Kentucky's Gay Politics

Kentucky Equality Federation drops the Libertarian Party of Kentucky like a hot teabag

2011-05-21T21:49:00.000-07:00

Kentucky Equality Federation drops the Libertarian Party of Kentucky like a hot teabag

2011-05-21T21:43:00.000-07:00

From Kentucky Equality Federation:

Lexington, KY -- Kentucky Equality Federation today officially terminated a strategic alliance with the Libertarian Party of Kentucky today that began on April 10, 2008. (previous press release) This announcement is being released by Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer.

"Until recently we had open dialogue with the Libertarian Party of Kentucky and they rallied with us in favor of amending the Kentucky Civil Rights Act of 1966 to include sexual orientation and gender identity," said Palmer. "Since the leadership changed, we have had extensive communication gaps with the new leaders of the party. This distance has caused us great concern as we have watched the Libertarian Party of Kentucky become increasingly under the influence of the amorphous Tea Party elements whose anti-equality rhetoric is alarming."

Speaking for the Board of Directors, Chairman Richard T. Jones agreed with the decision which came directly from the Office of the President on the advice of several Regional Directors and confidential political advisers. (Board Resolution - Role of the Chairman and the Office of the President)

"Until recently, the Libertarian Party of Kentucky condemned anti-equality and homophobic comments made by politicians who the media associated as being part of the Libertarian Party of Kentucky," Jones said. "We sincerely hope that they will renew their commitment to the cause of equality by being an influence on their allies, rather than distancing themselves from beliefs they once held dear by standing united with us to bring equality to Kentucky."

Palmer continued: “Kentucky Equality Federation Regional Directors, Assistant Regional Directors, Outreach Directors, and stand-by volunteers requested the Office of the President reevaluate our alliance with the Libertarian Party of Kentucky. In doing so we realized there are far too many Tea Parties factions in the Commonwealth who oppose equality and associate themselves as being part of the Libertarian Party of Kentucky; it is the responsibility of the Libertarian Party of Kentucky to confirm or deny their affiliations, which they have failed to do. We however will not have a standing alliance with any organization which opposes social and political equality or have not made their positions clear."

Alaska Governor Palin Resigning

2009-07-03T13:44:00.001-07:00

As much as she disapproved of the gay community, I am sure Palin resigning as Governor of Alaska comes as relief to its gay community:

"Once I decided not to run for re-election, I also felt that to embrace the conventional Lame Duck status in this particular climate would just be another dose of politics as usual, something I campaigned against and will always oppose," Palin said in a statement released by her office.

"It is my duty to always protect our great state. With that in mind, my family and I determined that it is best to make a difference this summer, and I am willing to change things, so that this administration, with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future, can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success," she said.

Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the governor's picnic in Fairbanks at the end of the month, Palin spokesman Dave Murrow said.

Palin was first elected in 2006 on a populist platform. But her popularity has waned as she waged in partisan politics following her return from the presidential campaign. Her term would have ended in 2010.

Selfish Kentucky Gay Rights Organizations - Time for Gay Humility?

2009-06-27T16:30:00.005-07:00

The 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, which began the gay liberation movement, known in gay circles simply as “Pride,” will be particularly emotional because of the gay marriage avalanche. While gays and lesbians have much to be proud of (such as early health organizing around the devastating AIDS epidemic), gay history since Stonewall is unfortunately stained with selfishness and arrogance, traits that ironically were once themselves called pride — back when that wasn’t a compliment.

The Lexington Fairness Awards by Lexington Fairness are a complete joke, and so is the fact that a bigot like Jody Cofer continues to be on the Board of Kentucky Fairness Alliance. Jody, plus the former executive director who now works for the homophobic Lt. Governor (which Kentucky Fairness Alliance sent out an email endorsing) and the endless broken promises make it easy for gay Kentuckians to hate Kentucky Fairness Alliance. But it is not over, we have yet larger ego's at Louisville Fairness Campaign and Kentucky Equality Federation.

Louisville Fairness Campaign issues a press release to try to make the news if someone burps, and Kentucky Equality Federation is so focused on grassroots organizing, they ignore everything else.

