Friday, February 20, 2009

KENTUCKY EQUALITY FEDERATION CONDEMNS SENATE BILL 68 AND URGES ALL FAIRMINDED KENTUCKIANS TO RALLY AT THE CAPITOL ON FEBRUARY 25TH

Kentucky Equality Federation condemns Senate Bill 68 filed by Senator Gary Tapp (R). Senate Bill 68 would make it illegal for any 'unmarried couple' to adopt a child or serve as foster parents in Kentucky.

"Senate Bill 68 isn't about protecting children, it is about harming a specific group of people, the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex community of the Commonwealth. Thousands of adoptable children are currently languishing in foster care, many bouncing from home to home or from institution to institution. This bill would also prevent all single people (including our straight allies) from serving as foster parents or adopting a child," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer.

On Wednesday, February 25th, Kentucky Equality Federation, Kentucky Fairness Alliance, Fairness Campaign, Lexington Fairness, Young Democrats (from counties across the Commonwealth), ACLU of Kentucky, Libertarian Party of Kentucky, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, and many other allied organizations will gather in Frankfort for a day of lobbying, followed by a rally in the Capitol Rotunda beginning at 12:30 PM.

"Our children are not political pawns," stated Palmer. "This proposed legislation is a disgrace; the needs of the child should always be placed first."

Kentucky Equality Federation responded by posting an action alert on its Equality Center the day after the legislation was filed, but did not send a blast email to its members.

"We try to keep emails to a minimum, and truth is that this bill will have no problem passing the Kentucky Senate if Senate President David L. Williams decides to push it," stated Kentucky Equality Federation Northern Kentucky Regional Director, Nick Herweck. "As of this morning, over 575 people have signed our action alert which is emailed to Senate leadership."

Senate Bill 68 remains in the Senate Judiciary Committee (since February 9th) without action. Should Senate Bill 68 make it to the House of Representatives, Kentucky Equality Federation will take a more aggressive approach.

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