Today equality-minded people will remain silent; National Day of Silence

Lexington, KY -- Today, schools and universities across the Commonwealth will participate in the National Day of Silence. This is the first year Kentucky Equality Federation is openly encouraging students around the Commonwealth to participate in the national event.

"Things are spiraling out of control," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer. "This year we have received a record number of school bullying complaints, and it's only April. From Spirit Day, the day we wore purple in loving memory of all the teenage suicides being called a 'meaningless gesture,' to Kentucky Representative Mike Harmon's comments on school bullying, the Bible, proposed legislation to teach the Bible in Kentucky Schools to wasting Kentucky taxpayer dollars to enforce federal immigration laws, we have reached our boiling point."

The Day of Silence is the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's (GLSEN) annual day of action to protest the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students and their supporters. Students take a day-long vow of silence to symbolically represent the silencing of LGBT students and their supporters.

Palmer continued: "Citizens are not equal in Kentucky, equality is not the law of this land; LGBTI people are treated as second-class citizens. We are not protected under Kentucky law in employment, housing, accommodations, or credit and I submit to you that is the laws of this Commonwealth do not recognize and protect us as they do smokers, veteran status, age, sex, race, etc. then the laws of this Commonwealth should not apply to the LGBTI community either."

Palmer continued: "We love our Commonwealth; we love its beauty, and believe in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the Commonwealth."

"I pledge allegiance to the Kentucky flag, and to the Sovereign State for which it stands, one Commonwealth, blessed with diversity, natural wealth, beauty, and grace from on High."

The National Bully Police gives the Commonwealth’s anti-bullying laws an A+ Rating. House Bill 91 was proposed in 2008 and passed by the Kentucky House of Representatives, the Kentucky Senate and signed into law by The Honorable Steve Beshear, Governor of the Commonwealth on April 15, 2008. The law is commonly referred to as "The Golden Rule Act."

Palmer continued: "Being verbally or physically assaulted is one of the primary reasons students turn to drugs, alcohol, and/or dropout of school altogether; they cannot cope with the constant verbal and physical assaults. The bottom line is that all students deserve the right to be able to be who they are, without having to face verbal or physical violence, having to lie about being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex, or having to lie about having LGBTI friends or family members."

Under currently Kentucky law, any act by a student to intimidate, harass, annoy, or alarm another person with intent is a criminal offense. Harassing communications with intent to intimidate, harass, annoy, or alarm another person is also a criminal offense.

Kentucky Equality Federation also warns students not to take the Day of Silence to extreme measures. If you are asked to speak by a teacher, do not be insubordinate. Kentucky Equality Federation calls on all equality-minded students around the Commonwealth to participate and stand united with us in the National Day of Silence.

Kentucky Equality Federation's Discrimination, Hate Crimes, and School Bullying Committee will remain on high alert today and we ask that any student who needs our help to call us toll-free at (877) KEF-5775 - Ext. 6 to reach the Discrimination, Hate Crimes, and School Bullying Committee.

If you are in immediate danger, please dial 911 and report the incident to us after notifying the police.

• The Alphabet Center at Eastern Kentucky University asks that people participating in the National Day of Silence wear a black or white tee shirt. ALLYance at Morehead State University are also gearing up for an active day.  Other major universities include the University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky, and nearly 42 high schools around the Commonwealth. 

NOTE: Kentucky Equality Federation is a member of "ILGA," the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, a non-government observer at the United Nations with consultive status. ILGA is the world's largest and oldest Federation with more than 600 affiliates worldwide. ILGA continues to be active in campaigning for LGBTI rights on the international human rights and civil rights scene and regularly petitions the United Nations and governments. ILGA is represented in around 110 countries across the world.

Kentucky's Christopher Crowe, President of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Congressional Staff Association Dies at 29 years old.

Lexington, KY - Kentucky Equality Federation mourns the loss of Christopher Crowe, President of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Congressional Staff Association (LGBT CSA) and a longtime legislative aide to U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas).

