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.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, July 6, 2007
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.
"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.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Kentucky Equality Federation Urges the U.S. Senate to Deny the Confirmation of Dr. James Holsinger as U.S. Surgeon General
Kentucky Equality Federation today condemned the nomination of Dr. James W. Holsinger Jr. as U.S. Surgeon General.
Federation management had previously decided to remain largely quiet on the issue since the Office of U.S. Surgeon General is not a particularly powerful one, and has little direct impact on policy-making.
Earlier this week however Truth Wins Out, a group that debunks the religious right, reported that Dr. James Holsinger helped found a church in Lexington, Kentucky that operates an "ex-gay" ministry, a practice strongly opposed by Kentucky Equality Federation.
In 2006 the American Psychiatric Association, backed by numerous other mainstream medical organizations, issued a warning which stated: "There is simply no sufficiently scientifically sound evidence that sexual orientation can be changed." The statement went on to say that positions supported by ex-gay organizations "are not supported by the science" and that they "create an environment in which prejudice and discrimination can flourish." The medical and scientific consensus is that reparative therapy is not effective and is potentially harmful.
"After reading some of the information and reports currently being circulated in the gay community it is clear that Dr. Holsinger has homophobic issues and isn't worthy to be a physician, much less U.S. Surgeon General," stated Jordan Palmer, Kentucky Equality Federation President. "If Holsinger is confirmed it will alienate the gay community from the U.S. Public Health Service."
Kentucky Equality Federation will be sending its certified condemnation of Dr. James Holsinger as U.S. Surgeon General to U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
"I think the committee needs to hear from Holsinger's home state," stated Palmer. "It is alarming that someone with a record such a Holsinger's, a record of allowing his personal religious opinion to influence his medical judgment, could be confirmed as our leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the U.S. government."
Kentucky Equality Federation will be asking its 6,841 registered members, as well as its 3,891 friends on the social networking website MySpace.com to sign a petition urging the Senate to reject Holsinger's nomination.
Federation management had previously decided to remain largely quiet on the issue since the Office of U.S. Surgeon General is not a particularly powerful one, and has little direct impact on policy-making.
Earlier this week however Truth Wins Out, a group that debunks the religious right, reported that Dr. James Holsinger helped found a church in Lexington, Kentucky that operates an "ex-gay" ministry, a practice strongly opposed by Kentucky Equality Federation.
In 2006 the American Psychiatric Association, backed by numerous other mainstream medical organizations, issued a warning which stated: "There is simply no sufficiently scientifically sound evidence that sexual orientation can be changed." The statement went on to say that positions supported by ex-gay organizations "are not supported by the science" and that they "create an environment in which prejudice and discrimination can flourish." The medical and scientific consensus is that reparative therapy is not effective and is potentially harmful.
"After reading some of the information and reports currently being circulated in the gay community it is clear that Dr. Holsinger has homophobic issues and isn't worthy to be a physician, much less U.S. Surgeon General," stated Jordan Palmer, Kentucky Equality Federation President. "If Holsinger is confirmed it will alienate the gay community from the U.S. Public Health Service."
Kentucky Equality Federation will be sending its certified condemnation of Dr. James Holsinger as U.S. Surgeon General to U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
"I think the committee needs to hear from Holsinger's home state," stated Palmer. "It is alarming that someone with a record such a Holsinger's, a record of allowing his personal religious opinion to influence his medical judgment, could be confirmed as our leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the U.S. government."
Kentucky Equality Federation will be asking its 6,841 registered members, as well as its 3,891 friends on the social networking website MySpace.com to sign a petition urging the Senate to reject Holsinger's nomination.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Kentucky Equality Federation Comments on Protests Held at Wal-Mart in Richmond, KY, and Possible Black Friday Protests of Wal-Mart
A group of protesters converged last week on the Wal-Mart in Richmond, KY to protest the company's fair and equal treatment of homosexuals. Wal-Mart has been under increasing pressure from conservative Christians, especially after they expanded their diversity program in a deal with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
Kentucky Equality Federation's Membership Manager and Acting Bluegrass Chapter President, Clarence Wallace, began receiving reports about the protest within hours of its development. The Federation also received approximately 24 emails and telephone calls from concerned members and citizens, including people who work at the Richmond Wal-Mart.
In electronic communication with Wal-Mart's corporate offices, Kentucky Equality Federation General Counsel Paige D. Marks asked Wal-Mart for guidance about the prospect of counter demonstrations or support rallies to support the company's diversity program.
Kentucky Equality Federation members have called for a counter demonstration celebrating diversity as well as fair and equal treatment in the work place to coincide with the one being held by the Richmond Chapter of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance on Black Friday.
Wallace called the protest of a Kentucky Wal-Mart "a complete misunderstanding of Wal-Mart's policy."
During a conference call late Wednesday evening, Federation management and Board members decided not to become involved in any counter protests or a support rally in Richmond.
Though we support the decision of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance's Richmond Chapter, and share solidarity with them, we will spend Black Friday with our loved ones, having just commemorated the feast held at Plymouth in 1621 by Pilgrim colonists and members of the Wampanoag people and marked by the giving of thanks to God for harvest and health," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer. "It is unreasonable however for anyone to think that companies don't want to do business with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community; our money is as green as anyone's."
Kentucky Equality Federation's Membership Manager and Acting Bluegrass Chapter President, Clarence Wallace, began receiving reports about the protest within hours of its development. The Federation also received approximately 24 emails and telephone calls from concerned members and citizens, including people who work at the Richmond Wal-Mart.
In electronic communication with Wal-Mart's corporate offices, Kentucky Equality Federation General Counsel Paige D. Marks asked Wal-Mart for guidance about the prospect of counter demonstrations or support rallies to support the company's diversity program.
Kentucky Equality Federation members have called for a counter demonstration celebrating diversity as well as fair and equal treatment in the work place to coincide with the one being held by the Richmond Chapter of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance on Black Friday.
Wallace called the protest of a Kentucky Wal-Mart "a complete misunderstanding of Wal-Mart's policy."
During a conference call late Wednesday evening, Federation management and Board members decided not to become involved in any counter protests or a support rally in Richmond.
Though we support the decision of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance's Richmond Chapter, and share solidarity with them, we will spend Black Friday with our loved ones, having just commemorated the feast held at Plymouth in 1621 by Pilgrim colonists and members of the Wampanoag people and marked by the giving of thanks to God for harvest and health," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer. "It is unreasonable however for anyone to think that companies don't want to do business with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community; our money is as green as anyone's."
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