Kentucky Equality Federation (formerly Kentucky Equality Association) is now officially offering to serve as a "buffer" between victims of hate crimes, discrimination, and school bullying.
Kentucky Equality has successfully settled nine complaints submitted by members across Kentucky so far in 2006 with two others still pending. Until today however, Kentucky Equality offered no official online form or specific manager to handle the complaints. So far, none of the cases have required lawsuits.
Given the fact that Kentucky Equality Federation has received so many official complaints and general inquiries this year alone, the Board of Directors believes this is the next logical step. "If the people need us to serve in this capacity, then we will step up to the plate," stated Nancy Couch, Secretary of the Federation.
Kentucky Equality believes a lot of incidents go unreported each year throughout Kentucky because of bad experiences in reporting them, others fear being "outed" or reprisals from their perpetrators. However, unless people do report it, there will be no true record of the extent of the problem and nothing will be done to address it.
"Some children and teenager's, especially in small Kentucky communities are afraid to go to the police, or take legal action when they suffer from or witness discrimination, school bullying, and even hate crimes," stated Jordan Palmer, president of Kentucky Equality. "Schools throughout the commonwealth are particularly quick to dismiss school bullying related to a child or teenager's gender identity and sexual orientation; we want to make sure their complaints are taking seriously, and make sure local officials stop it with more than just a slap on the wrist."
Kentucky Equality will keep all specific information submitted by victims confidential unless violence or a life is at risk. "If the person wants our help, we will do everything possible and necessary to keep their names confidential, and bring every resource to bear on the issue," stated Palmer. "Kentucky Equality Association/Federation isn't just about fighting for civil rights, we stand united together when one of us is attacked, in whatever form."
Kentucky Equality believes teaching tolerance and acceptance is critical at high schools, colleges, and universities; last week the Federation matched operating budgets for Eastern Kentucky University's "EKU Pride Alliance," and Boone County High School's "Gay-Straight Alliance."
Thursday, September 7, 2006
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Boone County High School in Northern Kentucky Approves Gay-Straight Alliance
Students at Boone County High School in Northern Kentucky celebrated victory after members of the Boone County High School Site-Based Council unanimously approved the formation of an in-school Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) last night.
The Boone County High School was under direct threat of being sued by the Kentucky Equality Association for delaying the formation of the club for over 3 months.
The victory however belongs to Nick Herweck, a student at Boone County High School, and a senior member of the Kentucky Equality Association.
Herweck had an unprecedented amount of support from organizations and groups across two states, including the AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky University's Pride Alliance, Northern Kentucky University's Common Ground, Cincinnati's Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a representative from Social Services, various community members, and the Kentucky Fairness Alliance filled the commons area of the school to support the formation of the Boone County High School Gay-Straight Alliance.
"It was both remarkable and wonderful to see various groups and organizations from two states in the same room to support such a wonderful cause; to make sure our gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, and questioning teenagers have a school club were they are accepted, and can talk freely in a non-threatening environment," stated Jordan Palmer, President of the Kentucky Equality Association/Federation. "Nick Herweck sets a positive example for all teenagers in being responsible and active environmentally, socially, academically, and politically; Nick is remarkable in every measurable sense of the word."
The Boone County High School was under direct threat of being sued by the Kentucky Equality Association for delaying the formation of the club for over 3 months.
The victory however belongs to Nick Herweck, a student at Boone County High School, and a senior member of the Kentucky Equality Association.
Herweck had an unprecedented amount of support from organizations and groups across two states, including the AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky University's Pride Alliance, Northern Kentucky University's Common Ground, Cincinnati's Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a representative from Social Services, various community members, and the Kentucky Fairness Alliance filled the commons area of the school to support the formation of the Boone County High School Gay-Straight Alliance.
"It was both remarkable and wonderful to see various groups and organizations from two states in the same room to support such a wonderful cause; to make sure our gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, and questioning teenagers have a school club were they are accepted, and can talk freely in a non-threatening environment," stated Jordan Palmer, President of the Kentucky Equality Association/Federation. "Nick Herweck sets a positive example for all teenagers in being responsible and active environmentally, socially, academically, and politically; Nick is remarkable in every measurable sense of the word."
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Kentucky Equality Federation's Founder Injured in a Car Accident
Gay civil rights leader Jordan Palmer, founder and president of the Kentucky Equality Association (now Kentucky Equality Federation) was injured with multiple lacerations around 11:45 p.m. late Saturday night on Turfway Road in Florence, KY after the car he was a passenger in was hit by a driver arrested on the scene for driving while intoxicated.
Neither Palmer nor Robert Chapman from West Virginia, the driver of the car Palmer was in were drinking alcohol or under the influence. Florence police arrested the driver of the automobile who collided with them after he allegedly failed sobriety tests.
Palmer is still expected to attend a meeting at Boone County High School on Friday evening, a high school the Kentucky Equality Association is threatening to sue for dragging their feet on the formation of a student organized Gay-Straight Alliance.
Neither Palmer nor Robert Chapman from West Virginia, the driver of the car Palmer was in were drinking alcohol or under the influence. Florence police arrested the driver of the automobile who collided with them after he allegedly failed sobriety tests.
Palmer is still expected to attend a meeting at Boone County High School on Friday evening, a high school the Kentucky Equality Association is threatening to sue for dragging their feet on the formation of a student organized Gay-Straight Alliance.
Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Kentucky Equality Federation Condemns the Federal Marriage Amendment and Expresses Outrage Over Comments Made by U.S. Representative Davis
The Kentucky Equality Federation expressed outrage and regret today to its members and supporters for the response they received from U.S. Representative Geoff Davis [part of Kentucky's Congressional delegation for his response to their opposition to the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment.
