Monday, September 19, 2011

Another Harlan County Hate Crime - Attempted Murder of a Gay Man - U.S. Justice Department notified

Harlan, KY -- In April, Kevin Pennington was kidnapped, taken to a state park, brutally beaten, and almost killed by four individuals. This was an unprovoked attack on a gay man, which, but for the fact that Pennington woke during a lull in the attack and made his escape while the assailants were pondering how best to kill him and dispose of his body, would have ended in his violent murder.

Friends of the victim reported the crime to Kentucky Equality Federation the following day.  However, until now, the victim was been reluctant to come forward, fearing for his safety. 

"The whole time I screamed and begged them to stop, I was screaming I'm sorry for whatever I had done to make them want to do this to me," stated Pennington in a report to Kentucky Equality Federation. "I can remember seeing bright flashes of light every time one of them would stomp or punch me in the head with them telling me he was going to rape me asking me if I was going to suck his [edited] how they would hold me down if they had to and how he was going to [edited] me in the [edited] dry until I bled."

"Five months later, justice has still not been served," stated Kentucky Equality Federation Southeastern Kentucky Regional Director Will Taylor. "Pennington is a haunted man, living in fear, dealing with fears of future attacks, and seeking to recompose his life, which was so viciously shattered that spring night."

David Jenkins and Anthony Jenkins stand charged with 'Attempted Murder.' Ashley Jenkins stands charged with 'Any Felony Charge Not Covered by these Codes,' and 'Complicity to Attempted Murderer' according to the Harlan County Circuit Court Clerk's Office, as well as a minor whose name cannot be released under Kentucky law.

"Our initial report to the U.S. Department of Justice as to why we are requesting they intervene under the new federal legislation is clearly outlined in our initial request to them, stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer. "My community wants exactly what every other citizen wants, equality under law and to love and protect our families. My community does not seek the approval of hate groups or intolerant people, only the acceptance that we have the same right to the pursuit of happiness as they do and, though they may continue to test our resolve, in the end, we shall prevail. The hate crimes, as well as the school bullying in Southeastern Kentucky however, must stop."

Palmer continued: "I separated Bell, Harlan, Knott, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, and Perry counties into the Southeastern Kentucky Region apart from the general Southern Kentucky Region because of recent incidents in Perry, Knott, Harlan, Bell, and Clay counties. We now have two (2) hate crimes in Harlan that we are making public, in addition to school bullying cases, and discrimination cases in the other Southeastern Kentucky counties which our Discrimination, Hate Crimes, and School Bullying Committee continue to investigate. The latest hate crime reports have also been forwarded to the U.S. Department of Justice under the new federal hate crimes law."

Kentucky Equality Federation continues to communicate with officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, including Walter Atkinson, Senior Conciliation Specialist for Region IV with the Community Relations Service, Robin Dull, with the Civil Enforcement Section, and Bobbi Bernstein, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Section, Civil Rights Division.

Palmer continued: "Kentucky Equality Federation will continue to monitor the conduct of everyone involved and will report any indifference to enforce the laws of this Commonwealth both to the U.S. Department of Justice as well as the Kentucky Court of Justice Judicial Conduct Commission. Violent hate crimes do not just devastate the victim, they also send the message that some of our citizens are expendable, a message which will not be tolerated in our Commonwealth. We will not tolerate the slippery slope of allowing certain segments of our population to be victimized."

The Kentucky Equality Federation demands that the Commonwealth of Kentucky defend Pennington, an innocent citizen who was kidnapped, beaten, threatened with rape, and who must now live in fear of his attackers, who are free to do as they please with no sort of restraint or intervention.

"The integrity of Kentucky’s criminal justice system is now under a microscope and jeopardized by abandoning such a man to the whims of four individuals with a demonstrated propensity toward extreme violence," stated Kentucky Equality Federation Vice President of Public Relations and Media, Joshua Koch. "Pennington reports that attorneys for the defendants have badgered Pennington to drop charges or accept a summary judgment from the bench rather than seeking a jury trial, Pennington has been prevented from seeking an emergency protection order."