Crowe, originally from Kentucky, died yesterday at the age of 29 from a staph infection related to open-heart surgery last summer after being stricken with meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

"His contribution will never be forgotten," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer. "He was a dynamic activist that believed in equality for all people. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and associates."

Crowe grew up in Gamaliel, KY and studied government and global securities at Johns Hopkins University before going to Capitol Hill to work as a staff assistant for Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). In 2006 he started as a staff assistant in U.S. Representative Johnson's office, and last year he was promoted to legislative assistant.

U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson a Ranking Member of the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology is also the highest-ranking Texan on the U.S. House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. She represents Texas in their 30th Congressional District.

U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson also make a statement on her official website:

"Christopher was a dedicated legislative assistant who was committed to strengthening the 30th Congressional District of Texas. He was respected by his colleagues for his professionalism; he was beloved by many for his generous spirit and good humor,” said Congresswoman Johnson. "He was a person who enjoyed life and always had a smile to share. He never met a stranger."

Congresswoman Johnson added, "I extend my deepest sympathy to the Crowe family and his loved ones. He will be deeply missed."

Funeral arrangements are forthcoming and will be announced at later time. Condolences may be signed in a memorial book starting tomorrow, March 31st in 2468 Rayburn House Office Building.

Public Statement about the Kentucky Statewide Fairness Coalition

PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, THE PRESIDENT, AND THE PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA DIRECTOR

Richmond, KY -- In light of recent occurrences, we at the Kentucky Equality Federation are issuing a statement to clarify our stance on the Statewide Fairness Coalition.

There are certain items that need to be addressed explicitly, as they set us apart from other organizations within the equality movement. Kentucky Equality Federation does not hold traditional fundraisers or host "social hours."  In addition, we will not do anything to endanger long-term equality to accomplish short-term victories.

Kentucky Equality Federation is a founding member of the Statewide Fairness Coalition. Federation Board members and Regional Directors attended the first two meetings of its conception, but our Board voted to withdraw.

While we support the efforts of other equality organizations in the Commonwealth and do not seek to offend other groups in the Coalition, we have enjoyed better success and more flexibility as an organization independent of any official coalitions with Steering Committees.

After conversations with the Statewide Fairness Coalition, namely Mr. Chris Hartman of the Louisville Fairness Campaign, Kentucky Equality Federation will begin to support the Statewide Fairness Coalition as an independent, non-member organization as our Chairman, President, and/or Public Relations and Media Director deem appropriate. This decision was reached after posing the question to our Board members, officers, regional directors, outreach directors, contributors of Kentucky Equality Federation's Official Blog, and standby volunteers. 

As always, we remain committed to working with other equality organizations, and we are glad to have good working relations with them. We will support them when appropriate, and we continue to serve as the largest all-volunteer equality organization in the Commonwealth.

Our main goals at this point are to continue serving as public advocates for victims of abuse and discrimination, as well as preparing for the next legislative session in Frankfort.

To that end, we plan to build our legislative advocacy network and public affairs infrastructure further in addition to working with StoryCorps to tell the stories of those who grew up LGBTI in Whitesburg and Lexington, as well as raising money to support HIV/AIDS organizations around the Commonwealth.

Kentucky Equality Federation is also working to launch our "Faces of Equality" video series; to participate, contact us at: www.kyequality.org, and select "Faces of Equality Project."

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Please contact the Public Relations and Media Director at (877) KEF - 5775 - Ext. 1.

85 nations wage another culture war at the United Nation; this time in favor of gay rights

United Nation in Geneva -- In what gay advocates described as "a stunning development for the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," 85 nations signed a pro-gay statement that was read out by Colombia's representative at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 22.

A culture war recently broke-out at the United Nations concerning gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgenderd, and intersex people.

In addition, United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon chastised States in September 2010 by stating:

"The responsibilities of the United Nations and the obligations of States are clear. No-one, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. No-one should be prosecuted for their ideas or beliefs. No-one should be punished for exercising their right to freedom of expression."