We can count on Kentucky Fairness Alliance for never ending social hours to try to take your money (perhaps to pay another executive director who will defect to the enemy camp). The icing on the cake is Craig Cammock who thinks he is something special simply because he started a Facebook group (but this failed to get a higher turnout at this years rally in Frankfort).

To examine the gay community’s self-absorption, look no further than the event celebrated this month that has been commemorated with parades for four decades: the “Stonewall Rebellion.” Why is it that in all that time no gay leader has acknowledged that there were non-gay victims at that event, which we should regret, if not apologize for? Stonewall was sparked by a legitimate bar raid on an unlicensed, Mafia-run drinking establishment. The gay “heroes” threw glass bottles and bricks at police and at one point tried to light the building on fire while people were still inside. Even if one celebrates Stonewall’s repercussions for sparking feelings of gay pride and leading to nationwide community organizing, shouldn’t we acknowledge that our self-esteem doesn’t have to come at the expense of other people’s safety?

To the credit of Louisville Fairness Campaign and Kentucky Equality Federation, they have both made bold efforts to try to work with other organizations, but no one listened.

Gay esteem has innocent victims, and I believe it’s time to balance out gay pride with some gay humility.

Kentucky Equality Federation defends Franklin County Students

2009-05-05T08:49:00.004-07:00

Over the weekend gay blogs across the nation highlighted a press release issued by Kentucky Equality Federation about gay students not being about to use the restroom. Is this for real?

One parent is even quoted in the press release:

"My daughter was involved in a protest at Franklin County High School today for their right to use the restroom," stated Michelle Sexton.

The press release is here.

Talk about crazy!

So, two lesbian students kissed and the entire school went crazy. Well this is 2009 and we are not so in the closet anymore like you all want us to be, so sorry.

People for and against lesbian students kissing in the school has people slugging it out on Kentucky Equality Federation's press release (you can comment on them).

Compensation paid to leaders of the LGBT rights movement

2009-03-28T21:53:00.011-07:00

I found this on Southern Voice who has the same owner as the Washington Blade and this is appalling. Perhaps we as a community should only vote to volunteer organizations. Should you be paid to fight for your own rights? And, if you are paid, should you be paid hundreds of thousands of dollars?

VOTE IN THE POLLS TO THE RIGHT

Craig Shniderman, executive director of Food & Friends, which provides meals and nutritional services for homebound people with HIV/AIDS in the Washington, D.C. area, had the highest salary among the heads of the nation’s most prominent LGBT advocacy groups and groups that provide AIDS-related services in Los Angeles, New York and D.C.

A survey of the compensation paid to heads of 30 LGBT and AIDS organizations, conducted by the Washington Blade, shows that Shniderman had a total salary and benefits package of $382,200 in 2008, the latest period for which the organizations’ salary and annual revenue data could be obtained for a completed fiscal year.

Shniderman’s earnings placed him ahead of Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign. Solmonese, who ranked second in the salary survey, received a total compensation package of $338,400 in 2008.

Shniderman’s salary also topped that of Lorri Jean, executive director of the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, which had revenue of $48.5 million in 2008 and had nearly 300 employees compared to Food & Friends’ annual revenue of $7.9 million and 50 employees.

The L.A. Center’s $48.5 million was the highest among all the LGBT and AIDS groups in the survey. HRC had the second highest annual revenue among the 30 groups: $41.4 million. Equality California, the statewide group that coordinated the unsuccessful effort to oppose an anti-gay marriage amendment, came in third, with a 2008 figure of $24.5 million.

Geoff Kors, Equality California’s executive director, had a 2008 compensation of $171,000.

The 30 national LGBT and AIDS groups are among the thousands of nonprofit organizations in the United States that must file annual reports with the IRS disclosing financial information, including the salaries of their chief operating officers.

In conducting the survey, the Blade asked the 30 organizations to disclose the salaries for their CEOs or executive directors for 2008 — the most recently completed fiscal year — as well as for the current fiscal year of 2009. The IRS 990 financial disclosure forms for nonprofit organizations do not become publicly available for two years, with the 2007 IRS forms being the latest year that the disclosure forms can be obtained by the press or public.