Kentucky Equality Federation is the Commonwealth's largest advocate for equal treatment of all citizens. As our mission statement explains, "Kentucky Equality Federation believes all people are endowed with inalienable 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."

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Celebrating over 3 years of LGBT people being protected in Kentucky Government

Kentucky Equality Federation expresses its gratitude to the Honorable Steve Beshear, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as more than three (3) years have passed since Governor Beshear signed an executive order protecting gay and lesbian people in Kentucky Government.

The executive order was originally signed by Governor Paul Patton (Kentucky was the first whose Governor signed such an order), but the executive order was rescinded by Governor Ernie Fletcher resulting in Kentucky Equality Federation protesting the Governor's Annual Derby Breakfast. (Previous News Articles: I, II, III, and IV)

On June 02, 2008, Governor Beshear signed executive order 2008-473 which you can find on the Kentucky Department of State website under Executive Journal.

Executive Order 2008-473 states:

WHEREAS, the Government of the Commonwealth of Kentucky exists to serve equally all of the people of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, equal employment opportunity for all persons should be an integral part of our state government employment system, affording fair treatment relating to any employment action, benefit or condition of employment; and

WHEREAS, the fair and equitable treatment of all employees of and applicants for employment with the government of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is essential to the effective operation of state government;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Steven L. Beshear, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, by virtue of authority vested in me by Sections 81 and 69 of the Constitution of Kentucky, KRS 12.080 and the laws of Kentucky, do hereby order and direct the following:

1. This Executive Order applies to all applicants for positions within and employees of the program cabinets and the administrative bodies attached to the program cabinets or attached directly to the Governor's Office in the Executive Branch of the government of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as provided in KRS Chapter 12, et. seq.

2. It shall be the policy of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity, ancestry, age, disability or veteran status. Employer-employee relations shall include but not be limited to hiring, promotion, termination, tenure, recruitment and compensation.

3. The affirmative action plan for Kentucky state government adopted by Executive Order 84-549 and Executive Order 96-612, which committed the state to secure for its employees equal employment opportunities and freedom from discrimination and harassment, shall be in full force and effect except as specifically modified herein. The provisions of Executive Order 2006-402 are hereby rescinded and declared to be null and void.

4. The Secretary of the Personnel Cabinet in conjunction with the Governor's Executive Cabinet shall take all steps necessary to implement this Order.

In media comments, Governor Beshear stated: "A person should be hired or dismissed on the basis of whether they can do the job. Experience, qualifications, talent and performance are what matter."

"Kentucky Equality Federation urges Governor Beshear to include the issue of sexual orientation and gender identity in his next State of the Commonwealth Address," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer. "We have no doubt that Governor Beshear will be re-elected and urge Governor Beshear to place the Commonwealth at the forefront of civil rights again by passing a statewide equality law."

Palmer continued: "In 1966 Kentucky was the first state to create a Civil Rights Act (the Kentucky Civil Rights Act of 1966); since then we have fallen behind other states, we are no longer a player, much less a leader in the area of civil rights. Governor Beshear carries the support of the bulk of the Commonwealth's LGBTI community, though Kentucky Equality Federation does not give official endorsements."

Kentucky Equality Federation has created an online petition using their long-term partner, change.org, urging the Governor to instruct the Kentucky House and Senate to review the issue and finally pass a statewide law to protect all citizens of the Commonwealth from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in-line with his executive order.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Special Operating Region Created in Southeastern Kentucky to address Hate Crimes, School Bullying and Discrimination

Richmond, KY -- Due to the increased problems in Southeastern Kentucky, the recent increase in hate crime activity, and the possibility that hate groups are increasing (including KKK Clans which Kentucky Equality Federation last engaged in 2008) their Southeastern Kentucky operations, Southeastern Kentucky is being declared a "Special Operating Region" within the greater Southern Kentucky Region.

Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer appointed the Southeastern Kentucky Special Operating Region with Mr. Will Taylor as the Southeastern Kentucky Regional Director. In addition, Mr. Joseph Vaughn was appointed Southeastern Kentucky Regional Organizer by Regional Director Will Taylor. The Southeastern Kentucky Special Region shall consist of Bell, Harlan, Knott, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, and Perry Counties.