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon is the first leader of the United Nations to speak out of behalf of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The statement read on March 22, 2011 "express(es) concern at continued evidence in every region of acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity" and "call(s) on states to take steps to end acts of violence, criminal sanctions and related human rights violations committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, called the statement "a very significant step forward towards international consensus on LGBTI people's rights.

Kentucky Equality Federation is a member of ILGA.

"We recognize that the fight at the United Nations underscores the historic split over gay rights at the United Nations and their diverse religious and cultural sensibilities, stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer. "However, no State at the United Nations has the right to deprive someone of life because of the way they are born; we all have the right to live and to protect ourselves and our families."

The nations that signed the statement are Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Nigeria's representative spoke against the statement, purportedly on behalf of the council's Africa Group. The representative said the terms "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" are undefined, talked about God, and said it takes a man and a woman to make a baby. At the end, however, he said that laws that criminalize sexual orientation should be expunged.

Pakistan also spoke against the statement on behalf of an official bloc of 57 majority-Muslim nations. Russia opposed the statement, as well, saying it rejects discrimination and violence against LGBT people but should be allowed to limit rights for reasons of public morality. The representative reportedly said that "these people" should not be granted special rights.

ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, called the statement "a very significant step forward towards international consensus on LGBTI people's rights."

"The strength of this statement makes the defense of discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexual, trans and intersex people on the basis of a mistaken sense of 'tradition' or 'natural order' more untenable than ever," said the group's co-secretary general, Renato Sabbadini. "Homophobia and transphobia are more and more acknowledged for what they truly are: the last crumbling pillars of a patriarchal order which belong with other dark pages of our past, like slavery and the Inquisition."

ILGA noted that more nations of the Southern Hemisphere signed this year's statement, and it highlighted the signatures of Dominica, Honduras, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Seychelles.

A statement from the White House said, in part: "Over the past months our diplomats have been engaged in frank, and at times difficult, conversations about the human rights of LGBT persons with governments from around the world. This morning, at the United Nations Human Rights Council, some 85 countries joined the United States in reaffirming our joint commitment to end acts of violence and human rights abuses on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The president is proud of the work we have done to build international consensus on this critical issue and is committed to continuing our determined efforts to advance the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

The U.S. State Department said, "This statement adds new references not seen in previous LGBT statements at the U.N., including: welcoming attention to LGBT issues as a part of the Universal Periodic Review process, noting the increased attention to LGBT issues in regional human rights fora, encouraging the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue addressing LGBT issues, and calls for states to end criminal sanctions based on LGBT status."

The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 states that aims to strengthen and protect human rights worldwide.

ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association is a non-government observer at the United Nations with Consultative status. ILGA is the world's largest and oldest Federation with more than 600 affiliates, including Kentucky Equality Federation, worldwide.

Kentucky Equality Federation extends StoryCorps partnership to include Lexington

Lexington, KY - Kentucky Equality Federation extends its partnership with StoryCorps to highlight the lack of equality in both Central and Southern Kentucky.

Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 30,000 interviews from more than 60,000 participants. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share, and is preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind, and millions listen to our weekly broadcasts on National Public Radio's Morning Edition.

Kentucky Equality Federation and StoryCorps will visit Whitesburg, KY from April 21st - May 14th. (previous story)

Kentucky Equality Federation and StoryCorps will also visit Lexington, KY on June 04, June 05, June 10, and June 19th.

Arrangements were made between StoryCorps and Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer.

For additional information, call (877) KEF-5775 - Ext. 1 or use our online contact form.

To participate, contact us at: www.kyequality.org, and select "Participate with Kentucky Equality Federation and StoryCorps."

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Please contact Chairman Richard T. Jones, President Jordan Palmer, or the Public Relations and Media Director Josh Koch at (877) KEF - 5775 - Ext. 1.

StoryCorps Restrictions: Members of the press are not allowed inside the booth once tape begins rolling. with the participant's permission, you can observe, photograph, and/or film the participants getting ready in the booth and doing sound check beforehand. You will also be able to observe and shoot from outside the window during the interview (when available). Print reporters may listen to the interview on headphones from the waiting area (when available) and ask questions before or after the interview, as arranged.