According to information compiled by two watchdog organizations that monitor salaries and other finance-related data of nonprofit organizations — Guidestar and Charity Navigator — some of the salaries of the leaders of the 30 LGBT and AIDS groups surveyed by the Blade, on average, were comparable to salaries of non-LGBT civil rights and “social action” groups with a similar revenue figure.

However, a number of the groups surveyed by the Blade offered higher salaries for their CEO or executive director than similar non-LGBT groups tracked by Guidestar and Charity Navigator.

In the report, organizations with an annual budget greater than $5 million pay CEOs on average $196,531, with CEOs who make $320,212 landing near the top in the 90th percentile for compensation.

HRC’s Solmonese took a voluntary pay cut of 10 percent, lowering his total compensation from $338,400 to $302,200, according to HRC.

The Louisville Fairness Campaign is likely paying Chris Hartman the new director of the organization between $50,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year.

Kentucky Fairness Alliance had a paid staff until they failed to raise money during their social hours. Now they have no one and from what I understand they are close to bankrupt [the part about them being bankrupt may not be true it is only a rumor].

Kentucky Equality Federation and Lexington Fairness have no paid staff.

The complete report is below and I have highlighted with a pink arrow gay rights organizations that Kentuckians may currently be donating to. You need to know what your money is really being spent on.

Tell me you do not think this salaries are OUTRAGEOUS:

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO MAKE THEM LARGER!!!

VOTE IN THE POLLS TO THE RIGHT

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO MAKE THEM LARGER!!!

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO MAKE THEM LARGER!!!

VOTE IN THE POLLS TO THE RIGHT

Recap [Senate Bill 68, Family Foundation of Kentucky, Kentucky Equality Federation, and the Louisville Fairness Campaign

2009-03-11T09:21:00.003-07:00

I have not felt well enough to post recently but a recap is below.

Senator Gary Tapp, R-Shelbyville admits that Senate Bill 68, a controversial bill to ban unmarried couples from becoming foster or adoptive parents (secretly an attack on the gay community) is dead. [view]

Family Foundation of Kentucky attacks Kentucky Equality Federation [view] and claims to have received no notice from the Senate Committee about the rushed meeting to pass [view] Senate Bill 68.

A Kentucky conservative blog outlines other disappointments they all faced in the 2009 General Assembly. [view]

Protests outside the California Supreme Court:

Kentucky Senate Bill 68 the Gay Adoption Ban (call it what it really is) advances

2009-03-05T20:36:00.004-07:00

The Senate Judiciary Committee gave unanimous approval this afternoon to a bill that would ban unmarried couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents in Kentucky and it now goes to the full Senate.

This is nothing short of an attack against the gay community of Kentucky regardless of what they attempt to disguise it as.

Responses from our gay rights organizations:
"SB 68 is moving forward. The Senate Judiciary Committee Chairperson, Sen. Stivers, called a surprise meeting just moments ago to hear two bills. One of those was Senate Bill 68 ("Divisive Child Welfare Act"). Sadly, the Committee passed the bill favorably after hearing testimony only from the bill's sponsor, Sen. Tapp, and a representative of the Family Foundation of Kentucky." - Kentucky Fairness Alliance (by email)

- The Family Foundation of Kentucky? Give me a BREAK! I must point to a statement recently made by Kentucky Equality Federation last month: With national divorce rates rising because of layoffs, increases in daycare, and an economy in the tank, one would think a 'family oriented organization' would be focused on economic solutions to help take the stress off couples (such as using their money to provide free daycare instead of lobbying Frankfort against domestic partner benefits, and using children as political pawns). But, instead, they continue to focus on keeping a minority group of families from having the same civil liberties and protections as the majority.

"It is a disgrace that members of Kentucky's Senate are using children as political pawns against the gay and lesbian population of Kentucky," stated Kentucky Equality Federation's Managing Director, Laura Reed. "Kentucky Equality Federation believes the legislation will die in the House of Representatives should it pass the full Senate." (website)

The Fairness Campaign and others call the bill a thinly veiled attack on gay people, which Tapp denies [well of course he does].