Kentucky Equality Federation continues to communicate with officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, including Walter Atkinson, Senior Conciliation Specialist for Region IV with the Community Relations Service, Robin Dull, with the Civil Enforcement Section, and Bobbi Bernstein, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Section, Civil Rights Division.

The reasons Kentucky Equality Federation involved the U.S. Department of Justice was outlined in a previous press release.

In addition, Kentucky Equality Federation received a complaint that a gay male was beaten, raped, and reportedly left to die in the mountains of Southeastern Kentucky. This particular complaint, as well as the Harlan County assault with the lesbian couple and her children is still being investigated.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is not unique in having hate groups; they operate around the nation and are tracked by the Anti-Defamation League, an international non-governmental organization based in the United States. Though Kentucky Equality Federation is not aligned with the Anti-Defamation League, the information they provide to the public about hate groups is valuable.

The primary focus of the Southeastern Kentucky Special Operating Region shall be to gain additional volunteers, raise community awareness of Kentucky Equality Federation's mission, intercede on behalf of hate-crime and discrimination victims in the region, and attempt to curb the hatred of LGBTI people and promote equality for all citizens regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, creed, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other defining characteristic.

Though the Southeastern Kentucky Special Operating Region shall remain part of the overall Southern Kentucky Region, both shall report directly to the Office of the President, the Board of Directors, and the Discrimination, Hate Crimes, and School Bullying Committee Chair.

"These difficult circumstances require new operational regions and directives," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer. "Kentucky Equality Federation shall stand united with all victims; we shall not walk, we shall run to protect any victim of hate crimes, school bullying, discrimination or any other defining characteristic as outlined in our new Mission Statement. The continued hate crimes in Southeastern Kentucky are unacceptable as are the threats against Kentucky Equality Federation volunteers; they will not be tolerated. Bitter, firsthand hate crime and discrimination reports have proved how critical our values of tolerance and acceptance are and the mission they represent."

Palmer continued: "When, in the darkest days of the American Revolutionary War, Thomas Paine wrote, 'These are the times that try men's [and women's] souls.' Nothing seems closer to the truth, centuries later, as the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex community remain under constant attack from Louisville, Covington, Lexington, Ashland, and Bowling Green to Harlan. Nevertheless, we shall remain vigilant. We do not seek the approval of hate groups or intolerant people, only the acceptance that we have the same right to the pursuit of happiness as they do and, though they may continue to test our resolve, in the end, we shall prevail."

Public Relations and Media Director Joshua Koch has also been appointed Vice President, Public Relations and Media to increase media attention on such issues.

"Kentucky Equality Federation will assume a proactive and aggressive posture on any reported crimes, discrimination events, retaliations, or other offenses against any person based on gender identity, sexual orientation, race, creed, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other defining characteristic," stated Kentucky Equality Federation Vice President of Public Relations and Media Joshua Koch. "Volunteers and equality allies are urged to cooperate with local, state, and federal law enforcement to protect our communities from hateful conduct against any citizen. We will not tolerate, nor will we turn a blind eye to, any violence or intimidation, and we will pursue any offenses against persons or property to the fullest extent of civil and criminal law."

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Kentucky Equality Federation names Vice President

Richmond, KY -- Kentucky Equality Federation today announced the elevation of Public Relations and Media Director Joshua Koch to Vice President of Public Relations and Media.

"These and many additional changes are part of a major realignment of Kentucky Equality Federation operations," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer. "Kentucky Equality Federation is very diverse; our volunteer Board members, officers, management, and interns are made-up of Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, Greens, Republicans, and now the Modern Whig Party, all committed to our Mission Statement."

Palmer continued: "Over the next couple of months additional realignments will be announced to increase our education, outreach, and membership initiatives to educate and advance our position to pass an equality law to encompass the entire Commonwealth; nothing shall impede our march to victory. A statewide equality law may not happen this year or next year but it will happen with the enormous community support Kentucky Equality Federation has enjoyed from its founding, which has increased substantially over the past couple of years."