In an email response to constituents, U.S. Representative Davis stated: "I am committed to protecting traditional marriage. I proudly supported the Same-Sex Marriage Amendment proposal in Kentucky in 2004 and was pleased to see it pass with 74% of the vote. For too long the courts have gone unchecked when they exceeded their constitutional boundaries. Our Constitution established a government of the people, for the people. It is a shame that we need to resort to amending our Constitution to define marriage. However, a judiciary run amok must be reined-in."
"One must wonder what U.S. Representative Davis thinks the judiciary is here for," stated Jordan Palmer, federation president. "It is the principal function of the judiciary to interpret our laws and constitution, and they are doing so. Our members and supporters haven't been so outraged since Governor Fletcher refused our request to veto funding to the University of the Cumberlands." The Kentucky Equality Federation believes the anti-gay marriage movement comes from the religious belief that homosexuality is a sin, immoral, harms children, and spreads disease.
The Federal Marriage Amendment is an attack on the sovereignty of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which recognizes gay marriages, as well as the states of New Jersey, Vermont, California, and Connecticut, that have passed civil unions or similar partnerships.
The Kentucky Equality Federation is committed to organizing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and fair-minded vote throughout the commonwealth. The Association's Board of Directors ratified a statement condemning the Republican attempt to appeal to right-wing voters ahead of November's congressional ballot, and for using the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community as a political punching bag.
Same-sex couples cannot fully participate in society if they are denied the rights and responsibilities offered to heterosexual couples.
In an email response to constituents, U.S. Representative Davis stated: "I am committed to protecting traditional marriage. I proudly supported the Same-Sex Marriage Amendment proposal in Kentucky in 2004 and was pleased to see it pass with 74% of the vote. For too long the courts have gone unchecked when they exceeded their constitutional boundaries. Our Constitution established a government of the people, for the people. It is a shame that we need to resort to amending our Constitution to define marriage. However, a judiciary run amok must be reined-in."
"One must wonder what U.S. Representative Davis thinks the judiciary is here for," stated Jordan Palmer, federation president. "It is the principal function of the judiciary to interpret our laws and constitution, and they are doing so. Our members and supporters haven't been so outraged since Governor Fletcher refused our request to veto funding to the University of the Cumberlands." The Kentucky Equality Federation believes the anti-gay marriage movement comes from the religious belief that homosexuality is a sin, immoral, harms children, and spreads disease.
The Federal Marriage Amendment is an attack on the sovereignty of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which recognizes gay marriages, as well as the states of New Jersey, Vermont, California, and Connecticut, that have passed civil unions or similar partnerships.
The Kentucky Equality Federation is committed to organizing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and fair-minded vote throughout the commonwealth. The Association's Board of Directors ratified a statement condemning the Republican attempt to appeal to right-wing voters ahead of November's congressional ballot, and for using the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community as a political punching bag.
Same-sex couples cannot fully participate in society if they are denied the rights and responsibilities offered to heterosexual couples.
Thursday, June 1, 2006
Kentucky Equality Association Issues Notice and Information to a Northern Kentucky High School
After receiving reports that officials at Boone County High School could be delaying the formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance ("GSA"), the Kentucky Equality Association has sent a letter and information pamphlets to the school's principal. The information sent to the school is entitled "Just the Facts" and has been endorsed by the American Association of School Administrators, American Federation of Teachers, American Psychological Association, American School Health Association, National Association of Social Workers, and the National Education Association, among others.
The federal Equal Access Act requires schools to treat GSA's as they would any other school group, according to the letter sent Tuesday to Ms. Peggy Brooks the principal of Boone County High School.
The Kentucky Equality Association/Federation believes delaying or denying the formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance would also violate the Kentucky Education Reform Act.
According to information obtained from the school's website, 16 clubs are currently active in the school including a club dedicated to the animated cartoon, Anime.
A GSA provides a place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation, and work to end homophobia. Many GSA's function as a support group and provide safety and confidentiality to students who are struggling with their identity as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
Federal courts have repeatedly ruled in favor of GSA's where schools tried to block their formation, upholding students' right to form the groups in Salt Lake City, Utah, Orange, California, Franklin Township, Indiana, and Boyd County, Kentucky.
The Kentucky Equality Association has offered to make additional information available to any official or student of Boone County High School. "The Kentucky Equality Association will be pleased to provide information and data sheets about GSA's to any other school official or student in the commonwealth," stated Jordan Palmer, association president.
The Advisory Council of the Kentucky Equality Association will continue to monitor the formation of the GSA club at Boone County High School through its members.
The federal Equal Access Act requires schools to treat GSA's as they would any other school group, according to the letter sent Tuesday to Ms. Peggy Brooks the principal of Boone County High School.
The Kentucky Equality Association/Federation believes delaying or denying the formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance would also violate the Kentucky Education Reform Act.
According to information obtained from the school's website, 16 clubs are currently active in the school including a club dedicated to the animated cartoon, Anime.
A GSA provides a place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation, and work to end homophobia. Many GSA's function as a support group and provide safety and confidentiality to students who are struggling with their identity as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
Federal courts have repeatedly ruled in favor of GSA's where schools tried to block their formation, upholding students' right to form the groups in Salt Lake City, Utah, Orange, California, Franklin Township, Indiana, and Boyd County, Kentucky.
The Kentucky Equality Association has offered to make additional information available to any official or student of Boone County High School. "The Kentucky Equality Association will be pleased to provide information and data sheets about GSA's to any other school official or student in the commonwealth," stated Jordan Palmer, association president.
The Advisory Council of the Kentucky Equality Association will continue to monitor the formation of the GSA club at Boone County High School through its members.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)