Senate Bill 68 would actually apply to anyone cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of marriage.

Lexington Fairness has yet to issue a statement as has Equality Northern Kentucky (I am beginning to think they are just a website, nothing has been updated on the Equality Northern Kentucky site since December 2008). Lexington Fairness does have a nice letter on their homepage: "There are those among us that love attention and drama. When they have neither, they tend to throw immature fits to get what they want. You know someone like this … or you are that person."

Just what Kentucky needs - to punish children because Republican legislatures don't like gay people. How do these people get elected to office? Does anyone vote anymore? I am beginning to feel like I live in Alabama, Mississippi, or Florida (Dixie Country, the Deep South)!

Is There a Rift in the Gay Community Based on Race?

2009-03-04T20:10:00.000-07:00

This is the question asked by a Louisville website: http://www.fleurdelez.com/2009/03/hot-topic-is-there-a-rift-in-the-gay-community-based-on-race

Being gay comparable to murder? What?

2009-02-25T21:17:00.004-07:00

I just found this article: During a congressional debate on Monday, Colorado state Senator Scott Renfroe made remarks comparing homosexuality to murder and adultery. Renfroe spoke during a debate over statewide legislation that would provide benefits to the same-sex partners of state employees. His remarks, which have been condemned by the Human Rights Campaign, included calling homosexuality an abomination, an offense to God, and a sin comparable to murder and adultery.

11th Commandment: Thou shalt not be homosexual?

Theatric blogger continues assaults on Kentucky's statewide gay rights organizations

2009-02-23T22:55:00.010-07:00

I must admit that I was wrong, Jacob Payne has blasted Kentucky Fairness Alliance in addition to Kentucky Equality Federation.

While Kentucky Equality Federation does not have 'social hours' to raise funds non-profits must do this to survive (like Kentucky Fairness Alliance). See below:

Who exactly does Payne think he is, and why is he so determined to bring down both statewide gay rights organizations in Kentucky? This was Payne's first threat to Kentucky Equality Federation:

United We Stand posted a link to a blog that someone else posted and Page On Kentucky (www.pageonkentucky.com) or Jacob Payne try to act like it was Kentucky Equality that wrote it. They only provided a link to it as the first person here pointed out.

Investigation huh? Like the one that Kentucky Equality and Jordan Palmer settled just to avoid going to court? Kentucky Equality had good reason to revoke funding to the gay straight alliances these people are college students. "You see Jacob; you DO NOT have all the documents! We did nothing wrong, that is why it was in the civil division, NOT criminal. Rather than waste money on a legal defense, I decided to pay it so it goes to LGBTI organizations instead of the AG’s Office. This time Jacob, you have crossed the line."

Actually, Mr. Palmer, Jacob Payne has crossed the line many, many times. His blog is anything but professional and he uses curse words on a regular basis. Very unprofessional.

Jacob Payne then calls state employees a bank of state employees who will protect him? Is he saying a bank of state employees because they can be bought?

Sorry Payne, this is too good not to forward to the feds. We will see if they have people in the bank also (your words not mine). I can assure you the answer is no.

Who in the world in Kentucky government help Jacob Payne anyway? He trashes everyone!

Update: A comment below pointed out that Payne also hates HRC, short for Human Rights Campaign. Does he like any gay organization? What is his problem with gay people? I thought he was gay!

Watch out Lexington Fairness and Fairness Campaign in Louisville it is only a matter of time before you become a target for drama.

Local Kentucky Lutheran's to also decide about gay/lesbian clergy?

2009-02-22T11:36:00.004-07:00

Noting specific divisions within the Lutheran church over gay and lesbian clergy presiding over congregations, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) task force recommended a policy that will be considered at their biannual convention in August 2009. The proposed policy would allow local congregations to decide whether or not those in “lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships” would be allowed to lead as clergy.

Gays and lesbians can now serve as clergy in the ELCA if they remain celibate, although some have challenged the system and hired pastors who are in same-sex relationships.

