02, 2010

Kentucky Equality Federation will not tell you who to vote for, that is your sole decision as a citizen. We did however asked Kentucky newspapers and respectable bloggers for their favorite articles; ones they would want our readers to be aware of. You may read them below. Above all, VOTE your conscience on November 02, 2010:

November election uncertain and lawmakers are reluctant to prefile bills (United We Stand - Kentucky's LGBTI News)
Whitley County Judge Executive passes resolution against gay marriage (United We Stand - Kentucky's LGBTI News)
Kentucky House of Representatives Adopts Christian Principals (United We Stand - Kentucky's LGBTI News)
Message to Rex Smith: Not This Time (Hillbilly Report)
A message to Democrats (Hillbilly Report)
Kentucky Young Democrats also looking to oust Senate President David Williams (United We Stand - Kentucky's LGBTI News)
Eight Ky. House members in Fayette County face challengers (Lexington-Herald Leader)
Louisville Courier-Journal Voting Guide: Meet the candidates

We also encourage you to visit Project Vote Smart for Kentucky Senate candidates, and Kentucky House candidates.

-> Visit the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Voter Information Center to find out where you vote!

Office of the President

Last week the Board of Directors asked Kentucky Equality Federation co-founder Jordan Palmer to resume being president of the organization. Mr. Palmer refused, but later accepted under the condition that the Board would begin an immediate search for a replacement, and that his official title be "Interim President."

Mr. Palmer stated he needed "simply a prolonged rest," after assisting in two political campaigns this year and serving as president of the Federation since its conception.

New Volunteers / Website Construction

Kentucky Equality Federation welcomes:

Anderson Ruth, as a Political and Community Blogger (blog.kyequality.org). Mr. Ruth lives in London, KY and will also serve on the Discrimination, Hate Crimes and School Bullying Committee.
Jeff Johnson, Political and Community Blogger (blog.kyequality.org). Mr. Johnson lives in Louisville, KY and was the Central Kentucky Regional Director, and will continue to assist the Federation as a stand-by volunteer.
Darren R. Morgen, Central Kentucky Regional Director. Mr. Morgen lives in Louisville, KY and and will also serve on the Discrimination, Hate Crimes and School Bullying Committee.