Kentucky Equality Federation Broadens Its Scope: Veterans, Political Minorities, and Others Will Benefit From Advocacy.

Frankfort, KY  --  Effective immediately Kentucky Equality Federation has updated its mission statement to include additional aspects of equality, as well as further defining its role in the future of equality and justice across the Commonwealth.

The new mission statement is as follows:

Kentucky Equality Federation believes all people are endowed with inalienable human rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment free from oppression, discrimination, school bullying, and hate crimes regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, creed, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other defining characteristic.

The end of discrimination is not simply the elimination of flagrant abuses, rather it is the ability of a person to fully exercise their Kentucky human rights to the same full extent enjoyed by their peers, without fear of retribution, aspersion, or harm, be that harm political or social.

We assist and act as public advocate for people who have been bullied, discriminated against, or victimized in addition to assisting them with legal remedies.

When the laws have not caught up to the moral needs of society, we will seek their modification, pursuant to the creation of a just society.

• Bully-Free Schools across Kentucky
• Gender-Neutral Marriage (marriage equality, in partnership with Marriage Equality Kentucky)
• Equal Ballot-Access and Voting Rights
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) Equality in Kentucky (the Kentucky lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex civil rights movement).  In addition, Kentucky Equality Federation will continue to be a voting member and representative of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association ("ILGA") at the United Nations. 
• Every other measure necessary to leave future generations with a legacy of justice and freedom.

Kentucky Equality Federation will remain ever vigilant against bureaucratic abuses of power, the evils of discriminatory legislation, and every other tool of oppressors, be they individuals, corporations, organizations, or governments.

We commit to the struggle for equal rights for all classes of people, groups, and organizations which share our values and call on all free and fair-minded people who share these values to join us in our common cause, and welcome all who share our commitment to justice and equality.

"Kentucky Equality Federation has been at the forefront of the continued civil rights struggle against racial, gender, sexual-orientation, and sexual-identity discrimination. Going forward, it will also work to protect veterans, political minorities, and other victims of discrimination," stated Josh Koch, Kentucky Equality Federation's Director of Public Relations and Media Director.

Koch continued: "This is a proud day for the Kentucky Equality Federation. In Hazard, we showed that equality advocacy can involve partnership with local governments to proactively implement plans to ensure the equal-access rights of all citizens of a community. Hazard has shown us that local communities can grow past unpleasant incidents and handle equality issues responsibly.

As a veteran, I have witnessed employment discrimination and other forms of discrimination against service members. In this election cycle, we are watching political independents and non-majority parties being arbitrarily excluded from the ballot and from elections. 'Taxation without representation' is the common, unifying grievance: No one should be excluded from the public forum by a defining characteristic, be that one's veteran status, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. We all deserve equal protection under the law. This is the cornerstone of American Civilization."

Richard T. Jones, Chairman of the Board of Directors stated: "I am so very proud to be a part of this organization, I along with most of our volunteers, officers, interns, and Board members have waited in anticipation of this day. The entire Board has worked with President Jordan Palmer to make this change in our mission statement possible. I am so pleased to see the direction Kentucky Equality Federation is moving and the vision Mr. Palmer has for our great Commonwealth, it is a vision everyone at Kentucky Equality Federation shares."