Opposing views in the church claim that homosexuality is a sin, basing their arguments on individual interpretations of the Bible.

Massive opposition to Senate Bill 68 - A Facebook Hero?

2009-02-22T08:35:00.004-07:00

Craig Cammack is a gay male living in Lexington, KY. He has been with his partner for 7 years, but few people probably heard of him until a couple of weeks ago.

Then, like Amy Balliet and Willow Witte who jointly founded 'Join the Impact' and organized a major national protest (in November 2008 after California voters approved the ban on same-sex marriage), Craig Cammack exploded.

Amy Balliet and Willow Witte started Join the Impact by using a free Wiki on WetPaint. Likewise, Craig Cammack started a free Facebook group which now has over 4,000 members to Stop Senate Bill 68.

Cammack has been recognized by Kentucky Equality Federation for his contribution with a 'special thank you' on their event page, he has been contacted by the Human Rights Campaign, and Cammack even made the news here in Lexington.

The only question that lingers is will Cammack’s Facebook Group fade as quickly as Join the Impact, or the Kentucky Chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans?

No matter what the future holds for him, he deserves recognition and big hug for his efforts. Of course, if Jacob Payne at pageonekentucky.com finds out about the good work Cammack is doing, Cammack could become Payne's next political target.

Page One Kentucky Posts Trash

2009-02-19T00:15:00.007-07:00

With people like Jacob Payne at Page One Kentucky (www.pageonekentucky.com) posting trash about great organizations such as Kentucky Equality (Kentucky Equality Federation) the gay community here in Kentucky is doomed to failure.

This person has no idea (neither do we) what 'went down' between Kentucky Equality and these gay straight alliances yet Jacob seems ready to jump the gun and divide our community (even though Kentucky Equality is paying them and they did not have to do this they could have gone to court). Any organization can void a grant or the promise of money in times of economic hardship. How many grants have dried up from Ford, GM, AT&T, etc?

Payne at Page One Kentucky has targeted Kentucky Equality for a longtime and favored Kentucky Fairness Alliance........is he a 'gay in name only' Republican?

Hey Kentucky Equality, if you decide to sue, count me in because he is not professional and is a disgrace to other bloggers, this is pure slander. What a pervert.

The wish to hurt, the momentary intoxication with pain, is the loophole through which the pervert climbs into the minds of ordinary men.

Mr. Payne go back to the cave you crawled out of. You will not destroy the organizations here that work such as Kentucky Equality Federation, Louisville Fairness Campaign, or KFA.

Kentucky Fairness Alliance Leader Resigns

2009-02-17T11:26:00.004-07:00

Kentucky Fairness Alliance announced today their Executive Director, Christina Gilgor had resigned.

Gilgor has apparently accepted the position of Finance Director for Lt. Governor Dr. Dan Mongiardo’s 2010 campaign for the U.S. Senate seat (currently held by Sen. Jim Bunning).

I guess no one is currently behind the wheel at KFA, but not to worry, Kentucky Fairness Alliance has a Board of Directors to watch things until they find a replacement.

Good luck Ms. Gilgor!

Statewide Rally in Frankfort

2009-02-12T14:12:00.000-07:00

KENTUCKIANS VALUE FAIRNESS

Statewide Rally
Capitol Rotunda, Frankfort

February 25, 2009
8:30 am: Meeting and Lobby Training in Capitol Annex 111
9 am-Noon: Meet with Legislators
12:30-1:30 pm: Rally in Rotunda

Show your legislators you support a statewide Fairness law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

SPONSORS: ACLU of Kentucky, commonGround (UofL), Fairness Campaign, B-GLAD (Centre), Kentucky Equality Federation, GLASS (Bellarmine) CFAIR (Louisville), Kentucky Fairness Alliance, and Lexington Fairness.

Fairness Campaign Hires First Director

2009-02-06T00:50:00.001-07:00

From Louisville Fairness Campaign

Following a period of strategic planning and organizational renewal, along with the establishment of an endowment, the Fairness Campaign has hired its first Director, Chris Hartman, who will oversee fundraising, communications, leadership development, and legislative strategy for the almost two-decade old civil-rights organization.

