Kentucky Equality Federation and the Libertarian Party of Kentucky form Strategic Coalition Partnership

Lexington, KY -- Kentucky Equality Federation is pleased to announce the formation of a strategic coalition alliance with the Libertarian Party of Kentucky to bring equality and fairness to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The Libertarian Party is the largest of the Third Political Parties in the United States, claiming more than 200,000 registered voters and more than 600 people in public office, including mayors, county executives, county-council members, school-board members and other local officials. It has more people in office than all other third parties combined.

"We can work together to promote equality in Kentucky, we definitely have a long road [ahead]," stated Libertarian Party of Kentucky Chairman Ken Moellman.

"We're very proud and honored to be working with the Libertarian Party of Kentucky," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer.

KENTUCKY EQUALITY FEDERATION AND THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY FORM STRATEGIC COALITION PARTNERSHIP

Kentucky Equality Federation is pleased to announce the formation of a strategic coalition alliance with the Libertarian Party of Kentucky to bring equality and fairness to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The Libertarian Party is the largest of the Third Political Parties in the United States, claiming more than 200,000 registered voters and more than 600 people in public office, including mayors, county executives, county-council members, school-board members and other local officials. It has more people in office than all other third parties combined.

"We can work together to promote equality in Kentucky, we definitely have a long road [ahead]," stated Libertarian Party of Kentucky Chairman Ken Moellman.

"We're very proud and honored to be working with the Libertarian Party of Kentucky," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer.

KENTUCKY EQUALITY FEDERATION QUESTIONS MIDDLESBORO DAILY NEWS ARTICLE AND CONDEMNS CO-CALLED ARYAN BASH 2008

Kentucky Equality Federation today called a newspaper article in the Middlesboro Daily News on Wednesday inflammatory and irresponsible because the veracity of the article could only be confirmed online from an ambiguous group. The article, written by Andrea Schneider, a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News stated the Appalachian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and several associated groups planned to rally outside the opening of Middlesboro Little Theatre's spring production "The Diary of Anne Frank" between April 11 and April 13, 2008.

The article contained no information as to whether the reporter attempted to speak to anyone from the organizations listed, how long they have operated, or if they actually still exist in Kentucky. "The website in question could simply be operated by one person with a computer attempting to ignite the community," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer.

"The Diary of Anne Frank" is the powerful story of a group of Jewish people attempting to survive the bigotry and persecution of the Nazis in Holland during World War II. Anne Frank, who was a teenager at the time, kept a diary detailing the hopes and dreams, fears and strengths, of eight people who hid from the Nazis for over two years with the help of Christian friends.

"Kentucky Equality Federation stands united with the Jewish and Black population of the Commonwealth in fighting racism and hatred," stated Kentucky Equality Federation Political Advisor James-Clifton Spires. "This type of rally and the attention it draws serve no other purpose than to re-segregate our communities; I challenge citizens in the surrounding areas to deny them an audience."

Kentucky Equality Federation condemns the so-called "Aryan Bash 2008" and believes it was irresponsible of the paper and the writer to publish an article listed by the Anti-Defamation League(R) as "the first annual event of this kind." Palmer stated that first annual events of this nature have a way of falling apart, especially since the newspaper itself stated the planned event could only be confirmed through the website of one of the groups.

Kentucky Equality Federation leads the first rally of the 2008 Legislative Session at the Kentucky Capitol

Two gay rights groups lobbied lawmakers yesterday and held a rally in the Capitol Rotunda in opposition to the proposed ban on domestic-partner benefits.

The state Senate passed the bill (SB-112) in January. The bills fate now lies in the House of Representatives.

The groups also supported House Bill 33 filed by state Representative Mary Lou Marzian (D) Louisville, which is currently in the House Health and Welfare Committee for consideration.

"It's great that our legislatures are seeing that there is a huge LGBT presence in the commonwealth demanding equality and fairness under Kentucky law," stated Jordan Palmer, President of the Kentucky Equality Federation, a statewide gay rights organization. Palmer added, "Every Kentuckian should feel embarrassed that we have a Senate who wants to micromanage public universities, and kills every bill filed to protect LGBT Kentuckians from discrimination in employment, credit, and accommodations."

After lobbying lawmakers, a rally was held in the Capitol Rotunda where spectators drew inspiration from Kentucky Senator Ernesto Scorsone, Representative Kathy W. Stein, and a local Pastor.

The University of Kentucky, whose domestic-partner benefits program was attacked by the state Senate was represented by UK Gay-Straight Alliance Chairwoman Corinne Keel.

"For the first time in the history of the Gay Rights Movement in Kentucky, we are able to show that gay Kentuckians exist in every region of the commonwealth, and they deserve the same rights and protections as their heterosexual counterparts," stated Paul Brown, Chairman of Bluegrass Fairness of Central Kentucky, a Lexington gay rights group.

Kentucky Families are Safe after the House of Representatives Immediately Adjourns the Special Session Called by Governor Fletcher

Kentucky Equality Federation praises the wisdom of House Speaker Richards and the entire House of Representatives for immediately adjourning the special session called by Governor Fletcher. The House of Representatives voted to end a special legislative session called by Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher an hour after it started.

"The House of Representatives did what was right for Kentucky families and taxpayers," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer. "Governor Fletcher apparently has no core beliefs of his own, his decisions seem to be nothing more than a calculation of how he can stay in office."

Governor Fletcher added a ban on domestic-partner benefits at universities and public agencies to the agenda of the special session that could have cost taxpayers $60,000.00 per day to hold.

"Watching Speaker Richards and other members of the House on KET made me proud to be a Kentuckian," stated Palmer.

Kentucky Equality Federation supports the previous statement by Governor Fletcher that universities should determine their own policies. But the Governor changed his mind in the middle of an election year and added it to a 'laundry list' as a reason to call the General Assembly into session.

Several Kentucky universities and public agencies offer affordable health insurance to both heterosexual and homosexual couples.