A Louisville native and graduate of Bellarmine University and St. Xavier High School, Hartman most recently worked as Congressman John Yarmuth's 2008 campaign Press Secretary. He served in 2005 as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) in St. Louis, Director of Philadelphia's Grassroots Fundraising for the Democratic National Committee in 2004's Presidential Election, and as Producer and Founder of performance companies Project Improv * St. Louis and Louisville. Hartman holds a Master's degree in Drama from Washington University in St. Louis, where his thesis, Stage Families of Choice: Emergence, Evolution, and Future of the American Gay Male Family on Stage, focused on American gay male family history and analysis.

The role of Director is the second to be filled by Fairness in under a year. Last July, the organization hired Administrative Coordinator Erica Dolinky, who manages the office, constituent communications and works to foster volunteer engagement and membership recruitment. Dolinky recently mentored at-risk college students in southern Colorado and worked for over a decade with Boys and Girls Clubs of Scottsdale, Arizona. She holds a degree in Fine Arts and a minor in Women and Gender Studies from Arizona State University.

The Fairness Campaign celebrates this year the 10th anniversary of the landmark passage of Louisville's first Fairness Amendment by the Board of Aldermen on January 26, 1999. Currently, Fairness is teaming with Kentucky Fairness Alliance and other ally organizations to promote the passage of a statewide Fairness law, prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations. A statewide Fairness lobby day in Frankfort is planned for February 25; more information will follow.

GOOD LUCK CHRIS

Why Gay Marriage Was Defeated in California

2008-11-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

I am so disappointed and disturbed.

Gay activists cannot claim they didn't have the money to wage the California fight.

According to an analysis of the most recent reports from the California Secretary of State, the pro-equality side raised an astonishing $43.6 million, compared with just $29.8 million for those who succeeded in keeping gays from marrying. The money the gay side raised is surprising for two reasons: first, the cash-Hoover known as the Obama campaign was sucking down millions of dollars a day from the nation's liberals. Many gays expected it to be difficult to raise money to fight Proposition 8 and its plan to outlaw same-sex marriage from Democrats eager to give to Obama and to the outside 527 groups supporting him. As recently as August, one of the nation's top gay political givers told me that he expected the gay side to raise no more than $25 million.

Kentucky's Gay Organizations are as divided as ever

2008-10-28T09:09:00.003-07:00

As the 2008 election nears, Kentucky’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community remains as divided as ever.

Nationally, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has been battling protests around the country for leaving the transgender community out of critical federal legislation.

In Kentucky, the Kentucky Equality Federation and the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, the largest statewide LGBT advocates remain at arms length. Their relationship, from the beginning has always been strained; Kentucky Equality Federation was, after all, founded by former members of Kentucky Fairness Alliance. In recent months however, I noticed Kentucky Equality Federation has been promoting or sponsoring selective Kentucky Fairness Alliance events.

In the midst of problems between Kentucky Equality Federation and Kentucky Fairness Alliance, the Fairness Campaign, which predates both organizations, continues separate work in Louisville.

This year, two new organizations sprouted, after once being chapters of Kentucky Fairness Alliance: Lexington Fairness, and Northern Kentucky Equality.

Perhaps individual cities having their own organizations will work best, since they can focus exclusively on the mayor, city councils, school districts, etc. and push an equality-for-all agenda while the statewide organizations can focus on the Kentucky House of Representatives, the Senate, and play a role in federal politics.

This year, individuals deliberately tried (and succeeded) in tearing apart alliances between Kentucky’s GLBT organizations based on supposition, innuendo, and self-serving (and indeed, self-defeating) interests.

Unless you are friends with someone who is GLBT, you probably haven’t heard the saying, “gay drama.” Well, I’ll break it to you like this, nothing I have ever witnessed compares to the intense emotions felt in gay drama.

My advice, sign-up for alerts and emails from both statewide organizations and give money to the one (or both) you think is headed in the right direction. If you live in a city that has its own local GLBT organization, sign-up for alerts from them also.